Balance

The creative process can take on any form. For some it is grounded in routine and ritual, for others it is all spontaneous. For me it is about balance, but not an exact equilibrium. It is the balance between extremes or opposites. I do the dance between action and contemplation, being social and retreating to the studio, energetic expansion or looking inward for inspiration. I strive to exist in that liminal place, my mind in the stars and my feet in the studio.  

As an artist I am always operating in both worlds, the seen and the unseen, or the physical and the imagination. Finding the balance of existing within both is how I define my artistic practice and journey. Where do I find my liminal footing between the two? I call this the painter’s dance, both in practice and in finding inspiration. I always keep a foot in each world. Balance is also about flexibility and being able to handle turbulent energies by adapting to what needs to shift or change. I am always striving to not to get too attached to any plans or expectations, but I do, and then I have mastered the art of the dance-pivoting. I also use my grounding in Tai Chi to help me literally find my balance. 

For my painting or creative practice, I dance between these places of action and restraint. I apply layers, remove some, twist and turn the painting and sometimes myself, depending on what I am listening to, add and subtract to the surface as I move among many pieces at once. This is what balance looks like for me. For others it may look like chaos. That’s because we are all wired differently. Find your groove and move between the extremes. Here’s an example of my daily or weekly practice. I don’t get the days necessarily balanced but when I look at the longer time frame I see the balance. 

I begin my morning with meditation and gratitude. 

Morning workout. 

Garden duties and enjoyment. 

I move on to research and make my daily list. 

I attend to yesterday’s list that didn’t get finished. 

Do my morning writing. 

Move into the studio. 

Check emails. 

Afternoon walks. 

Catch up with family and friends. 

More studio time if possible. 

Dinner and spend time reading novels or going out with friends. 

There are variations on this daily practice. There may be days when I don’t get in the studio because I have appointments or other commitments. Some days may be spent painting all day and night. The balance comes with the days and weeks. 

What does your practice look like, and what would you change if you could?