On February 28th, we all received the new blog post from Alyson Stanfield from Art Biz Success “How to Decide Whether to Take on a New Project or Not.”
After reading the article and comments, I realized this post was very timely. A significant topic because of my overwhelming new life style as a nomad.
As I mentioned in past posts — a self-employed artist/entrepreneur wears many hats, which means you exercise the freedom to decide how to manage your chosen career. For some of us this creates a dilemma!
At this point in my life and career, it is critical to decide which activity/opportunity is for me. Superwoman, no way, and there are not enough hours in a day for me to accomplish everything I would embrace or require to achieve. How do you find time to write your blog posts in between your many activities? To the ones who do, kudos to you! I salute you!
In the past, there always seemed to be time to set up lots of activities to satisfy my life. Back in Canada, for many years, I was an art teacher at a local college; giving workshops and private lessons were also enjoyable. Every moment I would be in my studio or training our Topaz. When we moved to the US, I alloted lots of time to my work. This granted me the freedom to create and distribute my books; to participate in national and international exhibitions; and attend workshops to help advance my work. Subsequently, at the end of 2015, I started blogging to meet and communicate with other likeminded artists.
© 2017 Michael Sutton. Feeling my way around new ideas.
Does It Feel Right?
Being on the move constantly and with diligent work, favourable circumstances have come my way. For all we know, getting older, shortens time and the moments in between are non-existent, which intensifies the feeling of being pulled in many directions! With at least three artists’ books on the go, meeting artists and library contacts while traveling, writing Half Measure Studio Blog posts, blogging about my personal journey, and of course life in general. “Where to start?”, is often the question.
Traveling for almost two years, the decisions I make depend significantly on locals and timing. I feel overwhelmed and not getting any closer to finishing a recent artists’ book!
Half Measure Studio Blog may no longer serve my goals. Am I weary? Maybe! Or is life interfering with art again? — This is a puzzle.
Half Measure Studio Blog remains a great project. When I moved to Boise, Idaho, from Salt Lake City, Utah, blogging provided me a platform to express ideas and converse about studio activities, binding, concepts, and feature other artists...
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Balancing work on a new artists’ book Surveillance and writing this post.
Is This Aligned With My Goals?
After reading Alison’s questions, I’m unsure that blogging brings me closer to my goals. I’m reflecting on what my posts are conveying to fellow artists especially to myself? Continuing to share information could be done with enthusiaism if time invested would balance the creation of artists’ books. It’s been two weeks since my last post and I’m NOT particularly looking forward to writing another. Wait! That’s what I’m doing now, the article must be inspiring me.
I enjoy the communication and comments (online and/or offline), but my gut tells me this may not be the correct path. I wouldn’t want to give up on a long-time project which opened so many doors. But, a change of lifestyle (which has generated many creative ideas) and adding a monthly personal traveling blog has made it difficult to accomplish the realization of my ideas.
Reflection of my career goals for 2019 is in order: spending time writing, communicating or creating artists’ books? What project could offer me a connection with the art world as much as blogging did?
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Enjoying the development of Surveillance.
What is the potential for profit?
Earning a living is a priority, since I have been unable to publish new books, soon the inventory and the profits will disappear, the money is always part of the equation for me, but my inventory is whittling down. And, I miss the hands on projects. Could blogging offer some financial compensation? How does it work and are donations worth it?
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Image for my new artists’ book Surveillance.
What opportunities could it lead to?
At the moment, the most critical question, for me, is — “Would blogging once a month instead of weekly, allow me time to rethink my work, find different goals, dream of new concepts, find a new way of creating while traveling, re-organize a studio space?” Hopefully, the results will open doors to other opportunities. I trust I will benefit wholeheartedly from the time producing my books, which is my first love.
One should constantly be inspired and enthusiastic about their art career/work. Time is precious, we need to allow moments to flow, for life to bring good tidings our way.
Therefore, with all this introspection, Half Measure Studio Blog will be posted only once a month, till I find the balance needed for my work. See you soon... Louise
© 2015 Louise Levergneux. Sunset in Avimor, Idaho.