Life’s rhythm of starts and finishes controls the daily flow of energy and time.  Both aspects are required to progress, and each has obstacles and rules.  The start requires a kind of nesting energy.  I go through and clean and reorganize, gathering materials needed for the new project, or for certain things, I hire someone!  If I resort to hiring I have to get organized and make decisions on the spot, hiring rather brings the beginning to the top of the list.  Sometimes I hire a teacher, most often hiring has to do with physical labor that I no longer enjoy doing.  Studio work generally begins with recovering the studio work surfaces which are cluttered from finishing the last project.  It’s a process that makes room for thoughtful time to review choices and decide the first steps. I worked in clay for 20 years and found the process of kneading clay to be a meditative way to prepare the start.

Declaring the finish has a variety of scenarios which are determined by the detail involved in the project. Paintings can spring to life in a flash with the end suddenly known or take weeks of looking before a clear understanding arrives and declares them complete. Building the garden path may develop in stages, each stage a form of “ finished”. I think my home in general is in an evolving state of finish, as it reflects the ever changing needs and desires of those who live here.  I try only to add things I really enjoy, nevertheless it is in a constant state of becoming, like me it is a work in progress.