My work is still going on …..

These days I worked a lot within the ‘mixed media’ range. By using paper, gel medium, old table clothes that I found in Karjaa at a flee-market, making photo-transfers and adding threads of wool or cotton, preferably by the sewing machine.

The results up till now are hanging at one of the walls in my studio.

And am I satisfied …. hmmm, I am not so sure about it ….

Often there is that inner voice that gives already its judgement before the defined result is visible. And hearing that voice and perhaps even listening to it, won’t bring me anything! I know by experience and I almost could say …. who doesn’t, especially being an artist.

As an artist you always, or anyway, most of the times, want to achieve something unique, something that has never been done before. Or you are telling yourself, that you want to accomplish a higher standard for your work, or you want to get a lot of money out of your new art-project or art-product. 

Well, let me tell you, that every piece that comes out of your hands, every time, over and over again, is unique! Because you made it and you are unique in your whole being. 

So how easy would it be, not paying attention to that inner judgement your brains or your head is making about you and your work, whatever you are doing or making. It’s about the connection between your hart, your hands and your body as a whole, not your brains exclusively.

I know, easy talking about these things without knowing where you are heading for as an artist or how to gain some income or buy new supplies. And at the same time it’s also about trust and self-esteem, tenderness and being gentle towards yourself. All these things make it more easy being present and connect with your hands and your body.

It only takes awareness of this and going in to my studio every morning!! 

And the good news is, I am not the only one who has these experiences. The chats with my fellow artists-in-residence prove in a way that we are all in the same kind of process. Heading for this AiR we all made our plans but once being at the place, we notice that we sometimes need a rest of all the preparation and the planning, that we need to go out to by our food and groceries, that we have to do our laundry but also keep up whit the socials – although sometimes reduced to a minimum because of the distraction. 

So it’s just like in ‘normal’ life only searching for the right balance.