WHY Risk It

"Try to remember an artist-any artist-from more than 20 years ago who didn't take risks. The ones who didn't have all been forgotten. "

- artist Hazel Dooney on Twitter

Yes, I want to be a remembered artist. I admit it. I have my risk work cut out for me- personally, professionally, financially and artistically speaking- to positively and successfully achieve that. I know and can confidently take the WHY risk. It's the HOW, WHEN, and WHERE risks that continue to test and challenge me. They are not stopping me. They're just very uncomfortable, questionable and sometimes most inconvenient. Which is exactly Hazel Dooney's point and WHY her posted tweet got me. As her tweets tend to do quite frequently.

Asian Red Thin Bangle set

Since the new year and decade are still young ( note: I, on the other hand, can not make that claim and it's not worth taking that risk) I officially proclaim and renew my commitment to taking RISKS. I now gently place my bracelets into the proverbial ring, see how they stack up, along with ALL my other creations, possibilities and dreams, and remember WHY. Why not. Care to join me?

Seek and Ye Shall Find on Twitter

"Sometimes I wonder if searching is a greater pleasure than finding what one is looking for."

Tweet from Hazel Dooney, artist

I was planning to make this a rejuvenation day and take a break from everything. Feeling physically run down and mentally drained. Those detox plans included napping, reading, no art, less or no internet time,less distractions, just good ol' ME time. I was even going to let my Monday blog entry slide. You are now reading how long those plans lasted.

Inspiration always finds a way to seep in, especially when you decide to relax, and Twitter-ly Speaking, it did this morning. I recently wrote about my experience and respecting "the process" re: art shows. Someone asked me what is the secret to staying detached and not take it personally? Being less experienced than others, I did not have a great answer except get more experience. Today I found the answer from a recent tweet from Leo Babauta, author of Zen Habits. There were 19 other question/answers. I highlighted this one since it was so timely and relevant.

2. How do you stay motivated in business when you have never done something before & the results won’t show up until down the road?
Learn to love the process, and don’t let your happiness be so dependent on the outcome. Be passionate about the actual things you do, do them because you love it, and you’ll stick with it. The great things that result will be a natural by-product.

Zen Habits

He used the word "outcome" which is where I had put my attention and how I initially, or habitually, measure(d) my success. Within 48 hours after the show, I recognized and honored "the process" and have since moved on. I have one more show this weekend at Architectural Artifacts.

I have lots of goals for 2010 to achieve and fulfill. I will heed this timely advice.
Now it is time to turn the computer off and get back to my initial plan. It is part of the process and I love it.