Playing it safe by doing too much?

I have always been someone who likes to play it safe. Playing it safe keeps me from failing or sticking my neck out and having my head cut off. I am prone to people pleasing as well. This character trait kept me safe, so no one gets angry. One of my people pleasing techniques was to always strive to do way too much. If I appeared to work hard and do so much, then who could fault me or become angry? Maybe you know where this is going. I’m now in my late 60’s. I don’t try to do everything.

Simple is better to avoid overwhelm

Simple still life paintings are my specialty. I have come to understand the reason for this. Being an artist or in my case a painter, I paint because I must. There is an undeniable desire inside to create, to be a maker of things, doodle around and produce something that brings value to the world, to look at, use, give as a gift, to inspire a sale.

When I tried to do more than I could the result was unfortunate. My internal stress level would cause physical hardship. Back pain, neck pain, overwhelm, depression and occasional self-loathing. Why self-loathing? Because when I screamed at my kids for just being kids, I hated myself.

Now I know how to keep it simple

I wish someone had told me then what I know now. You don’t have to do it all! Do what you like and do it well. Being a mother and working full time doesn’t allow for selfcare. So put that one item at the top of your list. It is the most important.

Now that I am retired from the work force and producing paintings, I still must remind myself, don’t paint everything. When I attempt too large of a composition or too many detailed items in a still-life or landscape, I lose the purpose. My purpose is to delve into the process and simplify to portray the essential. When I do this I am happiest and make better paintings.

“The art of painting is to attract attention only to what is necessary.” Eugene Delacroix

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