my frustrating mantra

and cheap art

slow
slow, slow, slow
and steady, with a great deal of care.

If my work had a mantra, that would be it.
It’s a frustrating mantra. 
I wish my mantra was:

light
light, light, light
and quick, with a great deal of ease.

But alas, it is slow and steady, with care.

So I persist. I spend years on degrees that are not art degrees and then decide to become a full time artist. I make a pot that turns out a bit too wonky, of little use. 
And then, I meander my way back to my formal education and training, weaving it into my work in beautiful ways I couldn’t have imagined. I iterate the design of my wonky pot, slowly crafting it into meaningful pieces, functional and joy provoking in many homes.
I follow the big, beautiful, frustrating process. I take deep breaths and sit down at my desk and do the work that needs to be done, even when it doesn’t make sense, even when it doesn’t pay. Spinning together a lot of work, a little luck, a dose of trust. I’m still in the swirl of it all, but I’m beginning to witness the unfolding of it all into something big and beautiful.

May we all keep sitting at our desks, in our studios, in our offices and continue to do the work. May we trust the meandering to unfold into beauty, even when it doesn’t yet make sense.

• CHEAP ART! like my mindful coloring pages :) i just added a new version of the jugs!

• As I make my way (slowly, steadily) through The Artist’s Way, I’m finding inspiration in uncovering new levels of creativity through the weekly tasks. In an effort to inspire creative unblocking, I’m sharing a short activity, and stepping into alternative lives. I hope you join me in becoming a paid subscriber <3