Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday Showcase: A Fine Balancing Act

"Frosted Berries" by strawberrypaintbrush


Yesterday I took the afternoon off to clear my head and spend time with my sister. We met for coffee, split the most delicious sandwich at Old World Deli, and talked for three hours.

Yes, three hours. We didn't shop or even window shop; just sat there refilling our coffee mugs and shared what was going on in our lives.


I love down times when deadlines don't hang over me, and the pressure to keep those wheels turning backs off for a while. I'm fortunate, in that I don't have to brave the weather and office politics to generate income. I realize that the life of a freelancer is often misunderstood, though--especially when I blog about a leisurely lunch and time to chat for three hours. What you don't see here is the mad scramble to meet a deadline, or the middle-of-the-night wakefulness when I'm stepping too far ahead on the next project.

A freelancer's life doesn't end when the clock or the sun says it's time to stop. It takes grit to know when to begin and when to pull the plug on a day. Finding that fine balance sometimes takes years.  I'm both a writer and a photographer, and sometimes my heart stretches in the direction of work because I love it so much. Half the time it doesn't feel like work at all, and that's the problem!


I'd love to hear from fellow artists and writers, as to how you have reached that place of balance. Tell me when you realized it was a problem, and what you do to step away from your art and enforce a schedule that brings balance AND refreshment to your life.(If I see a middle-of-the-night timestamp on your post, I might wag my finger in your direction, so don't say I didn't warn you.)

Now, on with Friday Showcase. Here are six wonderful artists whose work made me sit up and take notice. Isn't it fun, discovering these talented people? I hope you'll visit their shop and let them know you appreciate their work.

Happy weekend!




Visit my Etsy shop for Fine Art, Gifts, and Home Decor


"Window Shopping" by folkartprintcards




















"Magical Dreamy" by inmostlight

















"Isabella and the Bear" by dkjarts

























"Strawberry" by selenavallejo


























"First Snow at the Lake" by lucysnowephotography

8 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie -

    Thanks for featuring my "Frosted berries" in your Friday Showcase! These are all beautiful winter picks!
    I fell in love with Isabella! :)

    My head too is constantly processing new art projects and dreaming up ideas.
    To get away, I spend a lot of time outside with my dogs, and if I really want to clear my head, a Yoga session works wonders for me. So peaceful! I focus on my body and balance so much (trying to avoid tumbling on my neighbors mat! :)), there is no room for any random thoughts to sneak in!
    The absolute "Me time" in a good sense.
    It's a wondeful way for me to recharge!

    Happy holidays and thanks again!
    Tina
    -strawberrypaintbrush

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  2. Wonderful post, Bonnie. Thanks so much for featuring my Window Shopping folk art print.

    Finding a balance is still something I am working on. I generally work from 7am until 8pm with only small breaks for meals. (FolkArtPrintsCards is my second Etsy shop, my first being DreamGallery.etsy.com, and most of my income is generated through gallery sales of original work) that precious time between 8 and 9pm, when I unwind with my husband, is my favorite time of the day!

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  3. Hi Bonnie,

    Thank your for including my work alongside this wonderful and peaceful group!
    As an artist, creating imagery becomes so second nature (and enjoyable) that it is almost impossible to separate your life from your "work".
    However, when I feel the need to relax my mind and step away form myself for a bit, I focus on the outside instead. I try to meet with friends, take walks, and being with my family always rejuvenates me :)

    Much appreciated!
    Selena

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  4. Thanks for stopping by, Selena, Suzanne, and Tina. I was happy to include your beautiful art in this Friday Showcase feature. Your art inspires me!

    Stop by my Etsy shop sometime:
    http://bbrunophotography.etsy.com

    Blessings,
    Bonnie

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  5. Lovely site Bonnie, so glad I stopped by for a visit, and now that I've discovered this jewel, I'll definitely be back.
    Blessings,
    Debra
    http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com

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  6. The last two really speak to me. Very pretty.

    -Rene

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  7. I still have yet to find the right balance. My husband calls me a "racehorse" because I go all out in these huge bursts of energy and then have to take downtime after (he's more of a "plowhorse"). I'm thinking maybe I just need to give myself permission to be the racehorse.

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  8. Hi Debra! So glad you stopped by. (Everyone, go treat yourself to Debra's beautiful blog:
    http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com)

    Rene, nice to see your smiling face! I hope you'll return soon.

    Cindy, yes, I KNOW those "huge bursts of energy" where I get up early and am still awake late. My mom always said it was because I was born at 2 a.m. but I think I need to spread the bursts out over a few days instead of trying to finish in one.

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So glad you stopped by!