WOW! THIS VISUALIZATION REALLY WORKS!!!

Museum by dumpr.net

This afternoon I received an e-mail informing me that out of 3,300 entries, my painting "Reflections on turning 65" has made the cut and I am a semi-finalist in the National Portrait Gallery competition. I was totally overwhelmed with the news! Who knew turning 65 would be such a wonderful event. To think I wasn't even looking forward to it.

They will pack, insure and ship the painting to Washington, DC for the final judging which doesn't take place until May, 2009. The opening of the exhibition is October 23rd, 2009. I am trying to find a balance between positive thinking and not being too overly confident so I won't be crushed if I don't make the final cut. Out of the 100 semi finalists, about 70 will be in the exhibit. I think I will print out the image of the painting in the museum and hang it somewhere in the house so I can continue to VISUALIZE MY PAINTING IN THE MUSEUM!

In the meantime, I think I should get busy on my next painting "I wish I was 65 Again"

TIME MANAGEMENT: THE ETERNAL STRUGGLE!

Since everyone is always asking me how I do everything, I thought I would post the best visual demonstration of time management that I saw once at a seminar.

Picture a BIG jar sitting on the table. First put in large stones that fill up the entire space. (these represent the activities that are most IMPORTANT to YOU! ) Next pour in gravel until the jar is filled. Looks full? Next pour in sand until the jar is full. Can't get another thing in? Take a pitcher of water and pour it in. Everything fits. Now, if you filled the jar in reverse order, YOU WOULD NEVER GET IN THE LARGE STONES (YOUR PERSONAL IMPORTANT THINGS). You don't need to schedule time to wash clothes, etc. because they will always get done in and around the other things. Maybe at midnight or a load in the washer while you are eating dinner etc.

The other visual I remember, (which I have acted upon ever since) is this: A large glass is on the table. If you try to pour anything more into the glass, it will overflow and nothing new gets in. There is no room. In order to add more to the glass, you have to empty part of it out! I evaluate all my activities at least once a year, sometimes more often. I sometimes have to let go of some activities to make the time for something else which is more important to me.

We are creative people. There is always a creative solution to life, including time management. I still manage to kill quite a bit of time but even that is important to me. I don't want to live a constant harried lifestyle. I have periods of hectic, frantic pace, but not constantly.

I did work on preparing a piece of watercolor paper for the drawing marathon on Sunday. It's not very interesting to look at right now, so here is the next Everyday Matters Drawing Subject: Draw your hand. This comes from my sketch book preparation for my "Reflections on Turning 65" painting. I will draw my hand again tomorrow but til then....

ACCEPTANCE INTO AMERICAN WATERCOLOR SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM ECSTATIC!!!!!!! Today's mail brought the fabulous news that my painting "Reflections on Turning 65" was accepted into AWS National Show. Most of you know that this is the most difficult show to get accepted into. You only get to submit one slide and they receive thousands. I thought I would never get in. Every year I would submit my best work and every year I simply made my financial contribution to their organization in the form of my entry fee. One of my favorite jokes is about the man who bitterly complained to G-d that he didn't fulfill his prayers to win the lottery. G-d replied, "You have to buy a ticket!" This year I have a winning ticket!

This painting has received so much positive attention. I had fun painting it, but Nava was the one who pointed out its potential. She gave me great feedback as to how people were responding to it. That is one of the important advantages of entering exhibits. Working in isolation, we don't always have total perspective regarding our own work. Every once in awhile, a special painting emerges from the stacks of ongoing work. I am now on the hunt for the next one. If you think you see one on this blog, be sure and point it out.

This painting will be featured in an article in Artist Magazine, March issue. It was awarded Best of Show in the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society show and was also the people's choice award. I will probably retire it after this show and hang it in a place of honor.