Contemplating my garden before rushing off to a birthday lunch.
I've been doing a lot of that lately. Contemplating. Not that I have too much time on my hands. On the contrary, I'm brimming with ideas (love this feeling!) and am busy working on a totem that grips me.......for today at least.
I was sitting outside under my meditation tree, thinking how much I am enjoying the art I am creating now. For me that is amazing because I'm constantly sliding from one extreme to the other. Love it.....hate it...... not too bad......brilliant?......love it.....hate it. Today or all weekend actually, I feel totally content.
I am exactly where I want to be at this stage of my life. Creating the art I have always wanted to do but have put off in the past because of the need to churn out quick money spinners. What a waste of time because the work I'm doing now is actually just as lucrative and I'm far happier doing it. If only I had had the guts to start sooner. I woke up one morning and it hit me (quite hard in fact) that life was passing me by and that if I wasn't careful it would be too late to create the work I have always hankered to do. That was a big wake up call.
Grinding stone which I use as a bird bath. They are still used in the rural areas to grind corn.
For more information on the Southern African cycad situation see http://www.swazi.com/people/cycad/cycadhome.html
Thank heavens you answered that wake up call, Robyn or we would have all been the poorer not to have our lives graced by your beautiful sculptures to say nothing of the inspiration they evoke:-)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's difficult to make the jump from a secure job to one that is less traditional like the arts. It can be scary because it's unknown what the outcome will be. I'm glad you made the jump. I haven't made mine yet!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, such thoughts... so true.. and so short, life...
ReplyDeleteNOW it the time to do it!!!
Cherry, Jason and Gwen, thanks for stopping to comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog ~ I have found yours so interesting. Your work is amazing and I am so happy for you. Keep in touch ~viv
ReplyDeleteFirst off, your vegetation never ceases to delight and amaze me. Amazing stuff.
ReplyDelete"I am exactly where I want to be at this stage of my life,"
--Fantastic. I love what you write here from that point on. This is VERY encouraging. I am not there yet but oh, how I would love to branch out but have this family to support. Maybe later though? I know I have so much creativity bottled up but no inspiration to actually do it. Feel too bogged down just doing my regular design work.
Anyway, thanks for the insight into your life/business/art. Wonderful.
Glorious pix. Are these ferns? They are so fascinating because they are so different from what we have up here. Wonderful grinding stone bird bath!
ReplyDeleteCreativity needs air, space and peace to grow! :)
Willow the top photo is a cycad. They are endangered and owners have to have a permit. The fruit is like a huge pineapple that comes out of the centre with big red seeds (non edible). I was so thrilled to see seedlings coming up. The coiled frond is a tree fern. They grow huge trunks (taller than a man eventually) with fronds coming out the centre. Other ferns and creepers grow on the trunk. I will take photos when this one has recovered from winter.
ReplyDeletemmm, I know where you're coming from. I was churning out hand painted boxes because they brought in the cash to put the children through school etc. To stop and experiment could have jeopardized that income.
ReplyDeleteExperiment on the side just for yourself. Who knows, whatever you do might take off in a big way. You won't know untill you try it.
"Nothing happens until it moves." -Albert Einstein
Thanks Viv, I will be returning to your blog soon. There's so much I want to look at....and read.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog today and enjoyed reading about your creative process and seeing your carved totems. You truly create wondrous and enchanting sculptures. And, I discovered what is missing in my life--wild monkeys sitting in the trees. Since I live in Ohio in the USA, there's not much chance of wild monkeys passing through. What a pity, I would so like to see them. Thank you for sharing your life and your art.
ReplyDeleteThe plants in your garden are amazing. And it is amazing that you were brave enough to chance the unknown. I'm glad you did.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have a "meditation tree". Now tell me that it is a Bo tree, just like the Buddha's!
ReplyDeleteAvus, No , it's just a little gnarly barked stunted tree with a bench under it. I love it and so do the epiphyte orchids.
ReplyDeleteI just love seeing the exotic (to me) pictures of your garden. And the idea of having a meditation tree...gonna have to borrow that one! As for following your heart to do what you want and being so happy AND making money at it...I am so happy that you had the guts to listen and obey that little voice within. Being scared is often what holds us back. (I know!) But the rewards are so great when we can finally see our way out of it.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo reminds me of a giant spiderweb!
ReplyDeleteAmyrehnae, that little voice was pestering me for years. I'm glad I didn't waste any more time too.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I'm learning to see things in a new way now that I am using the camera for blogging.
I always enjoy your blog but especially today. I hope some day I have the courage to quit my day job and really let my creative side have it's way. It's always there just itching to get out. Sometimes it makes me crazy that I have to stop and use my left brain for 9 hours out of the day.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about the cycads. Why do owners have to have a permit to grow one? I would think if it was endangered that people would be encouraged to grow them.
ReplyDeleteLadybegood, most of the time I love the monkeys....but there are times when I could throttle the lot of them. Not only do they raid my kitchen but when you catch them by surprise they piddle and poop everywhere....but I'm always aware that its a privelege to have them.
ReplyDeleteChris, whilst I was working at my day job I began showing my work to colleagues. Suddenly everyone wanted to buy the little pieces I was making and I couldn't keep up with the orders. I resigned to work from home.( Best decision of my life!) Even then I was only making what I thought were the money spinners. Its taken a long time to actually allow myself to do what I really want to do.
Stevie, cycads are so unique that people recklessly rip them up from the natural cycad forests for their gardens or to sell. A number of the South African varieties are in danger of extinction because of this. See the link at the bottom of this post.
What an inspiring post Robyn.
ReplyDeleteLove your 'reflective' photography...just beautiful.
I love reading posts that I can connect with whole heartedly...just like this one.
Love the ferns...I have them in my garden too...
Jo, I'm so pleased you find this post inspiring. I worried that I might sound a bit smug. My life is by no means "plane sailing"....like most lives, but it feels pretty good right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post! And interesting to know that following your heart and making the work that you want to make has turned out to be just as lucrative as the money spinners. I have a book called, "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow". A big step though. I quit my day job two years ago and opened my own studio. I'm still living on my savings and it's almost running out but I'm being patient and trusting that the universe will kick in and support me in following my dream. Your post gives me hope...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on having the courage to make the leap, Robin! How sad it would have been if you'd never made that decision and what a wonderful thing that it's proven to be just as lucrative! :)
ReplyDeleteKate, I firmly believe that if you focus on what you love to do, put everything into it, be aware of any new directions that might pop up, eventually things start to fall into place.
ReplyDeleteShayla, not taking the leap was making me unhappy
What a beautiful garden. No wonder you are inspired.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are singing your song. I know the feeling well. All of a sudden, it seemed, I was in my 40s, and I have soo much that I want to accomplish. You're an inspiration!!
ReplyDeletewhat lovely photos of your garden! how wonderful that you heard the call and followed it. your art is sensational! your story inspires me!
ReplyDeletesounds like an epiphany indeed.. every time I visit your blog I am enriched. I have had a similar experience recently.. gave up the job.. that is why I love Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. It speaks of artistic integrity... within yourself. And that you recieve better returns for doing the art you love...well that is simply magic.
ReplyDeleteI scrolled all the way to the bottom of your page....reading and looking at your beautiful photos....
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful blog you have and thanks so much for stopping by mine {via Nina} and saying hello !!!
I scrolled all the way to the bottom of your page....reading and looking at your beautiful photos....
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful blog you have and thanks so much for stopping by mine {via Nina} and saying hello !!!
Ro, Kerri, Julie, thanks so much.
ReplyDeletegrrl, The Fountainhead used to be my favourite book. I think I must read it again.
Beth, thanks for the sweet comment.
cool photos
ReplyDelete