Thursday, July 10, 2008

Got 5 Minutes?



One of the phrases I constantly come across is:

'I just don't have the time like you do'.

I'm a homemaker with two young men of 17 & 10, we have a country lifestyle (which equals HEAPS of washing), I cook, shop, clean, run classes, give private tuition, write a weekly illustrated newspaper column and have any number of projects on the go at all times!

I find time!
It is there I promise you.
You can manipulate it, stretch it, make it count!

It's hidden in your morning coffee cup, it lingers in the car park, it hides out in the doctors surgery, it looms over the cafe table.
Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. Size doesn't matter, the object of this fun game is to make EVERY second of it COUNT!
I search for it because I'm driven, I am passionate about what I do, I love what I do...I enjoy it!

The double spread above took just 6 minutes using the Posemaniacs website while I took a coffee break. The figures took 60 seconds each and the wash was thrown on in a minute.
I did something.
I learned something.
My coffee was still hot when I'd finished!

So when you next catch yourself saying 'I just don't have time!' Ask yourself this:

Is it that I honestly don't have time or is it that I simply can not be bothered?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a word of exhortation and encouragement!

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

goodness you are a ball of energy...whats your secret?? You are right it only takes a few minutes...but once i get started i cant stop...

Luba said...

What a nice post! Thank you.

seesue said...

Truer words..never spoken. Fill those moments, live that life. Thanks Anita.

Joan said...

Anita, I agree with you. Somewhere in the day there is a few minutes for a sketch. You just have to be prepared and have something to sketch with and on nearby.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Anita, your words are really a incentive for make better!!
Sorry for my terrible english!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'm bookmarking this post. You are so right. There is always time. I often spend too much time thinking about how my drawing will turn out instead of just doing it. Then I wonder where the time went. :)

I'm thankful for this post. It is just what I needed to day. Well, I had better get to it.

Thanks!

Anetka said...

amen!
btw. I have to stop popping into your blog for a time being...I mean let me know when you finish with this "food posts". I watch, I read, learn all that stuff about food and then run to my kitchen hungry!! I've already put on weight:)

but hey...you know what I mean...beautiful work you've got here on your blog:)

Spinneretta said...

you are absolutely right!

Cheryl said...

Well.....what a needed kick in the pants! Though I agree with Scquiltaddict - I can't stop either once I get going. And then I'm guilt-tripping over all the other "important" things I "should" be doing. Ah......but that's just another excuse, right?! Thanks for the enthusiasm and and "reality check"!

Margaret Ann said...

SHA...ZAAAM! How powerful! Kudoes!

Anonymous said...

it's absolutely true. I am probably busier now than at any time in my life yet somewhow I draw even more frequently. The time really is there, if you want it to be.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Ah! but we all cant create such wonderful works so quickly as this wonderful mother, columnist, art teacher and friend. You enthuse us all with your energy and commitment.

Kathleen said...

You are absolutely right & thanks for the mention of posemaniacs -I had never heard of it before - what at great site to visit and spend time & sketch- I am spending some of my preciaous art time there for sure - (cutting out TV is the best timer finder ever!)

Katy said...

Great post, Anita! I have a four-year old and a seven-year old, and I have found that some days all I may be able to do is a quick sketch. Thanks for the encouragement!

Helen Anne said...

Thanks for the push to posematics and to actually do the sketches. The first couple were very stick figure like but by the 6th one I could see improvements. Now to keep it up.