Saturday, November 8, 2008

Transitions

Indigo Horizon
Vern Broe

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you feel that, if you carry on the way you are for just one more day, you are wasting your precious time? Sometimes we operate on auto-pilot, going to work by the same route, doing a day's work, going home by the same route, getting up the next morning and doing it all over again.

"She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing."
— W. Shakespeare [Macbeth]

Yesterday at work I had what a lovely friend of mine so eloquently referred to as a "tipping point". It was only the manifestation of a deeper problem, and that is I am friggin' bored with the humdrum routine. I was blessed with certain talents that I have not had the opportunity to hone, one of them being drawing and painting. I am too exhausted at the end of the day, after doing my boring, mundane job, to pick up a pencil or a paint brush.

How sad is that?

Phinnaeus at the Tide Pool
Johanna
2000

I would love to be able to have time to take some art classes and to see just what artistic abilities I do possess. I would love to be able to dabble, and draw, and nourish the artistic part of my brain that keeps calling out to me, "What about me? What about me?" We all do what we have to do in order to maintain our lives, and in do so, we forget to nourish our spirits. It becomes all about taking care of business. I don't even have time to blog anymore. How sad is that?

Yesterday one of my ex-coworkers came to visit me at the office, and she asked, "So, how is everything?" and I replied, "Same old, same old..." and then I realized how awful that sounded, and how true it was. It takes courage to make a transition, especially when we are in a comfortable rut groove in our lives, but I think I'm going to do it. A little voice in my head keeps asking, "If not now, when?" So be prepared to see more of my attempts at art little drawings and paintings here on my blog, starting today.

29 comments:

Ruth W. said...

yes, I really understand your situation, I'm in the same one.
When are we going to change things???

Smalltown RN said...

I am so looking forward to seeing some of your paintings and drawings....good luck with your transition....

Anonymous said...

I can't help but think of Salvadore Dali's famous Temptations of Saint Anthony, where a hairy-legged St. Anthony looks up at a sky full of erotic wonders and he defiantly holds up a makeshift cross to fend the off the Playboy vision in the sky.

Ah how often we succumb. The vision may be art, but it can both tempt and deceive.

Three times, in the middle of a sucessful career, I would be tempted by the vision, abandon the vows, and give it all up for art.
Three times I have ended up as a factory worker or a janitor when the words, the painting, would not come out straight and clear.
And the lesson seemed so simple.
Don't give up your day job.
Yeah, the workaday can be a drag,but ending up with the reeks and wrecks of outrageous fortune, among the filthy, filthy too--ah doing the masochist tango!
I would say, plenty of time for art when you retire, which, I think, is soon.
That vision in the sky can be a mirage.

Deb said...

Jo, I love your work. You are very talented and I am so jealous.
Sometimes, mundane is fine with me. In fact, I relish mundane. As for me, things are a bit like a mix master at the moment. However, if boredom is stepping on your toes at work, find your sense of excitement after the work hours. You are such a creative writer and of course, talented artist.

Jo said...

Ruth, you and I are indeed kindred spirits, aren't we?

Mary Anne, thank you! I'm starting today... :-)

Ivan, perhaps you don't dare to take chances. The fortunate thing is, I don't have to work full time, so I am going to take this chance.

Deb, yes, sometimes we need to nurture the part of our spirits that we are most connected to. It's sad when we are too tired or don't have time, isn't it?

RiverPoet said...

How can you doubt for one second that you have talent? I love the painting of Phin that you shared. You are terrific with light, shading, and mood. A little guidance from an expert goes a very long way when there is already such a wealth of natural talent.

Don't waste a moment - Peace - D

Leslie: said...

I know what you're feeling because that is how I was feeling a couple of years ago - and why I made my transition into retirement. Now I have time to participate in the "fun" aspect of teaching by tutoring students one on one without the dull administrative aspects of the job. My mind is full and active and I've had time to develop a tiny little photography hobby. That is my "art" as although I'm creative in some aspects, the "art" doesn't flow out of my fingertips except in words.

JR's Thumbprints said...

hello i'm responding from my tv on a wii system. still, i can't fight the grayness of the day.

Anonymous said...

Ah - you have to make time in your life for what's important. It's too easy to get into a rut and get all comfortable there and bemoan the fact that you don't have time to live up to your full potential. Everyone is given the exactly the same amount of time -- it's up to you how you choose to spend it. I look forward to your art

meggie said...

Jo, I know just what you mean.
This past fortnight I have been too sick/recoverymode/busy, to take time to blog. I did cram a lot of other things into my days, once I was free of pain.
A change is as good as a holiday!

Carl said...

Hi Jo,

I do undestand. I would love to do my art full time. Someday I will. If you are in a place in your life where you can spend time on your Art go for it. Make sure to post your art work here. All of your blog buddies would love to see it.

Carl

Tess Kincaid said...

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your lovely art, Jo! I know exactly what you mean. I studied art in college, but it has collected a thick layer of dust on the shelf of my life.

Jo said...

Riverpoet, thank you! Yes, I would really like to see how far I can take it.

Leslie, you have a wonderful life! I would love to be able to do the things you do. Wishing, wishing... :-)

JR, you're blogging on your TV? I'm trying to find a wii, but I can't find one anywhere. *sigh*

XUP, yes, yes, yes!!! You are so right. Thank you! It is up to us to decide how we spend our time.

Meggie, oh, I agree. A change can be refreshing for the soul, can't it?

Carl, your art is so wonderful...! I can't believe you don't paint full time. It should be a necessity, not a luxury.

Willow, unfortunately my art has collected a thick layer of dust on the shelf of my life too. Let's blow the cobwebs away!

Country Girl said...

Bravo for you! I can't wait to see your paintings. I think it's wonderful that you are doing this for your soul.

roxanne s. sukhan said...

stumbled upon you quite by accident ~ serendipity, perhaps. love that painting. you are quite talented.

ahhh ~ the T word, transition. it seems we like to 'wait' for these things called change and transition to happen to us. then, eventually, we realize that we must make these things happen. its uncomfortable. really, really uncomfortable. maybe its supposed to be, just a little. besides, he who dies with the most toys, still dies.

speaking of transitions, i really think this city we live in is undergoing a huge one. its uncomfortable ... to say the least.

feed your soul. and share more of your creative genius with us ...

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Looking forward to seeing original Johanna art work.

Anonymous said...

Oh good for you. I know exactly what you mean - not regarding art work - but about getting stuck in a rut and letting life pass by without you doing what you want to do. I was like that for ages.

Do go for it. You'll be so pleased you did.

I have never regretted doing a bit more of what makes me happy and a bit less of other stuff and to be honest I don't think anyone else was bothered in the slightest.

Hilary said...

Good for you. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of your art.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

If there is one thing that I can't handle its routine. I get really bored doing the same thing over and over. My wife on the other hand is a sticker for routine. I try to take different routes to work most days and I would do anything to break the regular routine at work. The few times that I get to go away for work is a saving grace otherwise I would go mad. My mind is starting to wander again regarding work and possibly doing my own thing.
I love your artwork. It will be great to see more of it in the time to come.

Tess Kincaid said...

Hey, there's a little something waiting for you over at the manor!

Willow x o

Elizabeth said...

Yes, the Macbeth always resonated with me when I'm feeling down.
Sums it all up so well.
But drawing and painting and creating things is a sure fix for the doldrums.
Came here via WillowManor one of my favorite sites.

Charles Gramlich said...

You're exactly right, and as we get older the time becomes even more precious. I hope you do take some time to do more of your art. I've very much enjoyed all the pieces you've shown here. Delicate work with a lovely sensibility.

susie said...

Can't wait to see some more of your art. I have found that taking a class at the local community college forces me to put pencil or brush to paper, and keeps me going. Thank God for saturday classes! And remember, dishes and housework CAN wait. Do what's important to you first.

The Grandpa said...

Phinnaeus is an absolutely fantastic work. I found you from Willow's blog, but I definately will be coming back to see more of your art.

Russell said...

Don't ask yourself what you should do; ask yourself what you WANT to do.

Let your heart be your guide. Your mind will follow...

Anonymous said...

What Russel said. Right on.

Adventure girl said...

Good for you! Go for it girl!

Jo said...

CountryGirl, yes, we have to nourish our souls, don't we? It reminds me of Paul Gauguin (not that I am in his category *sigh*)

FrizzyScissorhands, welcome! I overheard someone saying the other day that every day we should always do something a little bit scary - something that challenges us.

LGS, thanks! I will be doing some, for sure. :-)

RB, you know, the time passes whether we are doing something we enjoy or not, doesn't it? So why not do something we enjoy?

Hilary, well, it will be fun taking more lessons. :-)

Firefly, you know, I can't stand routine either, and yet, I am stuck in it. There is something too safe and comforting about routine, and then all of a sudden it becomes soooooo boring.

Willow, I will be right over! :-)

Elizabeth, welcome! Yes, creativity is food for the soul, isn't it? It's a necessary part of our lives.

Charles, thank you! I would really like to develop a style, and just see how far I can go with it.

Susie, yes, I have taken some Saturday classes, and I plan to take some more, at least for the time being. Fun first, chores later. :-)

Grandpa, welcome, and thank you! Doing like watercolors is like meditation for me. It's necessary food for the soul.

Russell, oh, yes. I have spent my life being too practical. Time to let my heart be the guide. For sure!

Anonymous, yes! :-)

AdventureGirl, yes, if not now, when? Right?

Anonymous said...

try