it's August - over & out!

hi everyone!

It's summer here in eastern Canada,

and a beautiful one at that.

The beaches are full of tanned bodies.

I've been in a slump lately

and since i believe we can all use a little down time now & then,

i'm taking a break from making art.

Today is the first day of August,

and I'm thinking I'll take all of August

to just float for a while instead of paddle.

To allow myself time away from the studio - guilt free.

without that little voice that says:

you should be blogging

you should draw something

you should write

you should paint...

Whenever the "shoulds" start creeping in,
I put on the brakes.
Whenever I start to feel like writing or making art is a chore -
it's time for a change or at least a break.
Pressured art = bad art.
At least for me it does.

I understand my creative cycle by now,
so it's easier to accept it.
Earlier in my career as a designer,
and then later as an artist,
whenever I'd hit a creative slump,
I remember feeling 
that maybe the well had gone dry.
Maybe I had no more ideas.
Maybe i'd never write anything
that made sense anymore.
Maybe I was done as an artist.

 I'm wiser than that now.

Art cannot be forced.
I love this quote by Paul Cézanne:
A work of art which did not begin in emotion
is not art.

Sometimes, we just need breathing space
& to give ourselves permission to say
"I'll do it when my heart feels like it".
Sometimes, we just need a change of focus.
A change of scenery.

So I've decided to do this: Susannah Conway's AUGUST BREAK.
A different perspective.
A new way of seeing the world...
I love how relaxed this whole thing is.
I suck at commitment,
so this is just perfect for me.
Snap a picture every day - or once a week - 
whatever your little heart desires.
Share it on Instagram - or not - whatever you want.
Post it on a blog - or not - it's up to you.
This is my kind of monthly challenge. ;-)
Absolutely commitment free.
It's a wonder i've ever accomplished anything in my life.
(I have!)
I'm starting to think
that perhaps we accomplish more
when we apply less pressure...

So there you have it.
I may end up posting again in 3 days,
or I may not.
If i disappear for a while,
please know that I haven't deserted you
and i'll be back when my muse calls again.

When I have something
that is worth sharing,
i'll share.
In the meantime, i'll be giving my heart and head
the space they need
to make stuff worth making.

Wishing you ALL a wonderful August...
Thanks for being here.
xx