Friday 17 April 2009

Illustration Friday on FRIDAY! Impossibility.



Well.......girl can dream, can't she?


The Bait

Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands, and crystal brooks,
With silken lines, and silver hooks.

There will the river whispering run
Warm'd by thy eyes, more than the sun;
And there th'enamour'd fish will stay,
Begging themselves they may betray.

When thou wilt swim in that live bath,
Each fish, which every channel hath,
Will amorously to thee swim,
Gladder to catch thee, than thou him.

John Donne



Postscript: I’m thrilled to bits and pieces that I actually managed to get the Illustration Friday painting up on Friday for the first time in months! I know, I know – it sounds quite mad, but I’m really pleased with myself. It seems that I’ve been careening around like a blue-bottomed baboon recently and not achieving anything of noteworthy significance. Not like you amazing people out there in Bloglandia. Many of you have going-out-to-work jobs, and on top of all that you manage to multi-task with astonishing efficiency. You paint, you write, you create – all of this in addition to everyday life! Gosh.

I look at my blogger dashboard each morning with tingling anticipation to see who has posted and I sit there with my jaw on the floor, agog with admiration. Many of the wonderful people I’ve come across out there in the Blogosphere make me bellow with raucous laughter, or have me nodding in recognition. There are those artists, writers and poets who leave me gasping in awe at their talents and skills. Each day I can share sweet memories or read beautifully told, brave stories of heartbreak and healing. I can gaze at evocative photographs or find a new book to add to my list, discover a great recipe or learn a little more about life in far-off places. It is a wondrous place, this world we share.

I’ve tried, but I just can’t keep up! I want to spend hours reading your wonderful, inspiring, funny and heartwarming blogs and then leave a meaningful and well thought-out comment to show my appreciation. I want to write and paint and post on my own blog so that I, too, can share with all of you, but I don’t seem to be able to catch up with myself because it seems I always hit the ground running like a chicken with a rocket up its nether quarters.

If there is anyone out there who can give me some time-management tips, I’ll be indebted forever! Seriously. I’m sooooooo tired of my blue bottom. And, please, dear bloggy friends, forgive me for stopping by your places for a quick catch-up and not commenting recently, but….well…it’s the blue bottom syndrome, y’know. I have finally finished two - very big - paintings that had to be done to a deadline, so hopefully things will cease being quite so chaotic from now on!



31 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

I was actually thinking the same thing this morning. And I am retired! Since I'm really good at making rules for a day, here I go, a few rules for myself. You may borrow them, amend or chuck.

1. Visit one three blogs a day. Comments optional

2.Post only once a week.



I'm going to try these rules next week.

sallymandy said...

Dear Tessa, your post made tears come to my eyes, because you yourself did what you were describing: you put into words perfectly the feeling and appreciation I have for all the talented, beautiful and expressive people I have in my extended blog-life. I understand, I agree! I made a list of all the benefits of blogging that I've had this week. It was so long....! I also don't have as much time as I'd like.

However, I've been reflecting on this. I kind of like the blogs that have a kind of disclaimer up about "I appreciate your comments and I get to as many as I can..." or something. It lets me know that if I don't hear from someone regularly, it's because s/he's busy. I'm giving myself permission to visit my favorite blogs 1-2 times a week instead of every time someone visits mine. And I want to amend my "about me" to show that so my bloggy friends know that's just the time-management reality, so they know what to expect.

I don't know, but this is a GREAT topic, about time management.

I find I'm also resorting to a few really short posts. And when I have a few extra minutes I'm stockpiling some of these in my
"drafts."

Please don't pressure yourself. I love what you do, when you do it. This painting is lovely! Really, thank you.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Yes, yes, yes! My words exactly, Tessa!

We're all in this mad thing together, it seems. All I keep reading lately is how frustrating it is to juggle blogging, work, family and life. It appears we're all a few hours short on our daily schedule...

I will soon be posting about how happy I've been since I started blogging (very few months ago, 3 to be exact). But I will also add a disclaimer. I start a new job on Monday, and that means I will not have time to pee, let alone blog. The little time I will try to snatch from work will be channelled into quality cuddles with Mr E., my bambino.

I'm in your same muddle, so I'm afraid my advice may not be efficacious. I find some time management relief by stocking up on post drafts, which I then correct and post later.

Your words were touching, and the painting is, well... simply dreamy.

The Donne poem has always made me cry with hope for good love.
Thank you for all this bounty of love.

valerie walsh said...

Firstly, your painting is awesome and it seems totally possible that if you walked into your hiome that you would have a clawfoot tub with a mermaid :) I think your art and blog are amazing and I feel like you said, I'm not sure how all these people do so much, I feel lucky to post one picture a week and I can barely keep up with life and the blogs but as you said, a girl can dream :) My husband is excited about the soup recipe, he read it this morning and was very happy to think he might be eating this.

pink dogwood said...

I can use some time managements tips as well.

The best this about blogging is sort of this unsaid - no obligation - friendship. we are glad to hear from our blogging friends when they can write and when they can't we understand they are busy. so it is totally optional and you shouldn't feel guilty. I work full time, have two kids, two dogs with all kinds of after school activity But most evenings, after homework has been done, dishes have been washed and the counters have been wiped, I love to sit down with my laptop and chamomile tea and see what my bloggy friends are up to.

I love the painting - absolutely love it.

btw, who are all the good looking mug shots on your side bar :)

Diane said...

You work is with out a doubt the most gorgeous I have found. Your colors just astound me....what do you use, oil? Pastel?

Valerie Lorimer said...

Amazing piece! Love the colors you used. Beautiful work.

Woman in a Window said...

Tessa, you do what you can, when you can, and forgive yourself the rest, otherwise all the goodness will fall away. It is impossible to keep up. Just indulge and enjoy.

Debra Keirce said...

Tessa, we all have time management issues, I think. But that's a good thing! It means we have many interesting things to occupy us - more than we can ever fit into a day. I'd rather be this way than be bored!

Delwyn said...

Hello Tessa,
I am one who posts daily at the moment and I am able to do that for a few reasons:
One is I am almost retired,
2nd that blogging is new to me and the novelty hasn't worn off,
3. I don't watch any TV so blogging is my relaxation evening time,
4. My kids are all grown up so I have no further duties and chores in that regard...

BUT we cannot get broadband where I live and we pay a large monthly fee for wireless. This morning I saw the bigpond bill and the excess over and above the regular fee is astronomical.

So that bill will be a deterrent this coming month.
AND I will have to compose more off line, visit fewer friends...
make a plan that works for me...

Anonymous said...

Loving the bath - so want one like that!

I think you have expressed an issue for many in blogland. The balance between the real world and the cyber world.

We have all found such rewarding places to visit and such interesting friends with which to share all manner of things and one can so easily feel obligated to feed the blog, to visit and comment lest our far flung friends think we don't care.

The truth is, the pleasure of blogging must be balanced by what feels comfortable. I used to be so diligent at visiting my blog pals each day, but the list keeps growing and there isn't the time, so now I do it in manageable lots, so that I visit all my favourite blogs once a week to catch up.

There are a handful I visit more often, but these are the blogs of folks who have become friends over and above blogging. We have all connected with a few folks and friendships grow through emails and sometimes we even get to meet.

Blogging is a wonderful thing, but we must learn to master it, manage it and so get the most out of it.

It's taken me over a year to find a comfortable balance of time spent writing and planning future posts, visiting my blog friends and time away from the laptop having a life.

Good luck with finding your balance and stop by and say hi, but only when you have the time.
;~)

Angela said...

Dearest Tessa,
I love you from the bottom of my heart, and you can just do what you want! Your time is only yours, we all understand and face the same problems! Just you go on painting!

Unknown said...

ha, yes, the blue bottomed blogger syndrome, I know it well... Sometimes you just have to prioritise and take time out. One way to do it is to limit your own postings, the other is to set aside one day a week for blog visits, or to only visit a set number of blogs per day.

I love your painting and the John Donne poem - both remind me of other images and words - Sara J's paintings of her plump ladies in their baths and Yeats' poem The Wandering Aengus.

Hope you have a fabby weekend xx

Janelle said...

love and ADORE the mermaid painting..i WANT IT! mermaids crop up in the most amazing places in africa...even in zambia in the middle of the bush painted lovingly on the outside of a mud hut...such mythical beautiful creatures...BEAUTIFUL PAINTING xxx j

Ces Adorio said...

No time management tips, I am terrible at managing time but I know what you mean. I have the greatest time blogging with so many talented and brilliant women, some I have have gotten to know outside the blogs. Absolutely wonderful that I know these women now, they inspire me and make me go on with my fickle attitude towards art and making art. You are one of these women I so admire. I love your style and your words are beautiful to read.

Polly said...

I know what you mean about blogging and commenting - it's so time consuming! And I also start to feel guilty that I don't comment on all blogs I visit but I could make it a full time job now that I have discovered so many great blogs...

I love this picture, I wish I had a bath like this :-) Oh, and thank you for reminding me of John Donne...

Caroline said...

Yes, indeed - I never manage to post IF on time and there should definitely be more blogging time available! In theory I have plenty of time but it seems the more time you have, the more you need! I enjoy following your blog and endeavour to comment when I can - your art is super!

Linda Sue said...

It takes me a while to take in just one of your posts- The art is so wonderful! Relax, girl. bloggworld is not demanding at all Bloggworld is grateful! For YOU! I like that you are a blue bottomed baboon who scurries like a chicken with a rocket in it's nether region...great visual!

Anonymous said...

I agree with lakeviewer. I've had to start setting a limit to how many blogs I can read...keep it to an hour, post, and be done. Blogging is fun and rewarding, but the life around us (kids in particular) are what is important.

studio lolo said...

Dear Tessa, we can't keep up with every single post or comment, my goodness! Take some pressure off yourself. I set deadlines all the time and stress when things don't get done and then my husband reminds me that my 'deadlines' are really arbitrary anyway because they're self-imposed. I have friends that don't understand why I just 'can't miss' an Illustration Friday post just once. Perish the thought!
This virtual world of ours should be fun without pressure, right?
Okay then. Let's you and I relax a bit about what we haven't had time for and know that our friends will love us anyway ;)

Beautiful image btw, and congrats on the Friday entry. I understand!

Reya Mellicker said...

It's an embarrassment of riches, isn't it? I can't possibly make it around to everyone's blog, so I just do what I can (I have no methodology, I just jump around).

Love the painting! I feel just like that in the bath.

kj said...

i love this illustration! what a unique and colorful concept.

and no, you don't have to visit my blog unless you find yourself there.

best to you,
kj

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I love your painting too. In fact I liked it so much I had to go off and have a bath after a hard day's gardening and walking. I also identify strongly with your thoughts on blogging. I have a few sort of rules too: I try to blog once a week. I try to get to other people's blogs around about once a week too and to comment if I read. The only time it doesn't work is when one blog leads to another and I find myself irresitibly adding to my list, but there would be no fun if we didn't do that, would there?

Loni Edwards said...

I am sooooo glad I came across your blog on Illo Friday! What beautiful colors! I love it! I will be back :)

Irene said...

With all the comments you get, and you trying to respond to them all, it's no wonder you have no time for anything else. Blogging takes a lot of time, hours of your day, and only we semi-retired people can have the option to put so much of our time into it. You, who live a very complete life, do not have that option. You have to cook and write and paint and keep your household running.

Dear Tessa, you're doing great. I am happy with your posts and paintings and comments and don't expect you to double the production. There is great quality in what you do, don't forget that. That's very important.

XOX
Irene

Lori ann said...

Oh i am so glad you wrote this post Tessa, it's so easy to think you are the only one who feels this way and now I can see all these great comments wonderful people mostly feel the same way! and so much good advice! I love what Rob had to say, and Angela, everyone...I still haven't decided the best way but please don't ever feel you must come for a visit or even to leave one of your beautiful comments, I know how you feel about me.
Oh the painting is gorgeous too!
♥♥ and love,
lori

A Cuban In London said...

What I loved most about the painting is that the mermaid is black. It might be irrelevant to some people but after seeing myriad white sirens luring men to their ultimate demise with their singing, it is refreshing to see a curvaceous black mermaid enchanting fellow bloggers and readers. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

ceecee said...

Dear Tessa -
This illustration is just beautiful!

Reading your post script was like listening to myself! I'm so glad you wrote that. My mantra seems to be, 'Where do they find the time?'.
I'm going to read all the suggestions your readers have left - just as soon as I find the time! But first I must leave you another comment on another one of your posts. See what I mean?!!!
Catherine

Exmoorjane said...

Come and paint this on my bath - it's a big blank white canvas!
Won't even go into the blog debate - I find it an impossible one. jxxxx

Tessa said...

Gad - how lucky am I to have got to 'meet' so many absolutely fantastic people? Thank you all so VERY much for your wonderfully thoughtful comments, each a little treasure. Seriously. I can't even begin to describe how important your words are to me - thank you all. xxxooo

adrienne trafford said...

it's as beautiful as you are