Fall Cleaning

"Creativity is a gift...it doesn't come through if the air is cluttered." 

- John Lennon

Here is a picture of the studio right now...the definition of "clutter".  I haven't gone in there in five days because just the thoughts of it eeks me out. It's like a big messy monster waiting for me. My neat-freak, borderline OCD germaphobe husband has to walk through it every night when he comes home from work and bless his heart I think he's using every ounce of self-restraint not to wring my neck. 

After recently completing two large new paintings for my upcoming show at Calypso St. Barth in October, working with my mom to refinish some large pieces of furniture for a friend, caring for an unexpectedly hospitalized family member, teaching yoga at Exhale Spa, receiving a new art supply order that came in bulk, and embarking on the journey of getting one little person off to kindergarten and two to preschool--and our family of 5 adjusted to our Fall routine,  I've found the studio in disarray, and my artistic mind too cluttered to think, much less produce.

Creativity comes in waves. I've learned this over the years.  Learned to surf the highs and wait through the lows, knowing another wave is always just around the corner.  After coming off the high of producing new pieces, I'm cruising through a valley right now and ready to make some space for new creativity to happen.  I literally have to clear this out.

The word Aparigraha, translated from Sanskrit means non possessiveness or non grasping. Aparigraha gives us the permission to let go of not just excess material goods, but also the fear and clinging we experience around trying to protect what we think we own. All suffering is caused by our resistance to loss or change. It is so simple: When we cling, we suffer. Aparigraha is really about letting go. It’s about living the moment. 

Remembering there are far, far greater things ahead than anything we leave behind.

All right. I'm off to clean-wish me luck.