2-18-2023

I’ve been reading a lot about practice- consistency, good habits, and doing the work.  Maybe it’s the new year, people starting fresh, thinking about new starts.  Kind of like going back to the gym after a hiatus.  (but that’s for another day-). They say that routine and consistent practice grows results in art.  So I’ve tried this February to show up every day and do something.  It also doesn’t hurt that it’s the shortest month of the year!

I’m a fan of Austin Kleon and have read all his books.  I have a little poster in my studio that he made that says: “Practice = Suck Less.  Practice every day, after 28 days, you will suck less”.  So that’s my plan.

I was also a little bored with my work, wondering which way to go. I’ve started working on what I’m calling the “woodpile” series. I’ve collected wood scraps for a long time, hoping to do something with them some day.  So in February, out they came.  I’m energized with cutting, sawing, and sanding.  It’s tactile and uses different skills than mixing paints.  I’m still painting- but in a different way but still working my grids. There’s a similarity between the two styles of work which makes sense.  It has taken me down a different path. I’ll see where it leads and maybe I’ll suck less.  And best of all it’s fun.

Oh, and an update: Baby Vincent was born in January.  He is beautiful. I have a new line in my CV- Grama Margit.  Maybe he’ll be an artist.