small paintings 4 sale, finding your rhythm again
notes from the studio
hello beautiful people!
thank you for being here. i launched a new website and shop!
:: FINDING YOUR RHYTHM AGAIN ::
today i am sharing a bit about getting back into a rhythm. i wrote this as i was trying to return to my weaving practice after a season of longing for it but struggling to make / find the space. these are my studio notes on how to find your rhythm after losing it. it involves creating a dedicated space, remembering the good feelings, observing others in flow, lowering the pressure, and finding community. i thought these reminders might resonate with some of you. i’d love to hear how you find your rhythm after losing it. maybe you’re a star and never lose your rhythm :)
dedicated space
a dedicated corner, box, or bag to keep supplies. this helps me get ready and stay ready. nothing like a box of colorful yarn in the corner of a room staring at you while you stare at your phone!
the good feelings
take a few minutes to write down (or just think about) what felt good about being in your rhythm that last time your were in it.
the high of finding my flow and losing track of time
the texture of merino wool in my hands
playing with colors and textures
repetitive motions
being away from my screens
how different weaving feels compared to the other work that i do (so soft, very much the opposite of creating invoices)
weaving found me in a moment of unbearable pressure to be traditionally successful and offered me something all of my own. i got to weave alone in my room away from the gaze of other people and that was bliss!
observing others
observe other people doing/making something that they are good at and enjoy. it can really be anything. i find it so inspiring and soothing to watch people disappear into the thing that they do so well. i love to watch K work through and solve complex statistical problems on his white board with confidence. it’s so opposite to how my brain works. it might be magic! other people in flow is a supremely beautiful thing to witness, and reminds me that i too can flow again.
lower the pressure
this one is a work in progress! i went to the dentist last month and had a mini-intervention about my teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching so i’m very much working on lowering the pressure, tension and stress in my life (must. stop. reading. the. news. before. bed). i’m asking myself: can i return to a rhythm in a way that prioritizes pleasure, desire, and fun? it helps not to add pressure by creating tight timelines, expectations to create something good, or even feel that i need to share what i’m making. it’s hard in 2022 to remember that you can do things quietly, secretly and privately.
community
i like to think about this as a little bit of companionship and gentleness from others. i’m specifically not thinking of adding pressure through joining some type of club or accountability structure - this is great for some people but not for me. sometimes community can be one other person to remember what felt good about a thing you both love/loved/ want to love again.
so far these are my studio notes. they are a work in progress. comment or reply to this email with your notes on finding your rhythm again.
:: IN THE STUDIO ::
thank you for reading and supporting my work!
Thanks for this. Community and lowering pressure, I feel you. Glad to see you're weaving!
i’m glad you’re finding your rhythm again. this most recent collection of work you’ve shared is nothing short of amazing. you’ve offered so much to your internet followers by way of observing others doing something they’re good at.
i’m currently definitely out of step. it’s hard to find your rhythm when the world is in such an aggressive flux.
currently, i’m focusing on two things to regain mine: stillness and play. when i’m not feeling centered, i tend to aggressively fill my time with “important” things. i think play can be an helpful thing in my stillness—a board game, a splash in the river, some dancing?