1. got home
2. procrastinated
3. had drainpipe from the second-floor bathtub spring a leak that necessitated stripping the first floor bathroom to the studs and joists and spraying-spraying-spraying diluted bleach all over everything until all the mold died, then having new walls and ceiling installed
4. procrastinated
5. made an appointment with a Professional Photographer
6. procrastinated
7. came up with a sketch and did a little sewing
8. stepped out of my own shower, flipped my wet hair back, and severely sprained my neck
9. procrastinated, but felt justified because of the Pain
10-13. procrastinated
14. panicked
15. realized this panel is part of series (based on Moby Dick) that I've had underway for a while, and saw how I could finish it
15a. finished it
15b. went to the photographer's, managing to get lost only once en route (which is a record for me, really)
16. shipped -- as instructed -- via post, the disk to the stern but ultimately kindly Quilt National folks (aka the major show and venue). felt deeply relieved and uncharacteristically serene
17. was nearly f**cked by the post office who, it seemed, had misdelivered the package. Wept. In public. And I'm not a crier. Decided Never Again to use the USPS for anything but bill payment, if that
18. was relieved to learn that the package was, in fact, delivered -- slightly in advance of the deadline
19. waited, stalled on all other fronts, from then 'til now to see whether the angst was worth it
20. learned, yesterday, that my submission was declined for further review, felt deeply relieved, and realized
YES
IT WAS ALL WORTH IT
IT WAS ALL WORTH IT
I never seriously expected to be asked to stay up late with the big kids, my goal is always 'show up and see what happens.' And I'm sincerely happy about simply seeing it through. (Persistence has never been my long suit.) It was weirdly fun, with very much an air of a great adventure, and I may someday Do It Again. But I am greatly relieved to be released from Waiting to Hear, surprised to find out that that's mostly what I was doing all month (August 30 to Sept 29), and looking forward to getting going again on the various things that were stalled during all the with-bated-breath time. This must be what it's like to be Rip Van Winkle and wake up after a long sleep.
Meanwhile . . . here's the BW2R. I'm happy with it. That's the main thing, maybe the only thing.
(Photos by Howard Goodman)
(Photos by Howard Goodman)
and in detail:
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13 comments:
Ah, so sorry for the fateful ending. I know how much angst is generated in the waiting. (And so sorry for your extreme dislike and misfortunes with the USPS. We're not bad people, really.) And sorry about your bathroom. Hope all is better now.
But I am glad to see your new post and lovely artwork. It is very original and looks labor intensive.
(And, P.S.~ I can SO identify with the procrastination part.
Thanks katie, I know that my problems with the USPS is not the fault of the rank-and-file. It's the hideous policies and procedures part.
It's good to be back. I didn't realize that I was so actively waiting to hear and os inactive on all other fronts until the spell was broken.
Your openness about process strikes at the heart of ever artist's angst in working and submitting pieces!
Thank you.
This quilt is quite intriguing and I'm sure you'll find a future exhibit for it.
I'm starting to believe that it's better to do the work, set it aside, and at some point know that the best venue will come available.
Waiting to Hear is very funny, very sad, and very revealing about onself. You write very well.
I lack the guts. I don't deal with Waiting to Hear. And less well with We Liked You But. You did very well, and must do it again.
And from Don Es: keess
ah the long awaited continuation.. so nice to read your words again, thank you! I am looking forward to seeing this piece in person, it intrigues me.. and i too procrastinated while in limbo waiting for that fateful thanks but no thanks answer, now i am ready to move on...
Melinda,
I do think I'm going back to 'doing my own thing' and just letting it be what it is. I'm actually not so swept up in finding venues as it might seem from these posts. I got swept up in "everybody's doing it" and thought -- why not give it go?
Marie,
There are days when I think that my tombstone will say: She was good, but not quite good enough. Prizes are nice, and I wouldn't walk away from one (or more, especially the ones that come in the form of cash) but, funnily enough, the work really is it's own reward. I never thought I would feel that way about anything, and I'm very grateful that I do.
and from Hallow een: thanks and back at ya.
Oh Natalya, I had such mixed feelings when I heard from Jane that your work was also declined. (I hope that wasn't supposed to be confidential...but since you've mentioned it...) On the one paw, I thought: what a pack of idiots, Natalya's work is breathtaking. On another paw, I thought, I'm in an awfully exalted company of 'rejects' if Natlaya's work was declined. On the third paw, I thought: what could they possibly be looking for if Natalya's work -- which is breathtaking -- was turned down? On the final paw, I thought, f**k 'em. Life is too short to be consumed by trying to figure out that which is baffling -- such as declining Natalya's work which is, did I mention this?, never less than breathtaking.
Maybe we should have a "Can you believe QN declined this?" night at SAQA after my Thursdays-at-NYU commitment concludes.
Excelsior, mes amis
(or whatever that French plural is , good gosh high school language classes were a long time ago...)
thanks for the compliments and the laffs.. and yes life is too short - moving on!
Procrastination? I think that crown sits squarely on my head!
I wish I could see these pieces, touch the threads. Spare, but telling is how I described your work to a friend.
And on the postal dilemmas...I hope the boffins at both ends have, by now, got the sketchbooks to you?
What a jubilant feeling to discover the work itself is the reward and nice work it is, so subtle, yet complex and organically architectural. Procrastination? We have so much in common! (and I must remember to subscribe to this blog so I can get these posts on time!)
mit: yes the sketchbooks arrived and I am firmly procrastinating on all three fronts. I have a clear idea and some progress for one, half an idea for another, and much musing on the third.
ellen: it is fun -- who'd a thunk it? thanks so much for the compliments. I was such a classicist when I was younger, I am deeply amused by finding myself so drawn to abstraction and minimalism now that I'm arting.
With you all the way there Melanie. Wish I had read this properly before, and your friends comments, but glad I have tonight!
#1. Good on you for submitting your work.
#2. Cant believe you didn't get accepted.
#3. Problems with the postal service is universal.
#4. There's nothing wrong with procrastinating till the time is absolutely right.
#5. Perseverance is a different thing, and to be encouraged.
#6. I'ts good to be different, but three paws is a bit unusual!
#7. Your submission design is beautiful to my eyes.
#8. Word Verification is difficult when you've had a glass of wine! :o)
david -- you made me go back and check ... there is a "final" paw after the third one. (I guess I'm less 'original' than it seemed.)
Well, it's back to school for me - not just to larn countin' but reading as well!
Nah, you're still an original!
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