The life of this professional artist is a roller coaster ride. I love the high places; the anticipation of reaching the top where I'm busy beyond belief and the cash is flowing. This is where I am right now. I've had a wonderful run of one project after another for about the last two months and it is so validating. Pictured here is the before, during, and after of a project I'm just finishing up.
Now back to the roller coaster metaphor.
I thrill to the high speed plummet too, when I can see another rise ahead, that is. Sometimes, when one thrill ride comes to an end and I don't see another one on the horizon yet, my initial relief from the exhausting pace is followed by fear and uncertainty. Will there be another run of prosperity? Or was this my last big run? It's always my hope that more and more people will discover my work and want what I have to offer. And there's a big temptation to give in to emotional highs and lows and operate accordingly, either by wallowing in self-pity or by relaxing my effort. I've spoken on this recently. It's so important to keep plugging away systematically no matter how one is feeling, even in those stretches when it seems nothing is happening. Those of you who know me personally know what a gargantuan effort it is for me to be systematic about anything. But it does pay off when I give it time and trust that God, who gave me the gift, will help me use it well. Keeping busy preparing for the next run keeps me from wasting time and occupies me so thoroughly that I sometimes welcome a break in the action, even if it means a little less cash flow for a bit. So when this ride ends, I will prepare for the next one by staying busy painting birds, building a following, and doing the myriad mundane tasks that can't be done when I'm on a ladder.
Wait! I just heard my phone ping. Can it be that this ride is not over yet?
