When there’s so much painting to be done, sleep can wait until I’m dead ;)

in art •  7 years ago 

When there’s so much painting to be done, sleep can wait until I’m dead ;)



Greetings fellow Steemians,

..Inspiration waits for no man!

Never before have I been so fueled with inspiration while being simultaneously so sleep deprived.

Not that I'm complaining or anything. On the contrary..

These past couple of weeks I’ve been working insanely hard. My latest sleep cycle has been alternating from around 8 hours of sleep, but then being awake for roughly between 22 to 24 hours and repeating.



I can honestly say that I’ve definitely been getting some solid painting in. And of course when I’m not painting, I’m constantly writing or engaging in some in depth research pertaining to learning a relative skill.

I’m fully aware of the eminent burn out, but I have to admit that I’ve been excited in the challenge of seeing how far I can carry this productive and creative momentum through.



I am also aware of the sacrifice, but the consequences or results of not willing to accept the risks are by far much worse.

I’m feeling quite appreciative actually in the opportunity and my own abilities in taking advantage of this qualitative time of efficiency.



Granted yes, there will be a price to pay, but like Jordan Peterson has recently said..

“You get to pick your poison, but you don’t get to choose to not pick one.” -Jordan Peterson


..Right?!

It’s a very strange experience in realizing that even though it can be burdensome and even tragic, you still get to pick that weight to bear.


When I first began blogging on here, I remember it being very confusing and daunting.
Just the idea of obtaining the ability to have some reasonable amount of control over the platform and generating consistent written material was completely overwhelming to point of paralyzation.

For those reading who are familiar with the writings of Seneca, I could guess that one can see the similarities in my spirit of having the attitude in perceiving obstacles or challenges as guideposts in pointing to the right direction.



In this realization of my own limitations, I have found this strange sense of gratitude and control in maneuvering towards my goals.

..And now back to the drawing board!

Please feel free to let me know what you think?

Thanks for reading everyone!

-James Hansen

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jameshansenpaintings.com

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  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Ha ha! I'm stealing the image of Böcklin! =)
While I do applaud your consuming passion, do pace yourself. Regular (disciplined) work and sleep patterns will ratchet up your productivity. Works for me. =)

Yes, please do! To tell you the truth it's actually quite a popular meme ;)

And yes, I would have to agree! In fact, I would advocate the use of cultivating some form or forms of systematic disciplines. I mean after all, to a lesser or greater extent our own bodies are functioning in a similar way which allows for them to work in the first place right?

The problem I see though is that reality, or our external conditions more often than not don't allow us enough room on a consistent basis to perform with in these idealized parameters. These parameters, or predetermined sets of what we would define as "needs" for example won't always fit as reality is always changing.

So naturally the conclusion would be that one has to always make adaptive choices. And with every choice there is always some element of sacrifice.

So with external reality, I manage it, I set priorities, thus there is always the time needed for painting. It was one of the biggest leaps forward I made with my artwork, making it number one in my day. This is what allowed me to give up on all of the side jobs and focus solely on art.

So yes, you are correct, there is an element of sacrifice, and you have to be strategic with what you sacrifice and keep the bigger / longer term picture (pun) in view.

Love it. Ride that wave.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Ahhhh.. the obsessive passion to create. With single-minded ferocity and calm. Standing in the center of the ecstatic realm.

Love it. And am looking forward to more of your posts, @jameszenartist. Upvoted and resteemed already and will FB/tweet also.

Thank you so much! :)

Aaawwweee i love this post @jameszenartist Nothing can stop an artist from doing what he loves indeed... UPVOOTTEEDDD

@johnrel Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :) When one is willing to be honest with oneself, the option of choice is taken out of the equation you know?

Correct . I agree when we become honest and aware of what we want. We know exactly what to do and whatever happens we take responsibility of the action. The way to have a fulfilling life is when we choose to confront all our self-deceptive tendencies and become honest to ourselves..

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Hahaha, lovely post. love the humour. Resteemed & Followed.

resteemit.com/art/@jameszenartist/when-there-s-so-much-painting-to-be-done-sleep-can-wait-until-i-m-dead

Well, I paint every day of my life, but now I do it in a relaxed fashion. When I'm too tired, I can't paint well and make mistakes. Sleep deprivation doesn't work for me. Are you sure you shouldn't just get some sleep and wade back in once well rested?

Well yes, idealistically. But that's the thing with adversity. We don't get to have the option of not having problems. If everyone had the option of casting aside adversity while still achieving the same results, well then of course everyone would choose that you know?

Hmmm. I notice @leoplaw tends to agree with me. Pressure is good, but you still need proper rest. Guess I sound like mom.

I discovered my productivity is far higher with regular sleep and work patterns. I make time for painting, thus I don't have to go through boom and bust cycles with it. Consistent productive output is what I aim for. I guess it is one of those things you can't convince people of, until they discover it for themselves.

That's the trouble with pressure. You don't get to choose the amount of pressure.

And the problem here is simply that there wasn't a debate in the first place. I actually agree with you and @leoplaw.

The issue I find here is simply a matter of adaptability. Finding work and health habits are very important, and you should practice them as much as possible. The trouble is with that is that life gets in the way and not everyone gets to have that luxury, so logically the next course of action would be to adapt, that is of course your goals are that much worth while to you rather than to throw the baby out with the bath water.

I earned my living as a mural painter for many years, and because of work deadlines actually painted until I couldn't even talk, I was so tired. So I sympathize with your situation, and hope things will develop in such a way that you can have more time to paint with less pressure

I can imagine! I have seen the results of working like that on numerous occasions, even with my teacher as well.

I really appreciate the sentiment, but I can assure you that it is not needed as I promise that I did not want to insinuate or imply in any way an indulgence in victimhood.

My goal was merely to express that the possibility of success can remain when one is continually receptive in changing their mode of problem solving. And while it is vital to approach obstacles with a predetermined set of tools, the danger still lies in holding onto them too tightly in that they can easily turn into a sort of ideology, which in turn of course causes blinding effects.