There’s an interesting article on the website Medium by tech pioneer Kevin Ashton (best known for coining the phrase “the internet of things“) called Creative People Say No. In it he talks about how productive creatives — productive is the key word here– understand the limitations of their time here and as a result weigh every request for their time against what they might produce in that time. It immediately struck a chord with me as I have known for many years that my time as both a living human and artist are limited and that for me to ever have a chance of capturing that elusive intangible answer that goads me forward, always just a step ahead of me and just out of sight, than I have to mete out my time judiciously. We have X numbers of hours and doing something other than that which I recognize as my purpose represents a real choice.
Ashton echoes my own feelings when he writes: Time is the raw material of creation. Wipe away the magic and myth of creating and all that remains is work: the work of becoming expert through study and practice, the work of finding solutions to problems and problems with those solutions, the work of trial and error, the work of thinking and perfecting, the work of creating. Creating consumes. It is all day, every day. It knows neither weekends nor vacations. It is not when we feel like it. It is habit, compulsion, obsession, vocation.
So, over the the last 15 years, I have wrestled over every choice that takes time away from the studio, in most cases declining invitations to all sorts of functions and putting off travelling and vacations. Even a morning cup of coffee with friend or family requires serious debate. For a while I thought I was agoraphobic but I know that’s not the case. I just view my time as extremely limited and shrinking at a constant rate.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with a painter friend a number of years ago. He had brought up the name of a well-known artist whose work he admired who was incredibly productive. My friend bemoaned the fact that he himself wasn’t as productive and wondered how this person could do so much. In the conversation he told me about all the activities that his life held– traveling , classes, music sessions with friends and time with his kids. I couldn’t bring myself to point out that he would have to start sacrificing something in order to be as productive as this other artist. It was obvious that his X amount of hours were spent differently than the other artist, who I should point out also had a studio staff with a manager and several assistants to boost his productivity. My friend made the choices that he felt were right for him and who could argue that his kids didn’t deserve even more of his time?
I think of this conversation quite often when I am faced with a choice other than spending time in the studio. Even writing this blog entry is gnawing at me because it has exceeded the amount of time I want to spend on it this morning. That being said, i am going to stop right here and get back to that thing that I feel that I have to do.
Read the article. It’s a good essay.
Redtree Times 
Exactly on target, and something I need reminding of on a regular basis.
I’m reminded of a quotation from Leonard Bernstein: ““To achieve great things, two things are needed ~ a plan, and not quite enough time.”
Yes.
Wonderful quote. I think we all discount our time all too often and feel a little too guilty in not giving in to requests for it.
On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 8:07 AM, Redtree Times
One of my wise mentors saw me once trying hard to please a client — compromising my own time, good judgment, and space as I tried to bend to the needs of this other person. I just couldn’t bring myself to say “no.” I kept trying to compromise myself so that I could accomodate their whims and needs. It was a terrible situation and as I got off of a very difficult phone call with the client, my mentor turned and said to me: “NO is a complete sentence.”
It changed everything for me — it allows me to trust my instincts, protect my time, and value myself and what is important for me. It made me understand that I should not feel guilty by saying “NO.” It may be one of the shortest and most important pieces of wisdom anyone ever gave me.
I had a business early in my life where I often went to extremes in trying to satisfy my clients. I definitely had a hard time in saying “no.” But ultimately I learned my lesson, discovering that it is a fool’s game and a waste of precious time in trying to please everyone.
I like your mentor’s advice: “NO is a complete sentence.” Perfect.
On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 2:05 PM, Redtree Times
You must have been reading my mind. I have always been in awe of your productivity and wondered how you are able to produce such wonderful work in what I consider a short period of time. Now I know! Now to focus and sacrifice in my little world!
Thanks, Loni, although I must point out that I am not as productive as I was several years ago. It seems as though each piece takes a bit longer now. I don’t know why– maybe experience has given me more options to consider at point in the process. All the best to you!
On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 2:37 PM, Redtree Times
“Productive creatives”?
Please (please!) resist the urge to turn adjectives into nouns.
I’m still trying to figure out how the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier turned into the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Does this mean you won’t be doing my portrait?
Thanks–you almost made my coffee come out of my nose! Okay, I’ll do it this time but you might not like what you get…
excellent. Do you remember that cartoon from the National Lampoon– two monks sitting at the table, under which the caption read “I wish I had the time to write like Tolstoy…….”
I don’t remember that one but that is pretty funny…
On Mon, Jun 3, 2013 at 12:42 PM, Redtree Times