Listen to blogs 
Only our own searching for happiness prevents us from seeing it. It is like a vivid rainbow which you pursue without ever catching it, or a dog chasing its own tail. Although peace and happiness do not exist as an actual thing or place, they are always available, and accompany you every instant.
Gendun Rinpoche
I was inspired to paint this week for two reasons; a new artist reached out to me for advice and support and I was introduced to an established, gallery-represented artist in Tracy’s post about Laurie Koss. I learned something equally important from both of these women. They proved to me that the journey is just as important as the end result and the only way to perfect the end result is to keep on doing what you love and stick to your vision.
This is my journey. A guy recently told me that he’d read it takes 10,000 hours or ten years of practice to become a success. We joked about the fact that so often we put in 9,999 and then jump to something else. Perhaps it had to do with being afraid to make the commitment, we thought. What if I put in the 10,000 hours and by hour 10,001 I find out I still haven’t become a success? Would that make me a failure? And how does talent fit into the picture, no pun intended?
A famous singer once said “You rehearse 10 hours a day, seven days a week to get a show note perfect then they insult you by calling it talent. As if all that hard work didn’t matter”. What I get from this quote is that it takes a combination of some amount of natural ability and the 10,000 hours to become really good at what you do. Makes sense.
If success were simply measured by how much money one makes or how big an audience one commands then you’re leaving out the best part of the equation which is, how happy are you doing what you’re doing?
The artist-guy I was talking to about all of this wanted to be a sculptor but he had to support a family, so he put aside one dream (to be an artist) to take care of another (having a happy family). I call that being a success and I bet his wife and kids would agree. If I were to add up all the hours I’ve spent actually practicing my art I’d have to say I’m nowhere near the 10,000 hours mark. If I include all the time spent thinking about painting… but that’s another story.
I always want a quick fix, immediate gratification. I want to see the end results right now ~ but I’m learning to be patient. Today’s Thursday and I’ve got a coffee date, a hair appointment and a dry grad meeting at the high school. No time to paint. I’m hoping Friday I’ll get a chance to log in another 5 or 6 hours. Only 6,000 or so left to go.
Goddess Tara
Jacquie Janzen Yee
Tracy Westerholm
Bonnie Johnson
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Thank you Jacquie for your thoughts and advice. I think the 10 000 hours is key.
My mother is a potter and when she was learning, many years ago, her instructors told her that potters should not sell any of their work until they’ve potted for 7 years because you only want to put your work out into the world once you’ve mastered your art.
To be given that time frame is really a wonderful gift which would allow for nurturing and growth. I’d love to go off and just paint for 10 000 hours! Could you imagine the end result and the relaxation and Joy you’d have along the way? I suppose I could take the 10 000 hours as I’m retired-but even then it’s funny how I’ve filled my days up with societies and guilds and friends and golf and kayaking, gardening and hiking. Then there’s Bridge and travel and oh so much out there to enjoy.Hmmm…now it seems it’s a question of how much time do I want to commit. The best do commit their all.
You have put things into perspective here.If you want something it means a lot of work toward that goal for success. .
You ladies do make me think. I love your blog. I suspect you’re getting near 10 000 hours of working on it!
Now I’m off to get some hours in on my art before a meeting at 2:00.
Love your picture already-you have made a good start on it. I already feel joy looking at it.
Many years ago I attended a seminar on short story science fiction writing. The instructor told us that we should plan on completing one piece per week for a year and only after that amount of effort could we hope to sell something to a sci-fi mag. Even then success wasn’t guaranteed. Kathy, what I was reminded of by you is that you have to enjoy your subject and have faith in your vision. I felt that uplifting feeling when I saw your work. That doesn’t take the 10,000 hours to achieve; it can be instantaneous in some cases. That’s where the talent comes in. I think I do have a smidgen of natural talent but I have to kick it into gear by putting in the work now.
Thanks for being a part of Tara Cronica and adding your inspiring voice. We love it!
I think it has a lot to do with passion. If you have a strong passion for something then putting in 10,000 hours practicing it doesn’t seem like a chore.
And you are so right that the journey is far more valuable than the end result.
I hope you enjoy every brush stroke and every moment tapping into your creativity.
And when you are finished one project feed your passion by doing the next.
I love your latest Jacquie!
The thing is Bonnie, I haven’t been enjoying every brushstroke because I’ve been second guessing my every move. And I’ve been so distracted by all the other fun things there are to do in life. It’s so easy to lose focus. I’m passionate about being creative and sometimes that means spreading yourself too thinly in certain areas. I wonder how many people out there feel the same way? Jack of all trades, master of none?
Yeah, that’s how I feel sometimes (Jack of all trades, master of none). Find something new, and oooo I can do that, it looks like fun, and then switching to something else more exciting as it comes along. I’m getting better about not jumping around so much as I get older. Sort of like weeding the garden or cleaning the closet. It’s hard though. Good luck
Your painting is beautiful.
I remember having this conversation with you Jacquie and found the whole idea really interesting. Great Post. I think that it does have to do with having passion for what you are doing or pursuing. I also think that when you have a family you also need to balance your dreams with reality and have employment that will pay your bills along the way. The reason I am also a Rep for Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry and take care of our Incorporated Company. One day I will be on a full time Tara Cronica Adventure along with the two of you !! Woot woot ! It just keep expanding each day doesn’t it !!!
Jacquie…the first painting in my most recent collection sat on my easel for five years while I cared for my family…I can’t paint if my house is a mess or the grocery shopping needs to be done or someone is unwell or I have a meeting to go to…consequently I really don’t get a lot of time in my studio…honestly I actually don’t worry about it or think about it much…I know that it will work into my life when the time is right…when the time is right to paint, I paint…I am getting more time in my studio as my children grow, but family always comes first…it always had to for me…there will always be time to paint or sculpt at some point if it is important to you…and painting or sculpting (or sewing or writing or studying or cooking or whatever) has to be about the process and not the product…if we concentrate too much on the end product we will not enjoy the process…I really believe that success should only ever be measured by how happy we are right now…to me that really is all that matters and if enjoying the process leads someday to other people enjoying your work too, then that’s icing on the cake (but its not the cake!)
I love that you had your art sitting looking at you while you took care of your family. I have had that happen with pieces I am working on I know the topic and have a rough draft but know I am not ready to explore it yet and so it sits there for however long it takes. Family should always come first!! Timing is everything isn’t it Laurie, I feel the same way, you can’t rush some things in life they will cross your path when they are good and ready! I also agree it’s like traveling it’s not about getting to your destination it’s about the entire route on the way too. The process !! There is no better moment in life than the one we are in …now !! I love your passion Laurie it really comes across in your words as well. Do you write by any chance ? T
Thanks, Tracy…I love to write! I don’t write professionally, though I have done some editing…my degree at UBC was a major in Art with a minor in English…I would consider writing professionally if I were capable of original thought which apparently I am not…hahaha…I have the skills from my education, but not the originality… I have tried, but that is definitely not where my creative juices seem to want to flow…my creativity is much better expressed through my art and my photography, I guess