Living This Creative Life

I have two favorite quotes. The first one is by Emile Zola, "If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I would tell you that I came to live out loud". I don't know who the second one is by, but it goes like this, "If you're not living on the edge then you might as well jump". Both of these sentiments sum up my personal philosophy of this experience we call life on earth. Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

No Art Today,
So, yesterday I arrived at my new studio - still fabulous- but the home of a little nightmare for me.  When we got there and headed downstairs, I.V., the most amazing friend/helper/assistant ever, found water, lots of water, all over the floor.  As we began toweling up the floors, the leak came from a newly installed water pipe for our washout sink, I found the paper bag that was holding about 75 of my daily art pieces; each one sopping wet and pressed against each other.  
Well after a few moments of feeling very, very sorry for myself and a few tears, the two of us toweled them off and laid them out to dry and assess the damage.  I'm happy to say that for the most part, even though they were pressed up next to each other for what may have been hours, most of the dyes held.  However every piece that had a lot of white in it is no longer white; 17 of them are quite damaged.
What's really weird is how I felt so violated; violated by a little leak and a lot of water.  Worse yet, I just didn't want to make a piece last night nor this morning.  I'm still feeling more than a little ambivalent. So even though I felt really terrible about not making them while traveling earlier this month, I've decided that for the next few days at least, I'm going to concentrate on the studio and getting my business and personal life back in order so that I can then re-concentrate on this fabulous thing I'm trying to do - make art every day.  But for now the art I'm making is the creation of what I believe will be the culmination of my life's work - the best damned learning space possible.
I'll show you some photos tomorrow,
Till then,
Heather

3 comments:

me said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry for the damage and the setback and the horrible disappointment :(

I am very happy, however, that you have been documenting your process in this Art Every Day and have good photos of everything so that when it comes time to put this all together, the whites will still look white.

It sounds like you are taking this situation as a learning opportunity. There is now even more of a reason to really embrace the preparation of your heart's desire in the form of this new space as your daily art. I don't see why you can't include photos of this in your portfolio along with the 9x11 pieces! Know the rules, but know when it's okay to break them, right?

We will likely learn some lessons about the dyes and what happens when as well. An inadvertent "what if?", if you will. I feel awful that some of your pieces were damaged but I am also curious to see what the dyes that weren't meant for them, did to them. You have taught me that there is something to learn everywhere we look if we just remember to look :)

I cannot wait to see this wonderful space. I know I am going to feel the love and joy that has gone into getting it ready!

Cathy R said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. Floods are horrible. How DARE that water come into your space and destroy or damage your belongings.

This is why I never store photograph albums on the bottom two shelves in my house.

Good luck with the cleanup!

Steph said...

Wow! I've not been able to look at your blog for several weeks and when I finally have opportunity, I see your sad news. I am so sad this happened. I understand the heart-dropped-into-your-shoes feeling.

I know you will rebound as you focus on your Amazing new studio! Can't wait to come visit next time I'm able to come to Colorado. Hope the clean up and repair goes swiftly and with no glitches.