Welcome to MissouriBendStudio!

This is an online journal of my artistic investigations and a way to communicate about my work, ideas, quandries and queries! I welcome comments and conversation and do hope you enjoy these musings. My artwork is available in my shop MissouriBendStudio on Etsy.com or on my website.

Translate

Friday, January 13, 2012

Living and Working From Core Values

I've been thinking about core values again....a subject I return to periodically in my life.  I believe each one of us has a set of values out of which we are operating and living our lives....or not.  That is, we are sometimes living our lives not in line with our core values.  That's when life doesn't feel so good anymore....out of sorts, depressed, etc.  Our bodies know what is going on and if we are quiet and listen to our inner selves for long enough, our minds come to an understanding too. Maybe things just aren't right and we can't figure it out.....I'd say that's when it's time to stop and take stock.  First, you have to understand what your core values are....I'm certainly no expert on this, but I think that many things in our lives contribute to our core values and they are what make us who we are. Often we have resolutions or things that we want to do and yet we don't do them, in which case my experience has been that there is some kind of conflict with another value that we hold dear, which perhaps we're not willing to see.  These things can shift and change over time, but I think it's really important to have a handle on what you value, not just in your head, but in the core of your being.

All this leads up to a meeting I had with my core values this week and once I understood that I was down and depressed because I was no longer operating out of my core values, everything shifted....I felt lighter and back in my own skin, in a strange way.  The tipping point was the realization that I was chasing after a job, any job, even one that could possibly take me farther away from myself, just to have a paycheck coming in.  My aspirations and values to surround myself with people and environments which will help me grow and learn and be in line with the kind of life and lifestyle I want to lead, somehow were no longer at the forefront.....I could tell I was afraid that I might get myself in a situation in which I'd be miserable, just trading anxiety about money into some other kind of misery.  But, it unfolded a little further as, at the same time, I understood that my own artistic practice had strayed from the values I hold dear.  Where I value a process that is slow, one that builds over time, layered with history and meaning, I had been in a sort of production mode, short circuiting all my values for the "marketplace".  Not only was the "marketplace" mode not working (hence the need for a job!), it wasn't as satisfying to me as it might be for others....I had somehow lost my trust in those long held values I'd been carrying for a long time.  All those realizations happened in an instant as I tried to focus in my whole body as to what in the world was wrong with my world....and I must say, although nothing on the outside changed, everything in my world felt immediately okay.  A shift....here's how I can say it the most simply.  Perhaps now, as I've slowed down to enjoy the process of making, I am aspiring to sell the work that I make (translate: find loving homes) rather than making the work to sell.  It's huge....that difference is huge and it requires a great deal of trust.....but it makes me happy and I feel more in line with my values.  You might guess that I don't have any new finished pieces to show you....but here are a couple works in progress.  Lots of stitching on handmade paper dipped in beeswax....so satisfying.




There's a long way to go on both these pieces, but that's okay.....it's the way I used to work!  I'll keep you posted.  

In the meantime, our balmy winter weather has disappeared for a few days.  Although we didn't get the snow many folks did, it got mighty cold and now we've returned to a usual winter scene (minus snow on the ground) of ice flowing down the river, which is really quite lovely!  The bald eagles are visible most days, fishing over the water, perching in the trees behind the house....beautiful!



Once the flood waters receded early in the fall, we were left with a HUGE sandbar the size of a small island....perhaps it will become a favorite place for birds to hang out....eventually, I suppose the river will claim all that sand once again.

Enjoy your weekend! And thanks so much for listening!

22 comments:

  1. Hi Patti. I'm gazing at these wonderful shots of the river thinking about times when I've thought similarly to you about the whole day job/real work/creative life thing. Pity we can't fish that river to feed ourselves! I loved reading how you worked through some of this stuff in your post and about realizations I have turned over with myself. Wishing you all the best. Ax

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie....yes, I'd love to live like those eagle we see these days (much rarer sights in the summer!) fishing the river. So good to know of the network and kinship of friends across the globe....we all share so many of the same joys and struggles. Best to you!

      Delete
  2. Hi Patti, good for you! Taking the time to find our core values is something every artist needs to do. Actually, every body needs to. Thank you for this post. It spoke to me to stay true and to follow my values in my art and life.
    I wonder what wildlife will settle into your sand banks?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole, thanks for your comment. I'm glad to know this post has resonated with you....one has some moments of trepidation after putting such personal feelings out there in the world....it's good to share support with like-minded friends. Yes, the sandbar is a big question mark....it's just so huge, we can't quite believe the river left it all behind! Cheers!

      Delete
  3. I must admit I like that our bodies/minds/spirits let us know when we have moved too far from our sense of self and what matters to us. It's hard sometimes to slow down longer enough or still the chatter to listen; but always worth it. I love these two pieces and they appear to have that slower, layering feel to them already. Those last little dancing folk are fabulous! Good luck along the way - testing this and that; and finding yourself at home again. Go well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fiona....I know you share these same struggles and somehow always come back to yourself and to listening with an open ear. Yes, I feel at home with these pieces....not to discount the other work, but I find I haven't been giving the work the time to unfold in a way that makes for more richness.....these dancing bits are pretty fun....I'm thinking of them like little dust motes floating in the air! Thank you, as always, for your support and good cheer!

      Delete
  4. P-glad the raging river is calm again; you are safe; and as you say you might have the best bird viewing platform on the sandbar island. Go well and create well. B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barry....yes, an amazing bird watching platform! The eagles woke us up this morning....you can here their call....my first vision the morning was of one of them flying over the river in front of the window! A bit later we watched on riding one of the small bits of ice down the river from several houses up....just amazing!

      Delete
  5. What beautiful photos, totally alien to me in the UK, ice flowing down a river....
    New Year often bring reflection and assessment - but I think we know things deep down inside, just we lose them, or ignore. So the trick is to remember, keep hold of them and keep them to the forefront - it always has good intentions, but its not always easy to do. I don't know how you'd do any work at all when you look out onto such views.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beverley, the views are amazing to be sure! The views from our house are just beautiful at any time of year and change dramatically with the seasons. Amazing how much better we feel when living true to the spirit and the things we know! Hope you are finding the new year full of good cheer and possibility! Many thanks for your comment!

      Delete
  6. Focusing on enjoying the process rather than on what will sell makes all the difference. i have this battle with myself regularly and the moment I go back to creating what comes naturally at a comfortable pace, all feels well. At Christmas time I take on too many commissions and at the end of it I'm miserable because I'm racing and curbing the ideas that want to flow. Your post is such a good reminder. Thanks Patti. I love your new pieces. They must be meditative to create.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robyn, so hard to find the balance isn't it?! And so much space and time required to make the work that is ours to make....but I believe we owe it to the world to do just that, because no one else can do what you do. Glad this post has resonated with you....your blog and your work is always an uplift so glad to have been able to give a tiny something back. I'm looking forward to the meditative time in the studio today! Best wishes!

      Delete
  7. Just like "core", I call this process getting back to centre, probably from my pottery days where one can't 'throw' a pot on the wheel if the clay is not centred. I, too, have had to make peace with not being the money-maker I once was, my self-value suffering in the process, but there is a grace, dare I say nobility, in living in synch with one's personal values. It is, I believe, a personal act of freedom and, in a way, an act of heroism when it is done with consciousness (intention).
    I love your process shots, Patti, and see a difference in your work already. I don't know how to describe it except as the feminine -being- seems more true to process, than the masculine- doing- which is about culmination, reaching the goal. Of course, we're all caught between the 2, singing "do-be-do-be-do" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lorraine/Echanted Blue Planet: Well, your eloquence and charm is once again a delight. Of course, now John and I will always remember the little ditty you've just posted: do-be-do-be-do....it's exactly what it comes down to! Thanks to you for your comment and hoping you are finding the space to create from your heart! Enjoy the process and the unfolding seasons!

      Delete
  8. It is a brave thing to look deep inside ourselves and learn who we really are and what we really need and make life decisions based on that. It sounds easy, especially after reading too many self-help books, but it is not as easy as it looks, especially when being encouraged to do "profitable" things by an often shallow outside world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim....I know you well enough from your blog to know that you understand this post. I hope your newly cleared work space is giving you the encouragement to be with the process and create from within rather than from some outside force. As we know, it isn't easy, but totally necessary! Wishing you all good things....finding enjoyment amid the turmoil! Thanks for taking time to comment!

      Delete
  9. this is essential for life and work, especially the work of an artist. we owe it to ourselves and each other to operate from the inner core rather than from external influences, and so to take time to be and know that inner core. what a delicious paradox: to create work that adds value to others, we need to disregard what others expect of us. it does require a great deal of trust, as you mentioned.

    thank you for courageously sharing this important revelation.

    your new work is looking loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anca, thanks so much for response. This post has struck a chord and it's so good to have each for support! The paradox you mention is, as you say, delicious....the implications are great! Thank you for stopping by....cheers!

      Delete
  10. The tension between needing to have an income and staying in line with your heart/core values is a tight rope to walk. I am glad you are feeling lighter. Continued wishes on creating your innermost satisfying work & the income to go with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelcey, I think you are someone who has been able to walk this line of being true to yourself and bringing income back from your work, which I totally respect. Love your work and appreciate your comment here and support! Wishing you continued success with your beautiful work!

      Delete
  11. Patti, so strange to come late to this post and then read exactly what has been going on in my own thoughts - and daily life - this past week! I know all too well what you are going through, birthday twin! My jobsearch and art plans both hit a snag - and now I know why. Things have not felt "quite right" in terms of the next direction I need to take both professionally and creatively, and the trouble was at the core, exactly as you've described! Until I got that right, I could not honestly - or successfully - commit to anything. Best of luck, my friend! I'll know when you find your path because I will probably stumble upon mine the same day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gabriella....What a great story, although I'm very sorry to hear of your struggles! We are made of the same stuff, and I think that's why we've been drawn to libraries all our lives. I'm okay with branching out, but I have to be involved in something that aligns with my core....funny how we know inside so much more than we allow ourselves to recognize. I'm keeping track of you....our paths are definitely parallel!! Best wishes to you, birthday twin!

    ReplyDelete

I'm happy to hear from you...comments and questions are welcome!