"A View from the Top"Oil on Canvas
30x40"
2008
Being an artist and working from home is great - my schedule is flexible, I do what I love, and I get to spend lots of time with my daughter. But sometimes working from home has it's drawbacks - when things get busy and stressful, there's no escaping the "office".
Back in my engineering days, if I had a stressful day at work I could at least come home and sort of forget about it for a while. When I've had a long day of painting, I come in from the studio to a house full of more work stuff. I've got framed paintings in the front room, works in progress on the mantle, my computer on the kitchen table, etc etc... Same goes for Nate since he works from home, and it's all magnified by the fact that we're living in a condo while we build our house, which means no dedicated office space for now.
Anyhow, the point is that it's been a busy month, and I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with various committments and just needing a break. I had some deadlines to meet this week and just felt like the paintings I was working on were a complete struggle, and I realized I just needed to get away from it for a bit. I think it's important for me to realize that my work can suffer when I get tired, and that especially in art, it's necessary to recharge sometimes to continue to do good work.
So, we booked a hotel room last minute and took a little drive over to Aspen to relax for a couple of days. It seems kind of funny to take trip to a resort town when we already live in one, but I just wanted a change of scenery, and Aspen is a familiar town where we can just hang out and chill for a couple of days.
So far, we had a lazy dinner and took Aspen swimming in the hotel pool. Plans for tomorrow include more of the same, and maybe a short drive or hike to take in the scenery. I'm debating whether I even want to visit any art galleries while we're in town, but I'm feeling the pull - that's why it's hard for me to actually take a real break from art!
Oh, and btw, it's funny to be here and have to explain to everyone that no, I did NOT name my daughter after the TOWN of Aspen, thank you very much. I mean, it's nice here, but really...
i have this problem a lot too stacey. i have work in every corner of the house, between my art, my graphic design, and my apparel business, i get overwhelmed as well. i think sometimes it's hard to take a day off because i know that i'm self-employed and i don't get a pay check unless i produce work. plus with a toddler, even a well planned day doesn't exactly go the way you wanted it too. even despite everything, it's all still worth it!
ReplyDeleteoh how i hear this! i also live in a resort town and have done the same thing--go to another nearby resort town--to get a break. working from home is great but it also means your work is always in your face and on your mind so a bit of an escape now and then helps clear your mind. nice work, as always!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed my first visit to your blog.
ReplyDeleteHave to say that you do THE most incredible water reflections!
Your paintings are so real. I really like them.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous painting Stacey!
ReplyDeleteFabulous work, Stacey!!! I will be following along!!
ReplyDeleteStacey, Stunning work! Take your time off without a second thought. Time off is essential. Carol
ReplyDeleteHey All - sorry I've been so bad about replying to your comments!! I was sick as a dog last week, and didn't have the energy for much of anything... Anyhow, I'm glad to hear that others experience the same thing when working from home. And thanks so much for the compliments on this painting!! It's a large version of an 18x24" I did a few years ago - I'd been dying to paint it on a larger scale for a while, and I finally got around to it.
ReplyDeleteStunning painting. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThis one is just breathtaking, Stacey.
ReplyDeleteLovely work Stacey.
ReplyDeleteI heartily sympathise with the 'every corner of the house' syndrome - me too!
So, what did you name your daughter Aspen after?
ReplyDeleteWell, we wanted to name her something sort of outdoorsy, and didn't like a lot of the typical plant and tree names (Willow, Iris, Rose, etc etc) so we thought of Aspen trees and how gorgeous and full of character they are, and we just thought it sounded pretty as a name. We had a lot of people who didn't like it, but I can't see her going by any other name at this point!
ReplyDelete