Disaster strikes, my laptop goes on strike. It's not the first time it's happened, after all he is getting on, in computer years that is. The last couple of times, it's cost me, so when a friend offered to have it repaired by a friend for cheap I handed the machine without a second thought.
Through the long and difficult 10 days without my precious lap warmer, I did have second thoughts (and third and fourth), worried that it would never come back to me the same as before. The agony was made only worst by my fruitless attempts to work from my "smart" phone; it is either way too smart for me or just frecking stupid (pardon my French!), because I just had to give up, frustrated and helpless!
To cut a long (read boring) story short, I got it back, in full working order. I would have thought that after so long, I would spend 48h straight pianoting but instead I realized I had got used to not having it and it took me a bit of time to make it's acquaintance again (that or I was just holding a grudge for having been let down so unexpectedly!)
During all the spare time I found I had while he was gone, I got thinking at how much I depended on technology for everything:
I wasn't able to research, or print, or shop for stocks. I wouldn't have been able to supply my stockists if I needed to. I got worried as to when was my last backup, and what wasn't backed up!!
I was stuck when it came to banking (who goes to the bank anymore!). I couldn't get my godson a birthday present, as he lives in Canada and I normally order something online to deliver directly to him, and it was too late to send something from here...
I couldn't market, update my website, take online orders as efficiently...
And I am sure I forget plenty of things, but very importantly, I wasn't able to post on here and that's my excuse for this month!
I am thinking of a second device, because when it comes to doing business, one just cannot go any amount of time without a computer these days!
Positive sides though: I got a whole load of reading done, watch boring television, and certainly got a few more hours sleep!
Sunday 17 May 2015
Friday 17 April 2015
To beat or not to beat... yourself up over missed deadline!
I have a small, young family. Most things revolve around them, the rest has to fit in, somehow! For the past 2 months, as I mentioned in the last post, bugs have got the better of us. After the children being afflicted, it was my turn. Don't you just love childcare years!
While it is exhausting looking after sickly kiddies, you can still pull out of the bag some energy to get things done. When it's yourself taking to bed rest, it's another story entirely.
So, I put my hands up, I am still now working on things I hoped to finished in March, and time is constantly ticking in my head. That's when I thought: what is the best thing to do now? Beat myself up or not?
If I take a casual approach on the whole thing and take no notice of my missing deadline, not fulfilling my objectives, well then does it subtly makes me believe I can allow myself to pretty much miss them whenever, under whatever excuse?
In that case, what is the point of setting them in the first place?
I could fool myself and think that when the deadline will involve a stockist, a customer, I will then be able to meet it, it will be more important, more motivating...
Or I could think that I'm unable to keep to deadlines and therefor I shouldn't make any promises on delivery time frame, etc.
Suddenly I feel very uncomfortable with the uncertainty of everything...
I could beat myself up and work overtime, into the small hours of the morning to catch up and, just guessing now, end up worn out by the whole thing by next month and miss all of the following month's deadlines... Not very productive, defeats the purpose.
So I will adopt my favorite position in most situation: a happy middle ground.
I will reschedule the things that are not as urgent, will prioritize to an inch of my life, and will get on with work as I would normally, allowing overtime whenever I feel like it, or if an order needs completion.
My motto always remain: after all good work comes enjoyment, but good work only comes from enjoying the process!
While it is exhausting looking after sickly kiddies, you can still pull out of the bag some energy to get things done. When it's yourself taking to bed rest, it's another story entirely.
So, I put my hands up, I am still now working on things I hoped to finished in March, and time is constantly ticking in my head. That's when I thought: what is the best thing to do now? Beat myself up or not?
If I take a casual approach on the whole thing and take no notice of my missing deadline, not fulfilling my objectives, well then does it subtly makes me believe I can allow myself to pretty much miss them whenever, under whatever excuse?
In that case, what is the point of setting them in the first place?
I could fool myself and think that when the deadline will involve a stockist, a customer, I will then be able to meet it, it will be more important, more motivating...
Or I could think that I'm unable to keep to deadlines and therefor I shouldn't make any promises on delivery time frame, etc.
Suddenly I feel very uncomfortable with the uncertainty of everything...
I could beat myself up and work overtime, into the small hours of the morning to catch up and, just guessing now, end up worn out by the whole thing by next month and miss all of the following month's deadlines... Not very productive, defeats the purpose.
So I will adopt my favorite position in most situation: a happy middle ground.
I will reschedule the things that are not as urgent, will prioritize to an inch of my life, and will get on with work as I would normally, allowing overtime whenever I feel like it, or if an order needs completion.
My motto always remain: after all good work comes enjoyment, but good work only comes from enjoying the process!
Wednesday 25 March 2015
The struggles of the Part Part-time Artist
Well it's been a while, and that just goes to prove my point: it is hard to be a part-time artist. This month's excuse was children sicknesses. Next week could be work overload from the part-time job, and next month something else again. Juggling between looking after young children, working three days a week and finding time for the Art business is just something that requires a strict discipline, I understand that now, it took a while to accept it.
Making creative time sacred
There's a huge difference between doing something because it has to be done, or doing something only IF there is time to do it (There will never be time to do it!). And the only way the wannabe artist will become one is to make creative time something that MUST be done.
For me the solution was to have a planner, on the wall, that was pointing it's finger at me every so often, sending me with my marching orders straight to the studio. I was able to allow three evenings of studio work, that's about 7 to 9 hours per week. Not a lot, but since I can't afford daytime work yet (it will come soon, once the kids are in school every mornings), I still wanted to give myself some evening ME time. I often do more, especially when I have some deadline or special commission, but at least, when I do take the night off, I am guilt free.
Work that can be done with children running around should be done when children are running around!
Researching the internet, making simple updates to a website, flicking through magazines, looking for inspiration, updating your accounts, in addition to all the household chores can, in general, be accomplished when children are around and without completely neglecting them!!
If it is another employment that is taking your time, use your breaks to sketch a bit, browse pinterest, update your Facebook page. I am lucky enough to have a part-time job which requires me to be very creative so I am constantly getting the brain in right gears and I am fully hands on as well. But if it's not the case, a few minutes here and there through the day is all you have so make the most of it.
The 3 P's:
Planning, planning and planning
I mentioned above my week planner, I also have my year planner on which I try to always have the three months ahead planned out with 4 to 5 general objectives per month. For example, for April I intend to
1.revisit and review my stockists
2.Complete my 1st quarter review
3. Make product samples
4. Look into SEO and into business set up
May and June have different objectives, but I haven't planned out everything further ahead than this because things take shape as I go along. That keeps me focused.
I also have a To-Do list which is always with me. That planner is for specific things that have to be done in the days ahead. At the moment: -finish Dublin painting, -Print store signs. -Deliver prints to... and -Blog (Check!! That's the most satisfying thing about lists and planner, when you get to score them off!)
Making all the spare time count
That's not to say work all the time, but for me, I find very little satisfaction in just sitting watching tv. That's my spare time (normally an hour before turning in) and I'm allowed to do what I want and since I enjoy my work, I choose something that is easy, relaxing and pleasant. I do enjoy a good net browsing (even if they say it's not good before bed), or looking through art magazines and books, or browse all my photos for the inspiration for the next painting. Whatever it is, if it has a creative side it will count, and I am less tempted then to browse the internet when I should be productive in the studio!
Making creative time sacred
There's a huge difference between doing something because it has to be done, or doing something only IF there is time to do it (There will never be time to do it!). And the only way the wannabe artist will become one is to make creative time something that MUST be done.
For me the solution was to have a planner, on the wall, that was pointing it's finger at me every so often, sending me with my marching orders straight to the studio. I was able to allow three evenings of studio work, that's about 7 to 9 hours per week. Not a lot, but since I can't afford daytime work yet (it will come soon, once the kids are in school every mornings), I still wanted to give myself some evening ME time. I often do more, especially when I have some deadline or special commission, but at least, when I do take the night off, I am guilt free.
Work that can be done with children running around should be done when children are running around!
Researching the internet, making simple updates to a website, flicking through magazines, looking for inspiration, updating your accounts, in addition to all the household chores can, in general, be accomplished when children are around and without completely neglecting them!!
If it is another employment that is taking your time, use your breaks to sketch a bit, browse pinterest, update your Facebook page. I am lucky enough to have a part-time job which requires me to be very creative so I am constantly getting the brain in right gears and I am fully hands on as well. But if it's not the case, a few minutes here and there through the day is all you have so make the most of it.
The 3 P's:
Planning, planning and planning
I mentioned above my week planner, I also have my year planner on which I try to always have the three months ahead planned out with 4 to 5 general objectives per month. For example, for April I intend to
1.revisit and review my stockists
2.Complete my 1st quarter review
3. Make product samples
4. Look into SEO and into business set up
May and June have different objectives, but I haven't planned out everything further ahead than this because things take shape as I go along. That keeps me focused.
I also have a To-Do list which is always with me. That planner is for specific things that have to be done in the days ahead. At the moment: -finish Dublin painting, -Print store signs. -Deliver prints to... and -Blog (Check!! That's the most satisfying thing about lists and planner, when you get to score them off!)
Making all the spare time count
That's not to say work all the time, but for me, I find very little satisfaction in just sitting watching tv. That's my spare time (normally an hour before turning in) and I'm allowed to do what I want and since I enjoy my work, I choose something that is easy, relaxing and pleasant. I do enjoy a good net browsing (even if they say it's not good before bed), or looking through art magazines and books, or browse all my photos for the inspiration for the next painting. Whatever it is, if it has a creative side it will count, and I am less tempted then to browse the internet when I should be productive in the studio!
Sunday 1 March 2015
Dear diary... where do I start?!?
Well, from the beginning might be a good idea...
I said 10 years didn't I? Well that's just ten years of contemplating that maybe somehow, someday, it might be possible to be a full time artist... That was a lot of maybe's underlined with plenty of if's. Before that, I just didn't think it could ever be anything else than a hobby. And my work was eclectic, unrefined and I wasn't practicing with enough discipline and regularity to improve it! See for yourself!
With my twenties came the move to Ireland, and the discovery of a place that welcomed art with open arms... but closed Gallery door.
Mistake no 1: Rushing into it.
I gathered a small body of work, with no real quality, with no real unity and sent a rather basic portefolio to some galleries. Unsurprisingly, I only got negative responses and you know what, I would say no myself looking at it now...
I had somehow got it into my mind that the only way was to get into galleries, and at the back of that same mind, was resolute to die a poor, unrecognized artist!
And let me just go back on the title of this blog, "Wanna be..." I know has the implied meaning of someone who lacks the qualification and talent, and that's where I was, lacking qualifications from lacking practice, and lacking talent for not allowing my hands to do what they wanted to do and over thinking what would make me different, what would make people buy me.
But then I painted these, and for probably the first time I thought; you know what, I could be onto something after all:
Coming up:
The struggle of the Part-Part-Time Artist
I said 10 years didn't I? Well that's just ten years of contemplating that maybe somehow, someday, it might be possible to be a full time artist... That was a lot of maybe's underlined with plenty of if's. Before that, I just didn't think it could ever be anything else than a hobby. And my work was eclectic, unrefined and I wasn't practicing with enough discipline and regularity to improve it! See for yourself!
With my twenties came the move to Ireland, and the discovery of a place that welcomed art with open arms... but closed Gallery door.
Mistake no 1: Rushing into it.
I gathered a small body of work, with no real quality, with no real unity and sent a rather basic portefolio to some galleries. Unsurprisingly, I only got negative responses and you know what, I would say no myself looking at it now...
And let me just go back on the title of this blog, "Wanna be..." I know has the implied meaning of someone who lacks the qualification and talent, and that's where I was, lacking qualifications from lacking practice, and lacking talent for not allowing my hands to do what they wanted to do and over thinking what would make me different, what would make people buy me.
But then I painted these, and for probably the first time I thought; you know what, I could be onto something after all:
Coming up:
The struggle of the Part-Part-Time Artist
NEW TITLE, NEW CONTENT! What's this all about anyway...
First things first, if it's the first time you stumble on my blog, let me just briefly introduce myself, save you a bit of trouble to search the archives if you're interested!
My name is Jessica Baron, originally from Québec in Canada and now settled in Ballydesmond, West of Ireland for nearly 10 years. I am a painter, or at least a wannabe painter.
My name is Jessica Baron, originally from Québec in Canada and now settled in Ballydesmond, West of Ireland for nearly 10 years. I am a painter, or at least a wannabe painter.
I have been wanting to be a painter for the guts of the last 10 years or more, and in the scheme of things, haven't got very far YET.
And that's the whole point of this blog, in which I will share my bumpy road to becoming an artist so far. If you're in a similar quest, I will hopefully somehow offer a few tips, share the traps I fell into in the hope you won't get caught yourself. I will express all the frustrations that pop-up now and again, and the delights that come with the successes, however small and trivial. And who knows, I may someday have to change this title again, when I can call myself a full time artist and drop the "wanna be"!!
So that's what this whole change of direction is all about. I already have a facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jessicabaronartist)
and a website (http://www.jessicabaronartist.com to take care of all promotional stuff, so I can't see the point in having a third page for the same purpose. And there is still a bit of a selfish reason to it: I believe that looking back on how you got where you are can be of great support in looking ahead at where you want to go!
And that's the whole point of this blog, in which I will share my bumpy road to becoming an artist so far. If you're in a similar quest, I will hopefully somehow offer a few tips, share the traps I fell into in the hope you won't get caught yourself. I will express all the frustrations that pop-up now and again, and the delights that come with the successes, however small and trivial. And who knows, I may someday have to change this title again, when I can call myself a full time artist and drop the "wanna be"!!
So that's what this whole change of direction is all about. I already have a facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jessicabaronartist)
and a website (http://www.jessicabaronartist.com to take care of all promotional stuff, so I can't see the point in having a third page for the same purpose. And there is still a bit of a selfish reason to it: I believe that looking back on how you got where you are can be of great support in looking ahead at where you want to go!
Friday 2 January 2015
New year's resolutions 2015 LET's GET DOWN TO IT!
2014 was Good! 2015 will be even better!
Family, business, personal growth, one thing at a time and nothing left behind!
RESOLUTIONS/ OBJECTIVES:
1. Have a detailed yearly plan for the business
2. Refocused on speaking French to my two little ones
3. Organize and re-design the studio
4. Seek gallery representation
5. Have prints in a min. of 8 retail shops
6. Get down to Search Engine Optimization
7. Research and develop more products
8. Get back to running as soon as possible, healthy mind, healthy body and all that!
9. Make a little inspirational trip to Dublin
10. A long overdue visit to Quebec!!!
11. Take part in exhibition/fair during the year and increase the Christmas Fairs to at least 6.
12. Have a quarterly meal out :o)
13. Go to the pool with my little ones more often (I know, I'm leaving that one a bit vague...)
14. Is 13 resolutions bad luck??? say... Enjoy every moment!
What are yours?
Family, business, personal growth, one thing at a time and nothing left behind!
RESOLUTIONS/ OBJECTIVES:
1. Have a detailed yearly plan for the business
2. Refocused on speaking French to my two little ones
3. Organize and re-design the studio
4. Seek gallery representation
5. Have prints in a min. of 8 retail shops
6. Get down to Search Engine Optimization
7. Research and develop more products
8. Get back to running as soon as possible, healthy mind, healthy body and all that!
9. Make a little inspirational trip to Dublin
10. A long overdue visit to Quebec!!!
11. Take part in exhibition/fair during the year and increase the Christmas Fairs to at least 6.
12. Have a quarterly meal out :o)
13. Go to the pool with my little ones more often (I know, I'm leaving that one a bit vague...)
14. Is 13 resolutions bad luck??? say... Enjoy every moment!
What are yours?
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