A Worthwhile Plunge

Hard to believe, but this is the 80th uninterrupted week of posts to Eye of the Needle. When I first decided to create a blog I was concerned about a lot of things, most of which probably run through the mind of anyone who considers writing publicly. Would I have enough to say each week? Would anyone be interested enough to read it? How could I skirt an “it’s all about me” approach? …and so forth and so on.

Wine & Onion, stage one ©2016 Elizabeth Fram I mentioned last week that I had been drawing a sprouted onion a lot. It appears again in this experiment with water-soluble ink and watercolor pencils – in a sketchbook that wasn’t meant to take washes. Oh well.

Surprisingly, those issues have fallen in place relatively smoothly as it seems that there is always at least one thing that happens or that I read about in a given week that I think will pique someone else’s interest. And I truly enjoy that this blog has developed into the conversation I initially sought. (Thank you for your comments, both public and private!) But aside from those factors, I’ve discovered several unexpected gifts have materialized by showing up here weekly, benefits I never in a million years would have foreseen.

I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the writing itself. And in turn, I had no idea I would like the accountability that goes with a weekly deadline. Maybe it’s just that I’m such a creature of routine that I appreciate the solid regularity in knowing that I have to pull together one idea each week. It turns out that the resulting benefit is that this weekly thought-based commitment is healthy for my studio work as well.

I love having the opportunity to learn and to do research in order to flesh out the sparks of whatever each week’s subject may be, with the consequence that I’ve happened across some really interesting artists, writers and concepts I might not otherwise have encountered. In terms of giving back, it’s rewarding to be a participant – to pay forward the benefits I’ve gleaned from reading other blogs. I am passing along nuggets of info I hope might be of interest to you as a nod to the way that I have learned so much from others. Sharing through information and challenges swings open doors, leaving none of us feeling we are too remote, despite working in a solitary fashion. And although it can be supremely frustrating, I’m glad for the technological knowledge that’s been a side benefit. With each new internet/computer glitch that appears, I’m gaining confidence to rise to its challenge — or at a minimum, know that eventually I’ll be able to find a way to dig myself out of the problem.

Most importantly though, I value that this blog has been an opportunity to articulate the structure behind my own work while helping me to understand the ways and means behind the way I respond to others’ art. Because that requires drawing parallels and contrasts in order to better understand issues, it’s an impetus to seek out more of what is happening in the wider world of art.

I can’t say it’s a speedy process; I probably write way too many drafts, but it’s well-worth the time and I do believe I’m getting faster. That said, if there’s any possibility that you’re considering beginning a blog yourself, I would encourage you to go for it. Who knows what discoveries you’ll make.

Here are some links to start you on your way:

Once you’re up and running, be sure to send me the link!