Stressing the Good

I started playing this game with myself a few months ago. Shortly after I started the post-baccalaureate ceramics program at the University of Florida, I found that my stress level was steadily increasing. I had grossly underestimated how much time would be involved in going back to school, and was struggling to maintain my current work load while challenging myself creatively and artistically.

Sick of hearing myself complain about it, I made a conscious effort to remove the word “busy” from my vocabulary.

I’m finding this new game kinda fun. AND it’s actually alleviated a lot of my stress. By not focusing so much on everything I have to do and how little time there is to do it, I’m actually able to get more done and the whole experience is much more enjoyable. I realized that I was expending a lot of energy worrying, when that energy could be put to better use on positive thoughts and actions.

I guess I bring this up now because the holidays are upon us and 2010 is just around the corner. Like many, I do a lot of reflecting this time of year. What changes did I make? What was I able to accomplish? (check out Alyson Stanfield’s Art Biz Blog and Art Marketing Podcast for my favorite end-of-the-year exercise.) What would I like to do differently? How can I re-prioritize my time? How can I live the happiest life possible?

There's a quote posted in my studio that says “She succeeds beautifully by doing nothing more than being the best possible version of herself.” That is what I want; for each of us to be the best possible versions of ourselves.

Thank you for reading and keeping up with me throughout the year. Happy Holidays to you and your families and I will see you in 2010.

Cheers!

Meagan

Newest Work: Botanical Building Blocks, earthenware and fused glass, 22" x 22" x 2", 2009.

Botanical Building Blocks, detail.

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New Work - "Urban Escape"

Wanted to post a few quick picks of some recent work.

Urban Escape, 38" x 38" x 1 1/2", earthenware, glass, steel, fiber

Thanks for checking in on the progress! The ceramics post-baccalaureate program at the University of Florida has been great! Final critiques are this week. I hope to post few words of reflection as well as pics of our final projects by next Friday.

Cheers!
Meagan
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