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| Childhood art by our sons. |
You would think that since our three sons are now either on their own or in college that my husband and I would have loads of luxurious time to relax - nothing could be further from the truth.
Although I am in a post-professional phase of my life (due to injury), I am attempting to jump start a second career in writing, as most of you know. My husband, Michael, on the other hand, still has a full-time job as a business manager; but he too, is attempting to transition from the business world to the world of the arts. Consequently, I am the manager for his art career (ordering, matching paintings to frames, etc.). And, like most women, keeping a somewhat clean house, with clean clothes, and home-cooked meals on the table is important to me too. In addition to that, volunteering at our community library is an important part of my life, as is staying connected to local writer friends.
Last weekend, Michael had the opportunity to visit another art gallery on the Oregon coast for possible additional representation. It was important to him that I view the gallery's show Saturday night so that I could give him my opinion of the quality of the art they represent. One problem: I had plans to meet with a good writer friend for lunch to discuss our middle grade manuscripts on Saturday- I was not willing to give that up. Consequently, we took two vehicles to Astoria, Oregon which allowed Michael a few hours of painting while I kept my appointment with my writer friend.
There are times in life as a writer, artist, or musician, that to follow your dreams means that your life must take on a quality of creative chaos - especially prior to the point when you have received a measure of success or validation from your respective art community. I speak not only from my own experience, but from walking with my husband on his own art journey...it hasn't always been easy. There have been friends, and even family members, whom we have unintentionally offended by remaining focused on our passions. There are only a set number of hours in the day, as the saying goes.
Then there are those times when you know that your own plans must be set aside, at least temporarily, to support your family or friends. On Wednesday of this week my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, consequently Michael and I will be heading to Arizona tomorrow to see my folks and celebrate with them their marriage milestone. Finding a balance between our own lives, and the lives of our loved ones, is not always easy...this trip to honor my parents, however, was an easy choice to make. I'll be taking a blogging break and be back on Writ of Whimsy on Friday, March 1st.
Do you ever experience creative chaos in your life as a writer?
