Matisse

I found this quote by Matisse while at the art museum this past weekend.

"There is only one thing that counts in the long run: you have to abandon yourself to your work. You have to give yourself over entirely, without thoughts, especially without afterthoughts. Only then does your work contain you totally. You also have to forget completely that the work you have created whether it has really been seen or experienced or not will always be judged by others. "

Something I've been thinking about the past few days.

Quiet Time

I'm sitting in my apartment and it's oh so very quiet. I can only hear Chloe snoring and the sound of the washing machine in the basement.I've been doing a lot of work the past couple of days. I've gotten back into my studio and it feels so right. I'm working on some new paintings (although, I don't know what the subject is going to be) and I have also started a new, secret, project. I'm really happy with it so far, and I am looking forward to sharing it, once I work some more details out.
I'm really taking my time with this project too. I know for a long time I keep telling myself to slow down, take time to create. Sometimes I feel this mad dash to get new things made and listed in my Etsy shop. I get it in my head that I need to make, make, make, now, now, now. Like if I don't get something made and listed my shop is going to fall into oblivion.

I think it's important to list new items frequently, in order to drive traffic to your shop, but I am trying to let go of this now, now, now mentality. I want to be happy with the things I am making and I don't want to turn my art into some sort of production line.