We’re in Idaho. It’s the place we came to serendipitously last year and stayed a couple of days before moving on (to Wyoming). This time the place is Swan Valley, Idaho is the destination and we’ll be here ten days. And we’re working, just what we love to do.*
The trip here was its own odyssey, taking the long way, with various stops in California and then Portland, making it all one big triangle.
Among the various stops we met a new friend, Bill Lee, owner of a lovely inn in Los Osos (after other occupations). Happily he purchased a couple of paintings for his new restaurant and in the end we exchanged books we’d written. Later, reading just one page of his was enough to change my life.
It’s a concept of “strategic thought” that, once he adopted it, changed his life.
Basically it’s organized thinking. Here’s a paragraph from Bill’s book:
“ . . . I was fascinated by the idea of strategic thought. Organization is a concept that never came easily to me because I stopped at just naming the topics to be organized as opposed to creating the action steps necessary to organize each topic. As someone with ADD, I have a lot of ideas flowing through my mind at any given moment. I’m constantly on the receiving end of getting different tangents of thought, by by 5 o-clock, many of the ideas are gone and are not recoverable. For the better part of my life, the ideas were there; the follow-through wasn’t.”**
Here’s the plan, divided into sections for early morning meditations, then periods of writing (three projects) and painting (many projects), drawing, reading, and watching (occasional evening movies). Anne, by the way, is just as happily productive, though without such a list.
There’s more, much more, but the concept fascinates. So I immediately began applying at least the first steps. While Anne was attending a printmaking workshop in Portland I had a free day on my hands. Rather than just hanging around I divided even that day into quarters, with a different focus for each, and had myself a most productive—and enjoyable—day.
In fact, the first hour was to plan the ten days in Idaho with a focus for each part of each day.
You’ll role your eyes. Is this any way of spending a vacation? Maybe not, but who said this was a vacation?
I remember one of the art-making trips we took a couple of years ago in Baja California. It was another wonderful place and a wonderful week. But, as I went with no particular plan, the first half of it was spent in growing frustration. I finally manufactured one and got happier; but the outcome was never as productive as I’d hoped.
So, this time I’ve got a plan. I confess it can seem a little harried at times, meeting goals that no one cares about but me. And I can always flake. But it’s not my way.
I’m happy to say, at this point I’m on schedule. Of course in the end all that really matters isn’t volume, but quality. I remind myself of that. But I also remind that good art comes from doing lots of art. So I do lots.
Meantime, the setting is more than wonderful. Being fairly remote, there’s nothing to distract. Even our walks are just down a dirt road, or a path to the river. In the “studio,” the quiet is only broken by our own conversation, our music, the occasional rain, the refrigerator, or our own breathing.
Breathing, by the way, is not on the schedule. Some things just happen by themselves.
Just because you’ll be curious, I’ll supply a couple of photos.
_________
*All this is by the generosity of friends Jeff and Michelle Aleixo.
**Chasing Excellence, by Bill Lee and R. Craig Coppola
PS Due to technical difficulties, I’m not confident this is getting to you. If you have a moment, please confirm with a comment. Thanks.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:18 am
Hi… I am the past director of programing at Leisure World, Seal Beach.
I have moved to Idaho now, to be close to my daughter and family.
I love getting your blog, also still enjoying your book. I love Anne’s work also . . . and sharing your adventures.
Have a wonderful, blessed creative time. It is so beautiful.
9:28 am
Soooo beautiful!!!! I want to come! I know you’ll have a productive blast !!
9:32 am
Loved your pictures of Swan Valley! I lived a short-time of my childhood in Idaho Falls, near Swan Valley…
9:35 am
Loud but seeking more detail!
9:40 am
Thanks!!!!
What a setting…..
Sara
9:41 am
Great thoughts, and beautiful pictures. Such a beautiful setting has to get those creative juices flowing.
10:05 am
Wow!
10:33 am
Hello Hyatt and Anne. Looks like a beautiful place to make art.
10:40 am
Great Thoughts Hyatt,
I know where you are coming from. Nothing like the challenge, and the exquisite freedom of designing, painting/sculpting your life. You have earned the ongoing opportunity to not be designed by others, but rather inspired by yourself. You are a master and graceful like the duck on the pond, but like the duck your busy legs are getting it done, endlessly experimenting and learning – and THAT is part of the fun of it. The challenge is of finding that balance between spontaneous living and gentle control (occasionally it needs to be not that gentle). You are blessed, and moreso, to the degree you are able to appreciate and enjoy the whole process.
Thanks for sharing – it helps me work to achieve my balance.
11:46 am
Inspiring as usual Hyatt!
1:31 pm
Great setting!
2:29 pm
What a beautiful place! And….you get to experience the trees changing color. A magical time of year October, especially there to see the fall. I wish you would have shown us the paintings your friend got for his restaurant. Have a wonderful organized and productive trip. Safe travels
3:33 pm
What an enjoyable and peaceful place. Fall is arriving here in Prescott too. Last week we were in the Grand Canyons and the temperature was in the 80th, now it’s in the 50th in Prescott, colder in the Canyons. May God bless you with peace and creativity.
9:37 am
God’s provision of providing beautiful places for you and Anne to create beautiful art is unending. Enjoy!
2:55 pm
Hyatt, what is the name of the gentleman’s book?
6:27 pm
Tim, lt’s noted in my footnote.
9:10 am
Beautiful spot. Lovely home. As God has said, “Enjoy your work.” You do.
Your quartered up, charted plan is most interesting… I can just see you making it! I’ll have to try it some day, but I’m afraid I would need to use a pencil with a big eraser, and learn how to spell spontaneity.
Hilda and I are in Maui. Can’t find a pencil just now. Oh well. Guess I’ll just apply my life long adage, (one I have been unable to live by for many years, hmmmm… schedules, time lines, appointments, due dates, etc.)… “When in doubt, go to the beach.” Hey, it used to work just fine. I’ll keep you posted this time ’round.
2:30 pm
Great spot to make art…
5:35 pm
Always enjoy your updates even though I rarely comment. Love to you both.
5:31 pm
Thanks for sharing. It’s always wonderful to learn how you work and process your surrounding.
7:51 am
Hyatt,
I like your concept of getting away. Hindrances and distractions can be so attractive and may even appear to be necessary. Some definitely are, but most are fillers.
And segmenting the day is good too. I find at 67, though, not only does my mental focus stray, but my body can’t stay in one place as long as it use to.
Blessings on you and Anne.
Vern