Friday, August 17, 2012

About a Decision

I have decided to give up writing this blog for a while. It has become too difficult to give it my Friday mornings when I want to be in the studio.

There are a few other things I need to do that have been waiting for a long while. It remains to be seen whether I will get to them now. This current painting project has become all-consumimg. I imagine the fever will abate once it comes close to being finished but that also remains to be seen.

I will use the blog for announcements of shows and such and also to promote the June open studio event. And I might even write on a somewhat sporadic basis. I'm pretty sure that when this new work is more resolved I will want to put images on the blog. And maybe there will be something I want to say now and then. We'll see.

I started the writing on October fifth, 2009. There have been one hundred and fifty-two posts (counting this one). I planned to stop in March of 2014 when I would reach my eightieth birthday, but alas, my best laid plans needed rethinking. The truth is that I seem to have run out of words for the moment. It might be that a few weeks off will restart the engine but at the moment I am full of painting and short on talk.

So my dear readers, I thank you all for the time and attention you have lent me. I have enjoyed hearing from you and loved feeling connected and making the friendships. I bid you a fond (and perhaps temporary) farewell.

14 comments:

  1. I'll miss your weekly musings but am glad you are giving yourself more studio time! Looking forward to seeing what emerges.

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    1. Thank you, Annette, I, too, am looking forward to seeing what emerges. The vision and the results are not always the same.

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  2. I am sorry. But luckily I am signed up through email so will still recieve a mail when you post. Your paintings is quilt like so I enjoy them a lot.
    Thanks

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  3. I'll be sad to see your posts dwindle away. Your writings about art and about you are something I look forward to. But you must do what works best for you.

    Personally, I like the blogging philosophy of one of my blog world friends who, like me, has a health problem that saps her energy for long stretches. "No obligation blogging." No self-imposed deadlines or schedules, no turning it into another job. Enjoy the blog for what it is and write when you are able or feel like saying something. And if you want to take several weeks off, by all means. This is someone with a wide following and many blogging contacts, so the formula has not hindered her ability to keep a readership. Actually, most of my blogging friends post quite erratically. And their followers all keep in touch. So I do hope that you don't think of your blog as defunct if you no longer keep a schedule, and that you'll still feel the need to write every now and then.

    Good luck with your all-consuming project and the other things that need your time!

    xx

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  4. Joan, I haven't read every one of your posts, but I've enjoyed them all. Now I will have a chance to catch up. I always appreciate your diligence, your charm and wit...your unique perspective. Best wishes on your painting projects!

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    1. Hi Joy, Thank you for the support. I hope life is treating you well. I always think of you as a youngster and I am sure you still are that.
      J.

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    1. Alas, I can't stay quiet for long. I have tried before and failed.
      J.

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    1. Thank you, Rachel. Stay tuned. I think I will be back 'ere long.
      J.

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  7. Dear Joan: I enjoy reading your blog but I truly understand the conflict of interests you have been facing. Unless you are primarily a writer, "every week" is daunting.

    But "give up" is strong language! I would love it if you could think of "taking a break" instead, which sounds kinder. You are a special person – be kind to yourself...

    I shall miss you.. Andrea Penn

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  8. Well, Andrea, I found my self writing a blog in my head today. So I guess I won't remain silent for long.

    Thank you for the support.
    Joan

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  9. I already wrote a comment, but perhaps it didn't go through. It's kind of interesting that there's been some discussion on at least one other blog about taking a break from writing. Personally, I like the no obligations approach to blogging--no schedule, no pressure. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing activity. Selfishly, I do enjoy your posts and hope that you won't give it up entirely!

    I didn't realize that you and Andrea know each other. (Hi Andrea!). Such a small world.

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  10. Hi Chipmunk, Now I've published both. Just a little slow this weekend as I've been dedicated to doing as little as possible. The painting obsession has been draining but I'm ready to take it on again tomorrow.

    Thanks for staying in touch. It's always sweet to hear from you.
    Love,
    J.

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