Sunday, April 19, 2009

Simple fatigue




Tea break at the kitchen table
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
still working on it.
(This is my model for
the big painting taking a break
between sittings -- she's
changed her hair!
And that's okay. The colours
have been changed on the grounds (pun)
that I'm an artist)

The feeling I get after the push to get through the
winter semester is one of simple fatigue. You've
all known it -- and what could be a better day
for it than Sunday?

Thinking about what to say tonight -- I've come
up with -- have you been sleeping well lately?
I think sleep is critical for artists, because
many of us balance demanding lives with our
passion for creativity, and our right brain minds
thrive on sleep.

The women I know have an especially hard
time getting to sleep, even when they do
finally hit the pillow. Tony Robbins recommends
breathing in for eight, holding for sixteen, and
out for eight. If you're asthmatic just do a 4-8-4
pattern. Repeat this three times and you're
yawning, and usually within minutes asleep

So I ask you -- how are you doing with simple
fatigue? I have started and almost finished a
little painting today. I've had fun doing it, and
fun thinking about it -- but my brain can't get
around world issues, family issues, even
small personal business issues. What to do?
I've put them all aside for the night, and I'm
going to bed. Why don't you do the same --
tomorrow everything that couldn't be resolved
today will fall magically into place. And on
top of that you'll have had a good night's sleep.

Have a sleeping-well-and-enjoying-creative-dreams day.

16 comments:

r garriott said...

You have read my mind once again. I'm off to bed to try 8-16-8...will let you know how it goes.

Sweet dreams, Barbara!

Barbara Muir said...

Good for you R.,

It does work. When you hold your breath for 16, you immediately take
in a deep breath. That breath relaxes you and...I can hardly write this. I'm falling asleep.

Take care,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS PAINTING BARBARA!!!
I LOVE it!! It is so inspiring. I love the composition...makes me want to get out the paints.
If this is what you do when you're tired.....quit sleeping girl. lol!
xoxoxo Big hugs.

Anonymous said...

Love this painting Mooey. Colors/energy terrific, plus I like the casual way your repertoire of signature elements play to the "relaxed formal" thing. WTG
Mu

laura said...

Good advice--I'll try the breathing! I usually drop off and then wake up an hour later and toss and turn: racing thoughts.
Your model is lovely, very graceful, and this kitchen table scene is delightful, cheery.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

No I wasn't really tired when I worked on this. But I was working with tons of other work left undone. That part is tiring, as you know.
I'm so glad you like it.

Hugs back at you,
xoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mooey,

I'm glad you like it, and hope you become a regular visitor to my blog.

This daily painting thing eats up
subject matter faster than a ...what
...well anyway -- it eats it up fast, so I will probably do more pics of my model in the kitchen. The blog is teaching me so much -- I mean other artists are teaching me so much.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

I'm glad you like it. I took my own advice last night and slept very well.
I hope it worked for you too. Yes the downside of an artist's creativity, is the brain that won't stop. The delighted brain is just as relentless as the worried one.

Take care,

Barbara

r garriott said...

Hi Barbara, I must have commented last night before you posted the painting; very nice!!! With these gorgeous colors, it seems like your true home should be in the tropics.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi R.,

Yes -- I must have been tired -- I did publish the post before I'd added the painting. Funny.

I'm glad you like it. I'd be happy to live in the tropics, except that I'm not crazy about heat, and I'm frightened of hurricanes.

Other than that -- count me in.

Take care,

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Love the composition! The red tabletop with the vase, the candlesticks and all the rest remind me of Matisse paintings, one of my heros! Greta painting, Barbara! Hope you sleep well tonight, too.

Karen Bruson said...

Barbara, Beautiful color and composition. It has such a nice feeling.

eldon warren said...

Hey, what a cool little painting. Love it.
I have figured it out, if I catch up on the sleep i've missed in the last 30 years or so I'd sleep for better than 3 years. 8-16-8.........8-16-8........8-16-8 :)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thanks so much. That is a very wonderful compliment. We all owe a debt to Matisse.

xoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much. I'm delighted that you like it.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

That sounds about right doesn't it.

Three years. I know the feeling.
Take care,

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!