Open for Business

As you may recall Handsome Husband and I traveled to Dallas to experience an exhibit of Joaquin Sorolla’s paintings  put together by Meadows Museum. 

I purchased "Sorolla, The Masterworks" as a memento of a terrific weekend with one of the greats. (Well, four of the greats; HH, Sis, Sis’s HH and Sorolla.)

One entry in the book caught my eye, a quote from Sorolla himself:

“In all reality I do not appear to be an artist. I am more adherent to rules than a soldier…”

An artist saying that?  

And this statement by the author (and granddaughter of Joaquin), Blanca Pons-Sorolla: 

“The enormous output of which he was capable can only be explained by the fact that he was a person who…lived an organized life”.

In this age of breaking rules for no other reason than to say we broke a rule, of going with the flow even if it means flowing right down the drain, and doing whatever it is that makes you feel good, these statements stood out like a Rembrandt at MOMA. Rules? Schedules? Organized? 

Joaquin Sorolla created over 4,000 art pieces in his career and in my humble opinion some of the finest artwork ever painted. You don’t do that by “flowing”.  

After the holidays I threw my schedule to the winds for no apparent good reason. While it felt good for a week or two, it didn’t take long for me to see that if I wanted to move forward, I’d have to have a plan. That plan included a calendar and a clock. 

I’m back at it now, showing up for work just like the folks at the local grocery store and lumber yard. I may never have 4,000 paintings and drawings to put my name on but it’s a sure thing I won’t unless I decide it’s important enough to set some rules. 

1. Be in charge of your own schedule.

1. Show up on time. 

2. Paint. 

3. Read about painting when you’re not painting. 

4. Let the phone ring. Email can wait. Allow the dishes to soak another hour or two. Clean laundry

      is for sissies. 

“A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.”

Author Annie Dillard

By the way, a quick perusal of Ms. Dillard's web site offers this nugget:  "I ... can't write by request, and can't answer letters. I've got to read and concentrate..."