I've been married for 33 years. I tell people I married him for his math skills. In part, this is true.
What is an artist doing marrying an engineer? This could be the absolute best thing ever, or....
An engineer can:
do the math
balance the checkbook,
figure out the configuration or radius or stressload
TELL YOU WHEN YOU'RE NOT DOING THINGS IN A LOGICAL, ORDERLY, LEFT BRAIN APPROCH.
For example, the laundry. Or the dishwasher. Or the grocery shopping.
For a very long time, it really bothered me that my husband re-loads the dishwasher after I've done it. AND,
he re-sorts the laundry. AND, he has taken to doing the grocery shopping...(I spend too much and don't stick to the list).
My friend Jill left me a comment on the last post telling me she thought I was some kind of superwomen. Well, I'm not. I'm just LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY that my husband feels the need to take over so many household chores!!!! Go AL!!!!
My reaction to this is, if this makes him happy, it makes me even happier. I have more time to spend playing with color palettes, experimenting with techniques and just, MAKING ART!!!! hooooooraaaaay! I no longer take it personal. I just smile and say, "I'll be downstairs in my studio if you decide you need some help" and I skip along on my happy trail to the basement where I can spend time feeding my overactive creative spirit.
Once you get past the first 30 years, you just learn to choose your battles.
I hope 2008 brings peace to the world. I hope those of you who are considering finally going after those dreams you've been fostering, go for it. Start anywhere, don't be afraid. My friend Lynne Farris laughs when she tells people that I just called her up one day, (before I knew her) and said that I thought my art belonged in her gallery. And my friend Phyllls remembers my boldness at approaching her about licensing my art for scrapbooking, (we ended up with a TSV on QVC!!!) . My advice is this... (taken from the movie FIELD OF DREAMS)...."build it and they will come". Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. THEN WORK LIKE YOU'VE NEVER WORKED BEFORE. The money will follow.
And if you are honest, forthright, sharing and tolerent, good karma will land you in some very good places.
Happy New Year friends!!!
recommended reading: Winners never cheat
Brenda, It's so true. You've just 'discovered' that you both complement each other and that's your strength as a couple. My other half who happens to be my carer is the gardener and I'm the flower (although I'm the one doing the finance bit, LOL). We both craft though: he's more a scrapbooker and I, a cardmaker. Our talents overlap but we, each, have our own preferences and strength. Happy New Year ! And keep up your fabulous work ! X Fab
Posted by: Fabrizio | January 03, 2008 at 09:33 AM
A wonderful posting Brenda and as you will see I read and absorbed it. A Happy New Year to everyone
Babs x
Posted by: Babs Wallis (Crumbleycat) | January 01, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Wonderful post! I am in the exact position you are in (regarding hubby-left brain/right brain). Hmmm.....maybe I need to rethink my situation.
Posted by: Joy Hall | January 01, 2008 at 09:31 AM