Quality Over Quantity
Zen Buddhist Monk Walking Brush pen and watercolor pencils |
This year is the “slow down and appreciate each moment for what it is” year for me. I learned the value of doing this when I got pretty seriously ill in December of 2018, and was reminded of it again when my life was abruptly upended in 2020. Now, in 2024, I am applying that skill to how I approach creating art.
Slowing down enables me to be more thoughtful, whether it’s sketching, drawing a minimal, spontaneous piece, or working on something elaborate. This year, it has also allotted space to commit time and effort to a large (for me) project, knowing that it will require patience and focus, and will not yield a quick result. I’ve been working steadily on it since January and, even though I do get overwhelmed by how much I still have ahead of me, I am fully enjoying each day’s work.
While I do still create other pieces, add new works to my shop, and continue to submit my illustrations and art to agencies and publishers (while keeping my fingers and toes crossed), the majority of my time is spent on something no one sees or knows anything about yet. I know that I am fortunate to be able to have this time and freedom, and I keep the saying “quality over quantity” in mind, which helps me recenter and keep going.
That’s a wrap for March’s post. Next month I will be posting another recipe. I am still deciding what it will be, so you’ll have to pop by in April and see!