Picking up the Pieces!

When COVID struck the entire world, and we were told to stay home, I thought, “Great! I will do all sorts of artwork. I will get all sorts of things done.”

Well, that is NOT what happened! My husband had a stroke in 2020. Our lives were turned upside down, and I left my art studio and thought my art life was over. It was a huge struggle to move through the first year, adjusting to our new norm. Learning what Robin needed from me, and what I wanted to give. I must admit, they were not always the same!

We got through it, though, and now that COVID is pretty much in hindsight, I am still struggling to figure out where and if I belong in the art world. Friends and students have been wonderful and supportive, but with self-doubt, and thoughts in my head it is difficult to conquer. It is so difficult to see all the positives in one’s life when one is focused on the negativity.

The fee for my website came up at the beginning of the year, and I thought, should I, or shouldn’t I still have a website if I am not doing much art or teaching anymore?

Do I have anything to offer to the visual arts? I still enjoy making art, but my pace is slowing. I am trying to be OK with that. I get several art-related emails, and I check out what is going on, who is doing what, etc. I look at other artists’ websites and am wowed by what others are doing, and I compare myself to them. BIG MISTAKE! What they offer to the world is different than what I offer. I need to stop comparing my work with others and stop judging. Right now, it feels like a deep cavern to climb out of, but I am going to try!

On a positive note, I am teaching a class at White Bear Lake Center for the Arts, on May 20th: Fabric is Paint. Check out their website, and see all that is happening in this place. It is a fun place to make art!

I will share a couple of things I have done in the past 2 years, in my next post.

Hopefully, Spring will actually come, and stay. SOON! Everyone in my neck of the woods is seeking green!

Thanks for reading!

Pam

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