Work-work vs. Work

Earlier this year I went back to “work work” as I call it, meaning I’m at a desk M-F, working on pixels for The Man. In my world, the word “work” is reserved for making art.

Over the years I’ve bounced back and forth from being at work-work full time and then doing my artwork full-time. My assumption is most people think the latter is always the better option (and of course getting to make a lot of work is better) but bills, bills, bills baby. And in this economy?

In reality both sides have pros and cons that mirror each other, true opposites, that are boundaries I bump back and forth between. One big pro of work work is when the money exists elsewhere, I can use my (little) time to make the artwork I want to make, just for me. No need to spend time making art for money. It’s very freeing.

I just finished the first of a series of 24x24” watercolor series called Street Still Lifes.

The reference image for this piece I photographed 15 months ago.

I cut, flattened and measured the piece of paper 5 months ago.

And it took me multiple sittings over the last 4 weeks to draw and paint it.

Many small steps. Very far apart. Holding on to the pieces while I Life™ until I can get back to put them together.

MORE STREET STILL LIFES TO COME!!!!!!!!!!!

In a few weeks I’ll be showing my work alongside a group of awesome artists at Hangar Studios in South Austin for the second weekend, Nov 15 & 16.

Find me at stop #54. I’ll have some 200 Days originals, European truck posters and stickers, Austin prints, and more.

Hangar Art Studios — 3625 Menchaca Road Suite 101, Austin, TX 78704

This summer I traveled for 6 weeks and bought short books along the way, going home with 9 and I read some really great stuff. Here’s the top 3:

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman — Best book I’ve read all year, still, after reading many good things after. Just read it.

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde — A collection of 15 essays and speeches that take on sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and class, and offers up social difference as a vehicle for action and change.

So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan — An Irish writer’s excellent short story. So good I read the entire thing aloud to my friend. NPR put it well: “Keegan is the kind of writer whose spare, slippery work you want to reread.”

QUOTE: “What do you think I pray for? ‘May I continue to have what I have right now, or even less, as long as I’m self-sufficient. If the gods should grant me life, though just for a while, may I live my life to myself, with books to read, and food to sustain me for another year, and not to waver with the wavering hours.’” — Horace, the Roman poet, lived from 65 - 8BC
**I found a few versions of this translation, but I like this one**

See ya next time!