What DO you DO?!

The blueberries are blooming. Isn't that just swell.?
And here I am needing to blow off a bit of STEAM! I thought I would be relieved when the season arrived. Instead, I'm feeling like the rope in a game of tug-a-war! I'm running up against what most artists experience. Maintaining your priorities and proper balance in your life with that old nag playing in your head that says, "Making Art isn't all that important! What you need to do is clean up that garden! Your screened porch could use a good hosing! And those windows! Ohhh (shiver)!"
I discussed this dilemma with my youngest son this morning as he stopped by to fix the computer for me.
Using the huge, log-sized branch that has fallen from the ancient oak tree in the front of his house as an example, I began...
"Drew, does that log, that's been laying in the front yard of the farmhouse, nag at you when you drive up? (Andrew lives in the old farmhouse I'm renovating.) Because it sure bugs Me!"

Basically, he said it wasn't high on his priority list. He knew exactly where it was and if he needed some handy firewood he didn't have to go all the way to the woodpile to get it. He explained it was a time saver leaving it where it fell and his neighbor was not bothered by it either.
His top priority was his livelihood (which happens to also be his passion) and those other things, well, they just weren't.

I've been making some form of art my whole life, a back burner activity that I promised myself I would someday drag to that big front burner.
So, that's exactly what I decided to do in Summer 2008. I began painting once again and offered my work to a beautiful local gallery. Next, I created the Etsy shop and this blog.
As a result, I have been encouraged by the support of the gallery, my family, Etsy buyers and all you wonderful bloggers.

With every piece of art I reveal on the blog, you all are right there with your encouragement and humor and appreciation. This means so much to me and I thank you all so much!

Arranged by Arts Clayton, one of my painting is now displayed at the new National Archives building in Georgia! Scoop magazine featured my work in their March/April edition. I've been chosen for a juried art show planned for May. I am thrilled and stunned by all this. I feel like I'm finally making art a priority.

I'm leaving on Wednesday for St. Marys to pressure wash the little yellow house for Spring, lay new mulch in the flower beds, wash windows and plant annual flowers. I enjoy this kind of thing, especially in St. Marys. I have four days to finish, be back home, then ready to start again in McDonough where I have left outdoor chores far too long.
I'm feeling a bit like a one man band! In my mind, I see myself holding art supplies in one hand and in the other a hoe, a rake or maybe a broom and my head is spinning like Linda Blair's in the Exorcist.

With Spring, all the things that were the primary focus in "My Previous Life" are rearing their eager little heads, "Pick me! Pick Me!"
This has me worried and scared that my art will be relegated to that simmering place at the back of the stove.
Could I leave a log laying in the front yard for a month? No.
Could I leave a partial pile of mulch at the end of the driveway all Winter? Yes, because I have.
Perhaps I've already begun to find balance!
It's a glorious day outside and the yard looks like hell. The Gallery has made a "call for art" to be delivered this Saturday.
I'm goin' for it!!!
As they say in Georgia, "That mulch pile ain't goin no where! It'll be there when you get back!"

Have a joyous Spring, loved ones.
Ronnie- also known as Joe's stove operator.

ps...
Two artists I know in bloggerland had very good weekends.
Folk artist Mystele
and
Author Dave Ebright
Check it out! It'll make you smile!