Tuesday, July 20, 2010

"What are you waiting for?"

In my last post I mentioned having two art/craft shows coming up. Within 24 hours of posting, I decided I would not be participating in them this year. In fact, I was, for the time being, not making work to sell at the gallery or area shows. I just did not need additional deadlines and time pressures right now. Time in the studio was becoming less enjoyable and I needed to make positive changes.

You see, I was married, and 31 years of age when I took my first weaving classes. A few years later we had a daughter and four years after that we moved north. Later, we adopted a son, then a daughter, so family life, homeschooling, church, community activites took up most of my life, and weaving became an occasional activity. I started making towels and table runners to sell, then added wool socks, thankful to have the opportunities. And all through those years, ideas I had remained unrealized.

Well, this fall I'll be 60, it's nearly 30 years later, and I'm asking myself "what are you waiting for?" An empty nest is coming up fast so I am busy now setting things in place to give me work to do that I love, goals and dreams to achieve. There is so much more to learn about weaving, color, design, dyeing, spinning, felting, and more.

Will I ever sell my work again? I expect I will, I receive occasional emails and phone calls asking if I could make this or that. I may be back in the gallery and doing three or four art shows again next year, after work on the house is done.
But even then, the learning and weaving what I WANT to weave must come first.

I'm very excited about the possibilities! It's time to bring the fun and sense of adventure back into the studio. It's time to learn, explore, create, and turn the ideas into reality. Shuttle Works Studio is becoming a place to make new things happen, one step at a time. Let the adventures begin!

4 comments:

Peg in South Carolina said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. And all I can say is: GO FOR IT!!! (you might recall, or not, that I am 72....

Anonymous said...

Janice, life is short! Your blog is wonderful. I myself struggle to juggle 3 kids, a job, teaching weaving and the cherry on top - a husband who HATES the fact I weave! So, whatever changes need to be made, make them, don't live with regrets! Can't wait to see your drawloom come alive!

dawn

bloominloom@wordpress.com

Janice Zindel said...

Thank you, Peg and Dawn! I wasn't sure anyone would understand what is going on inside me head these days. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

It got where weaving was rapidly become a "should" instead of a "want" or a "love doing this." Years are going by more rapidly and it's time to go after my weaving dreams.

Thanks, too, Dawn for your kind words about my blog. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is visiting or reading, and always enjoy comments or another point of view. I haven't checked the stats for awhile.

AND, I'm with you, I also can't wait to see the drawloom come alive. I need to spend a lot more time with it, perhaps 24/7, until we reach an understanding.

Judy said...

Changing direction in your life is exciting, but it takes a lot of energy, doesn't it? It sounds like you have spent years being a caregiver of those around you and your family has been enriched by your willingness to do that for them. Homeschooling is an incredible commitment, so I can see why weaving would be on the backburner for years. I've been there myself after years of homeschooling three sons. I bet the change will be well worth the effort that it takes! I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to weave next.
-Judy