Comments on: The Balancing Act of an Artist

By: Charlene

Charlene — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:13:53 +0000

In real life as well as in real art… everyone’s process is different; the experiences individual; the outcomes beautiful in the eye of the beholder (which is all that freakin’ matters.)

Carpe diem!

Charlene
The Balance Beam Babe

By: GoGo

GoGo — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:10:01 +0000

The jar is never full without the sand, and hence life is not fulfilled without you!
Your balance act is art in and of itself! Thankfully there are those who think outside the box! You are one of them!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:52:20 +0000

@Ashley…Raven…..yes, we all have to wear many “hats.” Tough to juggle for sure!

@Kelly….Mr. Stupid….thanks and yes, see you around.

By: Raven

Raven — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:54:21 +0000

Writing, being a single parent, struggling with physical and mental illness… when you find the answer to finding balance between artistic endeavors and domestic responsibilities, let me know, I could use the advice!

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:28:35 +0000

Let me tell you buddy… I feel like a maid, waitress, cook, butler(or whatever the fuck the female version is!), a chauffeur, I have to play porn start in bed, I have to play ‘nice’ with all the stuck up mothers in school… SO YES I feell like a fucking cheap whore!!!! And people wonder why I’m a crazy bitch??????

By: Mr. Stupid

Mr. Stupid — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:16:04 +0000

Wow. Very well said. Loved the way you expressed yourself. I would have assumed myself to be the lid of the jar which is empty. And that is because, I am not married and nor do I have kids…
Anyways, have a wonderful weekend…:)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:42:25 +0000

Hang in there! LIve long enough so that they can take care of you hand and foot. Heh heh. That’s the best -well, not revenge- but I think you know what I mean. That’s what my dad is doing for me and has been for the last four and a half years. Zippity-doo-da! But anyway, I can’t imagine dealing with that type of dual role -unless you want to count my Dad as a dependant of sorts.

See ya around.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:33:23 +0000

@meleah……yes, we agree on that. But sometimes it’s just so frustrating.

@nothingprofound……..you have such a unique and refreshing outlook on things. Thanks for sharing!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:32:07 +0000

@Cher……you are so sweet. I’m blushing!!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:31:30 +0000

@Jen….yes, it never fails. But you’ve got the right attitude for sure. Such a positive outlook!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:30:43 +0000

@E…..I’ve been a slave for a long time. Thanks for your kind words!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:30:14 +0000

@Brooke….so true! And yes, I realize that. It’s just difficult sometimes.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:29:15 +0000

@BK…..I’m not sure it’s life testing us, but yes, those with determination often achieve all their goals.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:28:08 +0000

Thanks Date Girl. Funny! You’ll be a great mom I’m sure.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:27:19 +0000

Yes, I can feel your frustration. Me too. We just have to keep going for our small victories. Very cool about your music!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:25:49 +0000

Thanks for your support Tina. I’ll try to keep that in mind when I get frustrated. Your story about the founder of Walmart hit home!

By: Tina T

Tina T — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:51:30 +0000

I think that whether your passion is art, music or even business you will have regrets about your professional life when you have a family. That being said, I think that these regrets are still nothing compared to the regrets you would have if you felt you were neglecting your family life. The founder of Walmart said on his death bed that he was a failure because he had a son who wouldn’t speak to him and other family members thathe meant nothing to other than a big inheritance. Look at Michael Jackson, the most successful musical artist of our time, but one of the loneliest men ever.

You’ve got it right with the focus on family.

By: Cathy Voisard

Cathy Voisard — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:33:03 +0000

Alas, guys. You know that this subject is hitting me particularly hard right now. After a blissful year of unemployment, which gave me time to start my blog, I am now once again in the office doing what I dread most: accounting.
I must say, I don’t have it as bad as you. I don’t have kids at least. I honestly can’t even imagine it. Three cats are kids enough!
I, too, dreamed of a beatnik life of discussing poetry and writing over cups of espresso and writing whenever the urge struck me. But like you say, this isn’t reality. My year off was like a dream come true; but unfortunately I always knew it was only a temporary dream. (Of course I had dreams of my life turning around and being paid to write, but this didn’t happen!)
I still want to make time to write, and I was happy I updated my blog last weekend.
I, too, am involved with music. We have music every Friday night and have various guests over to perform with my boyfriend and I. Because my boyfriend is involved with it too, I’ve kept up with that. And we even hit a recording studio ourselves and did a demo while I was off work. A great accomplishment! But while I’ve always done music, my true passion is writing.
I find the balancing act a little depressing, actually. Thanks for the post.

By: Date Girl

Date Girl — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:48:39 +0000

I feel like I’m doing a balancing act between career woman, aspiring teacher, fiance, and housewife, all in one! I know I want kids too, so then I’ll be wearing the Mommy hat as well. But I think that’s the fun part of life, the balance. I’m not sure I’d want just one job. It sounds to me like you’re doing a good job of balancing, and as long as you have some time for yourself and your art, you’ll be a better dad/husband/musician/teacher for it! Keep up the good work, whore!

By: BK

BK — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:53:16 +0000

I’m still working on the balance of creating more time with family and friend and yet cashing in. Perhaps, life wants to test us on how determine we are too.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:59:42 +0000

Life just gets in the way. Period. And, I don’t even have kids. But, then again, life inspires art

By: E

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:48:29 +0000

Very well put! I love how you describe yourself as the sand, but remember it is the sand that also holds all the rocks together. So you should be very proud of you life of a ‘normal’ artist. And yes, life always seems to get in the way of the fun stuff ~ and sometimes the fates are against us but one day fate will go our way!

And PS I love the fact your sick kid is ringing the bell for you! You are now a slave lol

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:41:04 +0000

I just decided to make my family part of my art. I still haven’t found balance but they are such a part of my creative life whether being part of my blog or my book. I do understand how the fates seem to conspire against you. Without fail when I have a meeting with a client or worse a potential client one of my kids will get sick, usually the one who can’t be left alone all day long. I figure I will really get my act together in about 12 years when the little one graduates.

By: askcherlock

askcherlock — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:32:36 +0000

My husband’s mantra is “Life is about finding balance.” And it’s so true. Even when your children become adults, parenting in one form or another remains. It sure sounds like your are on the right track, and I know that isn’t easy. Just be aware that those of us who know you through your work admire your artistry. And those of us who know you through your blog admire your candor, sincerity and great writing abilities. So you see, you have fans at home and fans here. Voila! Balance.

By: meleah rebeccah

meleah rebeccah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:50:59 +0000

Life does get in the way of my creative flow as well.

I am forever responsible for taking care of my family first – which does not always allow me, or afford me – the time to really WRITE. Thus, its been two years and I’m still working on the rough draft of my first book.

But, much like you said, I wouldn’t trade my family for ANYTHING.

By: nothingprofound

nothingprofound — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:25:17 +0000

For me, life comes before art. That’s why I write aphorisms and why until 6 months ago I never even showed them to anyone. I want to be free and flexible to do whatever the moment calls for, not be tied down to one thing as if it were the be-all and end-all of my existence. The way I see it, everything in my life has equal value, whether it’s writing an aphorism or going for a walk or spending time with friends or even brushing my teeth. The last thing I’d ever want is to live and breathe my art, to have that kind of obsession. That wouldn’t be freedom or happiness to me. Breathing the air is good enough.