• Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial

The Grateful Artist

3/9/2012

Comments

 
Picture
I confess that I like Mondays. This does go against convention apparently. Mention this in conversation and polite people smile indulgently. If they are less polite I usually get a derisive snort and reasons why Mondays are not favoured.

Mondays give me the opportunity to start putting into action what I thought about on the weekend. This is key. Taking time off on the weekend to think and plan gets me ready for action on Monday.

Weekends are for relaxing I hear you say. True, but relaxing and quite contemplation go hand in hand. They get my creative juices flowing. I am grateful for this.

I am grateful that I do not face Mondays with dread for what lies ahead. I think of those entering cubicle hell, perhaps fearful confrontations with a mad boss, customers, bank managers, teachers, creditors or even real danger such as mining or just general drudgery. I am grateful that many of these jobs are performed for our benefit and the greater good. It would be a happier world however if the folks carrying out these jobs loved their work. Unfortunately many do not. This makes Mondays a dreadful day for many. It is very sad.

I have read and been told how important gratitude is in our lives. I have heard that true creativity can only reach a higher plane if accompanied by a grateful heart. I agree with this. I have first hand experience of it. Good things happen when accompanied by good thoughts and positve action. Some call it serendipity. A long word that usually gets me odd looks if I use it in general conversation.

There are a few things I know for sure about gratitude. The success of my day depends upon it. If I choose to let events bring me down and I lose my sense of gratitude. I am no longer able to create effectively or at all. This drags me down further until my sole aim is simply to get to the next day. Can you relate? How many times have you said to yourself: "I cannot wait for this day to be over. Tomorrow cannot come too soon." The day is a write off!

Of course there are events of significant distress that will ruin a day. But these are few and far between. We are often sabotaging our days with idle events. Little things to moan about. These are our energy killers. Artists have a way of dealing with this. They can get to work. Whether preparing a canvas, cleaning the studio (note to self: may become procrastination) or getting down to the main event - making art. This is where we must express our gratitude.

Our ability to work and thus to live our passion. It is the flow of the universe through our creative actions that makes time disappear and the moment all supreme. It could not happen without gratitude. Gratitude for the air we breathe, our health, our senses, our ability to see the world and appreciate the incredible energy that created this all. Let us be grateful for something and focus on that.

Ignore the purveyors of bad news, whether they come in print, TV or in person. You will allow your inner self to find freedom from the clamor of an ungrateful world. This will give your natural creative self a moment to come forward. The energy will be felt again as channels for its graceful flow are reopened. Have your pencils, brushes or whatever you need close at hand. You will soon be creating again. 

Comments
    FREE Book
    Picture

    Color Tips for Artists:
    ​Free
    Picture

    Book Bundle Special
    See More
    Picture

    Author

    Malcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa
    View Portfolio:

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Artist Notes
    Books Worth Every Dime!
    Its An Artists Life
    Musings
    News
    Painting Course
    Painting Demonstration
    Painting Tips
    Podcasts
    Popular Posts Archive
    Reviews


    Picture

    Picture

    Visit Malcolm Dewey Fine Art's profile on Pinterest.

    FREE
    ​GUIDE

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Picture

Studio:  Troon Crescent, Port Alfred, South Africa
​Malcolm Dewey Fine Art is committed to top quality art, excellent educational material and having a great time! To back that up all works sold come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Simply return the work, undamaged, within 30 days. Returns at purchaser expense. All transaction are protected by third party bank-level encryption to keep your information safe. Plus your email address is safe. No spam - ever!

​Copyright 2010-2020: Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
​
Picture
30 Day Money Back
Picture
Secure Transactions
Picture
Picture
No Spam Ever!
Photos used under Creative Commons from maHidoodi, buggolo, Fabio Téllez
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial