[BLOG POST 8/6/24] If you are observant dear reader, then you've noticed that I haven't written a blog post in a while. That's because I'm feeling "crispy" - as in burned out/stressed.
I think it's a combination of hot weather, bug bites, plant "bites" (on a recent hike I walked "off piste" and ran afoul of several plants with thorns), and feeling spread too thin. Let me explain...
My upcoming "Rattlesnake" show is very exciting but my "to do" list gets longer and longer every day. And every item on the list has a deadline associated with it. Generally speaking deadlines don't bother me but they do raise my stress level somewhat. For the show I have lots of deadlines for stuff like printing flyers, informational signs, and show books. Then there is writing and distributing press releases, and sending invitations, and more. Doing everything to make the artwork and then to promote the show is a lot of work for one person.
I've also been painting a mural for our backyard fence which is approximately 60' long and 6' high (below is a recent photo):
It is taking a very long time.
Primarily because I can only work in the mornings. After 12:30pm/1pm it is too hot, there is no shade, and the paint dries too quickly. And because I'm putting a lot of effort and detail into every element of the mural it takes a long time. I just can't stop myself from adding shadows, highlights, flowers, grass, etc.
Additionally my patience for noise pollution in the form of loud cars/motorcycles going by, strangers interrupting my work, and annoying flys and other insects all combine to making me want to go inside quickly. Like by 10am!
Gratefully the mural is looking nice and I have received a lot of compliments on it from community members. Hopefully I'll finish it by the end of August _ just in time for the "Rattlesnake" show opening (creating yet another deadline 😉).
Then there are my paid gigs (remote data entry, dog/cat care) and my volunteer gigs (the local arts council and the NM Women in the Arts) all of which have been asking for a lot of extra time lately. And I'm doing a live demo of painting a portrait for the Pastel Society of New Mexico in a few days that I'm a little nervous about because I've never done a live demo before. Fingers crossed it goes well.
Anyway, that's why I'm feeling crispy and haven't written much lately.
I hope your summer is calmer and more relaxed! And if not, well then I'm glad to have some "crispy" company! 😊
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