The last time I posted (not including my post about Hurricane Irene) was July 10th. If my math is correct (and there is a good chance it is not as it is still quite early in the morning) that was 58 days ago.
I have never taken such a long hiatus from this space, and even I wonder what I have been doing all this time. I have to admit, the photo above poignently illustrates my perception of the last 58 days, slightly ascew with the focus on the minutia of life rather than what is happening in the world around me.
I wish I could return to regale you with tales of the marvelous adventures I've had since July 10th, but alas I cannot. I have had very few and done very little photography. It has been a relatively tame summer. It's the first summer I've worked since I had children 14 1/2 years ago, and work has left little time for fun, well, at least fun of the grand sort.
My kids each went to camp. Punch to Boy Scout camp...
Judy went to running camp.
And I worked.
Punch and Judy both went to visit their Grandma in California. It was their first time flying across the country alone using the illustrious "UM" service (unaccompanied minor).
And I worked.
I think they had a lovely time.
Do you see a theme emerging? Must I belabor it further?
This is not to say that all of this work, busyness and lack of creativity was without its small joys because there were many moments of quiet contentment.
I taught a class at Art Camp this summer, during which we made altered books.
I think it went over well.
And the Aged P's came to visit in the middle of August, during which time I took a week off of work. We all went to the Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA where I was more captivated by the light coming through the windows rather than by the artwork much to the chagrin of the orderlies who kept a strict eye on me to make sure I wasn't using my flash. I don't think they could figure out of what I was taking pictures. The streaming light aside, the Pisarro exhibit was divine but quite crowded.
We drove through the Berkshire Mountains to get to the museum. Can you believe that on top of the mountain, we saw maple trees turning red?
Mr. MacGyver, the kids and I also took a trip to Great Escape; however, since that trip represents the only burst of creative energy I've had since July, I think I will save those photos for another day.
Speaking of which, throughout this summer I have suffered from a tremendous lack of creativity, which is a shame since these few short months of summer are some of the best for photography. It happens though, doesn't it? We get overly busy and the rush and demands of daily life weigh heavily. Everytime I thought I'd get a few minutes to myself, someone needed me elsewhere. I am anxious for a little private headspace.
And so I am looking forward to the beginning of school on Monday for the two days of solitude it will give me.
However, this school year will be bringing with it great changes for my family. My kids are starting a new school and will be commuting 45 minutes each morning with their father. I am excited for them to begin this new journey, particularly because it means they will get an excellent education and get to spend a bit more time with their dad, but there is no doubt that things will change in both expected AND unexpected ways.
Which brings me to one of the things that has been burdening me during this 58 day sabbatical of mine. How are these changes going to effect me and my creativity (for, until this time, these two things, me and my creativity, have been interchangeable)? As our lives grow busier and my spare time gets whittled down to a bare minimum, how will I find time to indulge in the things that are important to me, the things that make me the person I am, the things that bring me inner joy?
When we moved to New York state from California, I threw myself into my art and creativity to fill the deep loneliness I felt. I pursued the creative life relentlessly and attempted, quite successfully, to create something on a daily basis. This is not to say that there weren't days I failed to create anything, but for the most part art became my way of life.
I would love to say that I am a person with large reserves of unbridled energy and that I can handle a 10 hour work day and still come home, clean the house, make dinner and find time to indulge my creativity, but I am not. I just don't know what will happen to this part of me as I begin to work longer hours as well as share in the burden of carting my children here and there. It will be a work in progress, and it may take me time to find my equilibrium (fair warning to you, dear readers). I have contemplated making up an art kit so that I can journal and collage on the road in spare moments, but I am not really sure if that would work. I have always been a person inspired by the immediacy of the things around me.
I would love it if someone could tell me how to make this work, but I fear that the solution is probably different for each individual. However, if you have any ideas, oh readers of mine, any words of encouragement, I would love to hear them. I am not sure every idea will work, but hearing how you have learned to balance these disparate pursuits might give me encouragement, and something you say might spur some little inspiration in my mind.
So, please, comment away or email me with your thoughts (you can find an email button up at top of the right sidebar).