Sleightholm Folk Art

   My apologies that this “Tasha Tuesday” is a day late! I was unexpectedly sick on Tuesday, but am feeling much better now! And ready to talk Tasha!~

     As many artsy people will tell you, sometimes its hard to not want to do all the things. This is something I often find myself dealing with, and judging from Tasha Tudor’s vast array of hobbies, I’d say she was in a similar situation!
   When that spark of interest and inspiration hits, look out! An artist will drop what they’re doing and want to go all-in. It is a blessing….but sometimes something of a curse too!
  
    Especially for those of us running a business with our passion. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned, many times ‘the hard way’, its to not lose focus on that core thing that you are passionate about. That core element that is your passion or, in my case, your paycheck!

   I’ll be honest, this is a lesson I’ve just recently learned and one I’m still trying to learn. But on my better days I remember: you don’t have to do everything. And some things can be enjoyed, just for the sake of enjoying them. There doesnt have to be a reason. And more often than not, this down time and ‘creative time’ can inspire you when its really time to get to work.

   This may seem like a strange lesson to have learned from a women like Tasha Tudor who did so much (and without running water! Or central heat and air! All with four kids!) but hear me out. Many of the things Tasha did, she did just for the pure enjoyment of it. That was her only motive.

   I think in our modern times its easy to get caught up in the ‘reason’ behind everything we do. We don’t consider the benefit of just doing something because it makes your heart sing or your soul feel rested. No, there has to be a lesson or money or something gained at the end of it. But that’s the funny thing— there is something to be gained at the end of times to just play or relax or enjoy. It’s peace and contentment. And there’s way to put a price tag on that! It’s priceless.

    And so that’s what I’ve gleaned from looking at Tasha’s life. She knew when to paint as a businesswoman. But she also knew when to have fun just for the sake of having fun. And a bonus to all that fun and imaginative time she had on her own or with her children? It circled around and fed her art!

   Many of the hobbies she indulged can be seen in her own art— all the animals, the flowers, the beautiful fabrics and quilts, the old dresses. All of these things that she loved just for the sake of loving them were a constant source of inspiration. 

   Realizing this has made me see hat everything is connected in some way, no matter if we consider it serious or frivolous. Our brain need time to focus and work, but it is alsomust have it’s time to roam free and be indulged. And so, truly, no moment in life is wasted, if it is spent in a way that brings you joy.

   Because, you know, Tasha always said….
“Take Joy!~”

Wishing you a wonderful Tasha Tuesday…..On this Wednesday Morning!~
H