Starting and Finishing

Blog #282 of 330

January 23rd, 2010 - 07:45 PM

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It's easy to start something new; a relationship, a romance, a life, a story, a painting. It's not so easy to finish. My computer is filled with half finished stories. My closet shelves are overflowing with supplies and half finished projects that died from lack of desire or the will to complete them.

Trying to succeed in the middle of real life living is not easy. The hard work of doing -- of sticking with something to the bitter end is difficult when the motivation and passion get sucked right out of you by stress or lack of money. Beginning is always easy. Starting over is hard. Finishing is even harder, but there's nothing like it.

Finishing a project, a painting or a story brings with it a great sense of accomplilshment, pride and satisfaction. sort of like the delicious feeling of finishing a dream in the quiet realm of half sleep before waking up, when the power to change the ending is still in your hands.

Please view my "finished" book at www.blurb.com%252Fbookstore
or my e-book at http://smashwords.com/b/8340

Comments

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Cliff Hawley

14 Years Ago

San Antonio, TX

Go to http://www.chawley.com/inspire/Collateral/rulerpainting.jpg and there you will see my sketch of what I'm talking about. You hold the ruler upright with one hand and paint with the other.

Diane Daigle

14 Years Ago

Bowmanville, ON

Hi Carol,,, I think he means holding the ruler up in the air and not on the work and placing the top end of the brush against it's side as you paint down below.... 'I think',,,, hope I got it,, I could use the hint too. If I am wrong, please forgive me for 'butting' in... lol.

Carol Allen Anfinsen

14 Years Ago

St. Paul, MN

Thanks Cliff. Does that mean I allow 1/4 inch out so I don't paint my ruler. If this sounds crazy, send me the drawing (ha).

Cliff Hawley

14 Years Ago

San Antonio, TX

Carol. . . I learned a good trick to make straight lines when I was an architectural illustrator. Take a ruler and hold it on its long edge strategically parallel to where you want the straight line. Then run the brush on your canvas or paper where you want the straight line while leaning its handle on the upper edge of the ruler. I hope that's clear. If not, I can email you a drawing of what I mean. And thanks for your comments! . . Cliff

Carol Allen Anfinsen

14 Years Ago

St. Paul, MN

Thank you for your perspective Marsha. I have arthritis in my hands, as long as I keep them moving, they are better than if I sit still and try to nurse the pain. The only problem is I have difficulty painting straight lines in my paintings. I'm trying to paint a barn and a house, and the lines are rarely straight. But oh it feels good to paint something beautiful.

Marsha Heiken

14 Years Ago

Cedar Rapids, Ia

Carol, You hit where it hurts. I am ADD making it hard,but never so hard until i got Fibromyalgia. When I have good times,I want to do something that makes me happy. Therefore piles pile up. I am happy at the end of the day because I don't care Like I use to. I was a perfectionist.A Curse. I am finishing one thing , art. I could die tomorrow,I want to be HAPPY today.The Bible even says that. Let's lighten up and conciously go slower. God Help Us. Marsha