After having my second child I find myself having to learn how to balance mommy-hood and painting all over again (not that my mommy hood ever stopped after my first, its just so much easier to plop a five year old down with a bunch of legos while mommy paints than it is to do anything that requires two arms- or any amount of concentration- with an infant) I swear, the little guy has an alarm set to go off the minute I try to sneak in some work.
I have had my share of crying pity parties in the past few months, but in reality, I wouldn't change a thing. I love getting to spend so much time with my boys, even if it does interfere with my career for a short while. Children grow up so fast. It would be a shame not to enjoy the moment while it is there.
That said, it would also be a shame not to keep pushing on a career that has had such a great start! This is where the balancing act begins. I have been trying to figure out how to get enough time in the biggest blocks possible for painting and I think I may have found it. Tonight, I worked after everyone went to sleep. I used to work until three and four in the morning a few years ago. Starting to think late night painting is the way to go. I nap when baby naps anyway, so I will only be missing out on three or four hours of interrupted sleep at night.
Today I ruined a 24"x36" floral piece that has kind of been in the works for so long I can't remember when I started it. (There are a lot of things I don't remember these days.) No biggy. I had other, more promising reference photos lined up.
I got the other, more promising pieces sketched out tonight, all of which are hopefuls for the upcoming show at Whistle Pik Galleries in March. I'll post more about that soon...
Oh, and Happy New year, y'all!
