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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Watching The Baby : Lessons From Cara



Work wise, it hasn't been a terribly productive week... which is, of course, the point of holidays.  That doesn't mean I haven't learned something...or been reminded of things... and by my baby grand daughter, too.  I've spent most of the week just watching Cara.  This is partly because she is the most beautiful little girl (I'm her granny, I would say that...).   But it was also because she showed me some stuff, and I think it's very pertinent to artists everywhere.

1. Look at things as if you had never seen them before.  Cara, of course, has never seen all sorts of things before, but she looks at everything in the same way, an intense stare that takes everything in.  Her focus is admirable.  Artists need to look at things in this way, taking them all in, seeing something fresh and new in them.  Of course, Cara's first step after looking is to try tasting...I don't recommend that with paint.

2. Keep trying.  If you don't crawl today, you might crawl tomorrow.  Similarly, if you don't make a masterpiece today... well, I'm sure you can join up your own dots.

3. Be joyful; the world is full of opportunity.  You can learn from everything, no matter how small or commonplace, if you just take a bit of time to contemplate it. And, of course, enjoy it.

4. Ask for what you want.  In Cara's case, that involves a lot of screeching; in our case, it might be a request for honest feedback.  If you don't ask, you're not likely to get.

5. Sleep when you're tired, and don't worry about it.  I like this one.  Better work gets done after a nap than when in need of one.

6. Love everyone and everything.  Cara does that naturally... dislike comes later.  Being positively disposed to self and others leads to better work, I think.  And you certainly get more cuddles that way...

7. Wriggle a lot.  Get out of your comfort zone, and into the new stuff.  It's fun!

8. Keep asking questions.  What if I just do this... In Cara's case, what if I press that button...brings lots of music from her toy phone.  Which she loves (the music and the phone, not to mention the bright flashing lights).  Try it; it might even work!

9. Above all...enjoy what you're doing.  If you aren't... then either apply rules one and three, or do something you do enjoy.  Life is definitely too short.

With love from Cara and me x





8 comments:

smarcoux said...

new outlook through the eyes of a child how refreshing .. and put in such a wonderful way Marion.
xx

Irene Donovan said...

really enjoyed that Marion

marthamarques said...

She has your look -- intense, wise and, as you said, looking at things as if for the first time.

artmixter said...

Thank you, everyone. Cara is one of the lights of my life, along with my son, his wife and my lovely husband. I am very, very lucky.

Unknown said...

A really inspirational post Marion,and yes, I agree, we can certainly learn so much from viewing the world like a little child does, and Cara is gorgeous.

Bossymamma said...

Such useful lessons to be reminded of.

Annie said...

Beautiful grand-daughter and wonderful words x

artmixter said...

Thanks again to everyone who commented... we really appreciate it.