Tag: challenges

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As the Earth Turns…

Earth Day was first held when I was a high school student in 1970. I remember well the photos of the earth taken from the moon for the first time. A new perspective of the world in which we lived! The image allowed us to see the beauty and vastness of the blue oceans, the snowy white clouds floating around parts of the globe, and how interrelated the nations of the earth really are…

I created this piece when studying human-environmental systems. Its message is that even with the differences between people, such as gender, ethnicity, and culture, there are also needs we all hold in common–such as respect, safety, opportunities, and good food and water.

Human Complexity: A Common Thread, (c) 2003 Joni Beach
Human Complexity: A Common Thread, (c) 2003, Joni Beach.

Many years have passed but Earth Day (April 22) is still observed by many. The new view of the earth encouraged people to respect nature and understand our dependency on the resources provided by our natural environment.  In the 1970’s, the discipline of Human Ecology—the study of the interrelationship of people and the environments in which they live–was established in some universities. So while many people’s understanding of the world changed or expanded, others’ did not. They continue to live in a more detached way from the earth around them.

I can only believe that a broader perspective and understanding of our Earth has served to raise important questions and prompt us to seek new knowledge…

An awareness of our interdependence hopefully helps us live on the planet in a responsible manner…

to preserve it for future generations…

as the Earth turns.

~~~~~~~

*How do you view our Earth? What do you think about the natural environment and how to use its resources in a mindful way?

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Goals…Discouragement or Motivation?

One of the most difficult things for me to deal with is to fail to meet a goal. Not particularly when I procrastinate and run out of time, or begin but never finish, but whenever I put all of my time and energy into a project, finish it, but fail to get the results I had expected and hoped for. Being a bit of a perfectionist in some things, I usually expect that if I work on something hard enough it will be a success, so when it doesn’t, I have a problem!

Many times in the studio I become discouraged for this reason. In working toward my artistic goals, I often must remind myself of the importance in finding a balance between the artistic expression of an idea and certain end goals, such as entering exhibits and selling pieces. While professional artists engage in many tasks related to running a business, the skills are not always taught in colleges and must be acquired after graduation on their own. So, at times discouragement and self-doubt creeps in and hinders creative and professional development.

Backing Lifeweaving #3
A Studio Goal: Lifeweavings #3, Quilt the Top, Finish Details and Photograph...Enter Into a Juried Exhibit.

As my week begins there are previous projects to finish and new tasks to begin. I plan to turn on music (instrumental, no vocals), focus, and quilt Lifeweaving #3. For awhile I need to push myself to create many art pieces of various sizes, experiment with techniques, and play around with ideas–with less concern about the end goals. Some research shows that this approach results in more creative outcomes than working very slowly on only a few pieces. Perhaps it frees the creative, right-brain processes or just allows for a break and new motivation to continue.

Though disappointing at times, I need to continue working and realize that perhaps not all goals are meant to be met…

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Life On Hold…

Last week I posted that I felt like I was “spinning my wheels” and not moving forward with my goals in the studio…and then we lost our internet connection and phone service for almost a week!! Living in a heavily wooded neighborhood, both squirrels and mice had chosen our lines to mess with and disrupt service. Immediately, I was reminded that some things in life just can not be controlled. Just like the weather and a power outage, which so many in the US recently have experienced, some of the things we take for granted and depend on daily can suddenly,  just not work!

When this type of thing occurs, of course, at first I am surprised, then definitely I am irritated, then on to frustrated. Finally, when it takes longer to correct than I think it should, I give up and accept it and then change my normal schedule and expectations. Thoughts of the “good ole days” before computers, the internet, websites and even phones, come to mind and my time was redirected with other activities in and out of the studio–such as piecing a new wall hanging and a creative day spent in town to recharge and gather new inspirations.

So after almost a week of no email checking, blogging, or even the phone, the service is restored and I am back on-line…                                                                                                                                                        and have had a lesson (once again) in patience.

*What do you do when the technology that we depend on suddenly does not work? *                                                                                                                                              Related Posts:  Tuesday In the Studio…Spinning Wheels, Going @