All our recent packing has prevented me from giving much time or energy to my writing or painting. Luckily, there is still a lot I can do to keep my thoughts and inspiration active. As I’ve known for a while, creative work does not only have to be generative (output); foundational work (artist dates, reading, etc — the input) is also vital.
A lot of the socializing I’ve been doing lately has been with artists, so I feel very connected to my work even though I haven’t touched most of my projects. At Kuukua‘s place on Sunday, nearly all the guests were writers. I’ve had several lovely Skype and gchat conversations with Sarah. This weekend I’ll get together again with my IWL classmates… and I’ve had plenty of other encounters, too. Sometimes we’ve talked about things directly pertaining to art — like how to find an agent, or the importance of wide-ranging inspiration — but actually what I like best about hanging out with artists is just the acceptance of art as a life focus. There’s no need to defend our career choices or explain the non-linearity of the process. Since Sunday I have been thinking I should try to find writers’ groups I can drop in on while we are traveling. Sometimes touching base with a creative community is just as important as doing the work.
As to the work itself, this blog is about all the writing I’ve been doing for the past month, but I have managed a little painting (and oh, it felt good to get back to it). I can’t show you the finished product until next week, because it’s my annual Valentine, but the two images in this post are teasers.
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
I can really relate to your thoughts on the importance of a “physical community” where artists, writers etc. Can get together to support and inspire one another. My years with a Philadelphia artist cooperative (HighWire) was significant for maintaining my growth as an artist.
I like the second teaser of your painting to come. Nice textures.
Thanks, Walter! Yes — one thing that’s so much nicer in person than online (much as I love our blog community) is just the face-to-face, immediate rambling about whatever topics are on our minds. I love the idea of an artist cooperative. I know there are some in the Bay Area too.
Hey Lisa, it is funny that you mention Cheryl Dunye. She was part of the Philadelphia Art scene in th late 80’s and 90’s. I may be mistaken but I think she did a short stint at our cooperative. Cannot quite remember…
How cool! She taught for two weeks at the IWL workshop I did last summer.
Love that last teaser! You’ve definitely whetted my appetite. Can’t wait to see the completed work.
Me too!
Thank you, my dears! This is the earliest I’ve ever finished a valentine… I only wish I could show you right away. 😉
I missed my Sunday ‘soft’ deadline for my blog this week because something had to give. But I love that the incubation time is also counted. Thanks for the perspective. I was still making art with you all.
Yes! When I was at IWL, filmmaker Cheryl Dunye (one of our instructors) told us to think of everything as “development.” I think it’s true. 🙂
Het Lisa,
I earmarked this post for commenting, and am just getting the opportunity to do so. Please don’t tell me the party is over! 🙂 I wanted to “keep my hand in” and make sure that I don’t disconnect too much from my own community of fellow life artists, amidst all the changes and priorities which demand my most immediate attention, and leave me with little time for more quips THAN commentaries! Bah humbug!
When Life calls to/for us, we answer.
When we’re inspired by its beckoning, we write, create, and respond somehow. On napkins, parchment paper, electronic notepads, and on the backs of envelopes, or elsewhere. Accepting even these moments of creative energy as sufficient sometimes, is a lesson that I’m learning to embrace, albeit difficult, so in the meantime, I’ll “Keep my Hands In”! Thanks for the opportunity, and for this timely post.
Daggone auto-correct! “Hey” as in hello, what’s up? What the heck is a “het”?
Heh. In some novels I’ve read, it’s a slangy past tense of “heated” — as in “don’t get so het up!”
Empress!! The party is never over! 😉 I know what you mean about more quips than commentary. My only saving grace amid the chaos of these couple of weeks is that I type fast and think even faster… but my email responses and blog comments (where I’ve managed them) have been quite a bit shorter than my usual. 😉
Sometimes I think I even create better after a period away from the writing desk or paint set, actually. It’s good to have a little forced time away, as long as it’s not the norm!
Hey this isn’t a 60-40 % critique. I think you are quite talented to paint AND write well {and move}
Thank you thank you, Carla! 🙂