The Secret of Happiness

Lately I've been feeling under-motivated - a form of year-end creation fatigue, no doubt.  I've taken to revisiting books that initially inspired me to take the artistic leap, just to see if I could recapture some enthusiasm.

I came across this quote from "Re-Inventing Yourself" by Steve Chandler: "What if everyone in America was doing everything they could to avoid effort - and yet the secret of happiness was, in fact, effort?"

Effort is one of those double edged swords.  We can put forth tremendous effort, rolling that rock up the hill, then realize that chance, or fate, or a random change in the weather can send us back to our starting place.  Why do it?  Why fight when the odds against us don't play fair?  We can throw in the towel, close the studio door and find something else we could be good at, something easier than this art thing. 

It's a good question.  Why do it?  We can limit our understanding of effort in terms of cause and effect, that concentrated effort must result in expected success, and wander down a path toward something else, something easier.  And what do we find there?  "The biggest lie humankind has told itself in the past 50 years," Chandler says,  "is that happiness is available without effort." 

I ventured into my studio after a week of having the door closed.  It was cold because there are two windows and only one heating vent, and with the door closed warm air from the rest of the house can't get in.  If we shut ourselves off from the effort of creating we become like this cold studio.  The longer the door is closed the emptier the space becomes, until there is nothing left of our desire to create. 

It takes effort to leave that door open when the room is so cold.  Effort to pull out the canvas and squeeze out the paint. 

But ask yourself one question: when am I the happiest?

 

Comments

[Michele Kirkman]

That is a great metaphor: to link the desire to create and a cold room. Very interesting insight - thanks.

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art poster

[Sue Smith]

I so relate to the light issue. I finally re-installed the 2-tube fluorescent ceiling fixture in my studio - ugly, but does the trick with the daylight bulbs. I also have some floor lamps with cool white bulbs to try to balance the light temperature.

Plus there are so many family and social events during the holidays its tough to find the time to work - I think we should just relax, enjoy a good years worth of effort, and look forward to a better new year.

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[Maggie]

What a timely post. For me, this time of year saps me of all inspiration. It's too dark when I come home from my day job to really see color (I simply _must_ get better studio lighting), I don't get enough daylight time to get outdoors, and all I want to do is sleep. But when I do force myself to at least draw in the evenings, I feel better.

Only 19 more days until the sun begins to linger in the northern hemisphere. I'm counting on the solstice to recharge my creative energies.

[Sue Smith]

Gotta love that chocolate.And coffee.

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[Katherine van Schoonhoven]

What a great topic! I set little challenges for myself and then work on those until I feel I've reached some level of mastery. In the last couple of months, I have taken up oil painting and my teacher sets assignments for me (right now I'm working on 10 still life monochrome 5 value studies).

If I'm really out of the mood for painting, I'll set up a paint date with a friend. Sometimes the social pressure helps get me off the couch of comfortable non-painting and back into the frenzy of ideas and ideas of new things to try.

I truly believe that any day I get to paint is a GOOD day. And I love having GOOD days. Sometimes, that's motivation enough.

Chocolate as a backup.

[Sue Smith]

Excellent point, Fiona. Enthusiasm comes from taking action. If I sit back and wait for it, I'm waiting a long time.

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[Fiona Purdy]

I put in the time and effort because I just never know when "this" will be the time it pays off.

I just do the work if I feel like it or not.

I can't win it if I'm not in it.

[Sue Smith]

What a great false opportunity, Patrice. I like the idea of setting up a situation where the artist is expected to perform. What if we set up these false appointments with ourselves and then followed through? I do think the hardest part for many artists is the self-mentoring aspect, and setting small goals seems particularly useful as some of the previous comments attest. Thanks for the suggestion!

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[Patrice Federspiel]

I SO identify with your post Sue, thanks for sharing.

Three or four days a week you will find me painting in public, at the hotels in Honolulu. Sometimes this means that I have to paint, whether or not I'm inspired in that moment to paint. I really appreciate this false necessity to paint on a regular basis. Fortunately once I get started, the painting process takes over and, you're right, I am much happier.

[Sue Smith]

Thank you for your friendship, Pat. Love the Rusty Doodles!

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