Comments on: Art 24/7 and Finding Balance

By: Quilting Librarian

Quilting Librarian — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 22:31:04 +0000

I love your comments about balance and your comments on Dieter F. Uchdtdorf in a past blog. I have been a quilter and mother a wife and a library director in Utah and I have found that if you do a little at a time...you can accomplish a lot. I am not quilting at this moment since I am trying to learn to draw and do journal watercolor with Jane La Fazio online class. I can only so much this from a person who has always felt she had no drawing ability.

Sue Hill
Brigham City Utah

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:16:57 +0000

Lyric, Your struggle is one many of us have dealt with over the years. I am a senior citizen now and know of what you speak yet would not trade the time I spent raising three successful children for anything. I also had commitments through my husband's work but was able to stay home to raise the children and run the household, once having to move it four times in five years. I quilted with a grandmother when I was young, sewed clothing through my youth, sewed children's clothing and home goods in young adulthood, tried many, many crafts and arrived back at quilting when the children were beginning to leave home. I still struggle with balance because we moved to a ranch and I have six grandchildren, one of whom I am babysitting right now while the rest of the family is skiing. The search to balance it all never ends though I now have much bigger chunks of time in which to be creative and to produce art that is less hurried or harried in the process. Deadlines still loom and I give my art much more priority at those times. I am happy with my art time now and know you will get to that point also…be patient! Life is good and family will always trump all else in importance because they are there for us unfailingly! XXOO Sandy Mehall

By: Leslie Tucker Jenison

Leslie Tucker Jenison — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Dear Lyric,
This is a good topic to revisit often. Whether it is children (I have 3, all away from home now and mostly grown up), aging parents, another job, or (fill in the blank here), many of us find it very frustrating when we cannot give art enough of our time, or we are frustrated in trying to find a balance between that world and the other elements in our life.
I recall being very frustrated at not having the time to devote to my art when the children were younger, when I was commuting out of state to care for my mother, and when I was still practicing in the clinical setting.
A wiser woman than I am told me that, "there will be more time" once the children get older. It certainly doesn't feel like it will ever change when you are in the throes of it!
Now, I find that I have more time for art. I am still faced with this issue! How much time should I dedicate toward teaching? Studio wet work? Writing?
I think it never changes: but the things pulling at you for time do.
Thank you for this insightful post. I hope we continue to share and discuss. I think it is very helpful to know that most of us wrestle with it, in one way or another. Sorry for my windy post!

By: Julia Kelly

Julia Kelly — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:36:02 +0000

Glad I found your blog through SAQA- I've done art all my life too- have a degree- but it is through being a wife and a mother that I now have something to say- don't know how you could have anything to say- if you didn't live life!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:29:09 +0000

Well said Lyric. I only have one 10 year old but even so it's so difficult to balance the home life and the art life. Luckily she's a mini-artist herself so I frequently spend time with her making art. If I devote too much time to my art and neglect other household duties I feel so guilty! It's a fine line, this balancing act…

By: Natalya Aikens

Natalya Aikens — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:21:03 +0000

ah yes….balance. I chose that word for this year. my goal is to balance life and art…. only two kids, but I am in the same spot as you…thank you!

By: Margie Kraft

Margie Kraft — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 05:27:13 +0000

Oh Lyric, your blog was just what my heart needed. I'm coming out of a very unbalanced week of health issues, dear-daughters busy-ness and big deadlines quilting for others. Thank you for the inspiration. As Michael said "I am more of a all or nothing kind of" ..girl too. Balance is definitely needed.

By: Michael Cunningham

Michael Cunningham — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:06:24 +0000

Lyric,

Please use anything from my blog that will help you teach us all. I am flattered that you want to use my work…Thank you! Love what you have to say…it was just what I needed to hear. I am looking forward to your next install. Balance is a good thing. I need to learn to do it better. I am more of a “all or nothing” kind of guy. I need to set limits and goals. One goal I have this year is to enter a quilt in a show. Now just to find the time to work on them…Balance, I know, balance… Thank you for your words and inspiration.

By: Laura Lea

Laura Lea — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:46:55 +0000

Thank you again for being such a wonderful teacher Lyric! Your blog once again has touched me. I don't visit often, as life does have a way of pulling me in all directions at present, but when I do I always come away with a seed of hope, of faith and of inspiration!

By: My Sweet Prairie

My Sweet Prairie — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:05:05 +0000

this was a good read Lyric, thank you.
~Monika