Lots of more

Mandala 11252

I must be insane. I have sat at the computer all weekend organizing my computer files, specifically my contact list and my artwork inventory. I built spreadsheets and input data from the early hours to near midnight and would wake up early and do it again. I am into it. Getting control of my files makes me feel better. I will be a better person because of it. I will be able to stay in touch with people better. (Spoiler alert: look for an email in the near future…)

But some interesting information came out of my delving deeply into my art inventory. 2008 was a REALLY productive and prolific year. And I am starting to wonder if it was due to the mandala practice I maintained that year. I made mandalas every day, filling a 7″ circle with whatever would lead my hand. Choosing colors from my instinct, not my brain. Really being led by my higher power. In touch with the present, I could allow myself to just draw without inner criticism. The point was not to “make art” but to just get the hand moving and the brain out of the way. A warm up, a stretching exercise, if you will. The spiritual component was a part of it as well. I have 5 sketchbooks filled with mandalas and it’s fascinating to see a development of forms and patterns that emerged from deep within me.

So what did I do? I let my practice drop off. I haven’t made a mandala in over a year. I miss it. I think it’s time to get back in practice and stretch and see what comes up. Who knows, maybe I’ll have another prolific year.

More of less

different crop

Speaking of cropping and composition, I actually think I like this crop more, which is why it is my avatar for my blog. I do think I will do a painting of this, and maybe a series of prints, that could be cool. Once the ice thaws and I can get to the studio . . .

So not to let moss grow, I am working here on the computer these days instead, organizing my files and signing up for classes, planning my own classes for the spring and updating my mailing list. Why don’t you drop me an email if you would like to be on my mailing list or take a class with me: ccstaples@comcast.net. My mailing list got a bit messed up when my last hard drive failed and I have not really attended to it. Well now is the time! Especially since I just enrolled in a class with Alyson Stanfield, an art business coach, and we will be creating GOOD lists. So in terms of streamlining, I am investing in Bento, the database for the mac. I hate reinventing the wheel and have learned the hard way that sometimes you have to take the extra minute or two up front to save a LOT of time later. So I am working on my lists, organizing my files and integrating all my software –after all that’s what a mac does really well. I am making use of the technology so that I will be able to spend more time in the studio when it does thaw! I can’t wait. But in the meantime I am productive on the business end of things.