It's a Season

I'm starving to do some work. 

Some of my own, new ideas that float in my head and work themselves out in the studio. I long to open the kiln and see shiny new pots signed Lisa Ingram underneath that lid- rather than another load of work made by others in my studio. I long to not be tethered to the ever present list of custom orders. 

But it's a season.

This was the summer of kids and customs. My personal artistic expressions were places on the back burner for these important and exciting endeavors, more so than I anticipated.

I miss my work. My art.

I'm learning, still, how yes is not always possible.  That time is not always permissive of the yes to every request of my business, my life, my social calendar. Jon's back to teaching school now and I'm reminded how much available work time I don't have. To update social media, respond to inquiries, photograph a few pots and ship an order essentially takes a whole naptime- if not a whole day.

But it's a season.

This mom gig makes me really scrutinize what is important to me. I'm an "and" person, not an "or" person. But that is something that is going to change. I only have so much I can do in a day and to level here, I'm not planning on maxing out that capacity. I love my role as a mom- its exciting, thrilling and rejuvenating. I will choose to be there for the little things with her over grabbing an extra minute in the studio. I love our days together.

So all in all, I have it pretty good these days, watching my girl grow and taking care of my family.  But when it comes to pottery, I need to be sure I get my fill, as an artist. I need my "me time" and can't just host class after class without downtime to get down with some clay for me. I need that time to be an artist. To do what I set out to do, create. To make something beautiful and graceful from a piece of simple, honest mud.

It's only a season, but this is a season of letting the less important things go. Of clinging to the important things and making them your life. For me, today it's family, faith, and my personal artistic endeavors. 

Maybe it's not really a season after all. That sounds like a pretty good plan for many seasons to come.