September 22, 2011

Wow! What a weekend! I'm still bubbling over with joy at all the fun I had. I flew to New Orleans with my husband and two friends to attend the Ponderosa Stomp, a music festival featuring unsung heroes and heroines of rock-n-roll, rhythm & blues and other forms of American roots music. Their mission is to celebrate and pay tribute to these pioneering artists while they are still alive and to bring their gifts to a wider audience. There were so many moments of musical transcendence that I am still reveling in it all. What was also inspirational to me was that most of the performers were well over 70 years old.

I was in awe of their mastery of their instruments and their complete and utter ease on stage – something that comes from years of experience. That is one thing that I have always loved about being an artist. I see it as a long game. You keep at it and you can only get better. The artists I admire most are not the hot-young-artist-of-the-moment but those who have had a long and inspired career, continually innovating and always dedicated to their work. Those who have kept to their own vision, unfettered by market demands or fashion.

I think making art of any kind keeps us alive and vibrant.

Ever notice that artists don't retire?

I've also heard not rushing and going at your own pace are essential components to living a long and healthy life.

I've noticed most of my stress comes from self-imposed deadlines. Where am I rushing to, anyway?

I'm learning to ease off and take things at my own pace. So what if I don't get "there" as fast as some others might. What's the rush? I'm enjoying the scenery as I go.

Wishing you a sensational week, as always,

P.S. I'm excited to share with you my dear friend Sue Sullivan's article on going at your own natural pace.

Living At Your Own Natural Pace
by Sue Sullivan

I believe we each have our own natural pace. Some of us are fast, some slow, and some in between. My mom used to tell me I was slow, and I was. I loved to dig deep and savor things, so I hated rushing. As an adult, I thought you had to be fast in order to be successful, so I tried to increase my pace. I ended up getting sick over and over again from pushing myself too hard.

Since going faster didn't work, I devised ways to become more effective in what I did. In fact, at one job, the boss told me I got more done than anyone else that had ever held that position. I wasn't working faster. I actually worked less hours than a lot of my predecessors. Instead, I was focused on being most effective. Since then, I've chosen jobs that value effectiveness over how much you got done. I chose jobs that didn't require me to work at a fast pace.

A few years ago. I hired a life coach who told me that when people go at their natural pace, they are most successful. I resonated with the idea. Even though I had changed my focus to being effective and not fast, there were still times I pushed myself to go faster. I'd been bombarded with society's message that doing things faster and getting more done is the key to success. It was a hard belief to let go of.

Read more…

Thursday 9/22, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ – Acrylic Materials & Methods Seminar

Saturday 9/24, Arizona Art Supply, Tempe, AZ

Friday 9/30 5:00 – 8:00 pm, Open Studio at my new studio in Emeryville, CA

Saturday 10/1 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Swarm Gallery art opening Tall Tales: Collaborative Projects by John Casey & Friends (I'll have a piece in this show and attend the reception.)

Thursday 10/6, California State University, Fresno – Layering Color with Acrylics

Saturday 10/8, Allard's Fresno, CA

Monday 10/10, Mills College, Oakland CA – Acrylic Materials and Methods Seminar

Saturday 10/29, ArtMax, Seaside, CA

Monday 11/7, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Wednesday 11/9, Sunday 11/13 Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC

People fall in love with the quiet, ephemeral quality of Michele Théberge’s drawings, paintings and installations constructed from delicate and light materials such as paper, paint, fabric, mylar, foil and pins. Collected internationally, her work has been exhibited in New York, Osaka, London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Miami and the United Arab Emirates.

As a recognized expert in acrylic painting materials and methods, Michele travels the U.S. and Canada inspiring thousands of artists from beginners to established professionals with the latest techniques and materials. Her popular online Mindful Artist Mentorship Program (www.themindfulartist.com) teaches up-and-coming artists how to tap into their creativity at a deeper level, and move into the realm of professional artist. More experienced artists appreciate Michele’s gifts for helping them stay accountable, focused and effective in their studio practice and career. www.micheletheberge.com

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Michele Théberge is a professional artist who nurtures and mentors other artists who would like to deepen their creativity and get their work out in a bigger way. Her weekly Mindful Artist Newsletter inspires hundreds of artists each week. If you are ready to take your art to the next level, you can sign up for a FREE subscription at http://www.themindfulartist.com

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