It does seem very odd to be saying so, but it is quite a nice change to take a break from art. The reason, as people who are not artists will probably find surprising, is that art is actually quite hard work. I might have said this before but it is worth repeating. I am fed up with people saying to me, when they hear that I’m an artist, “Oh! How nice and relaxing that must be!” It is only when a day like today comes along that you realise just how misconceived that idea is.
I’ve been pretty well hard at it for some time now, and today has been the first day in about two weeks when I have not been painting. The major task of the day was to cut back the growth of ivy originating in our garden but growing up the side of our neighbour’s house. It has to be done every year otherwise his house would disappear completely under vegetation in about three years. The job is physically hard, involving several hours spent up a ladder, which has to be moved several times, but it is completely absorbing and is a wonderful way of clearing the head.
Another activity that has placed a cordon sanitaire around painting has been an interesting correspondence I’ve been having on email with a family member. This has involved a discussion of the statistical errors and faulty reasoning which have underlaid government policy in relation to the pandemic. She tends to a conspiracy theory (at least, I think that is what is implied in calling them “liars”.) I favour downright incompetence and an inability in particular to understand basic statistical concepts. It has been interesting making the point that you do need to check claims that people make as factual.
I wonder how long I can sustain this holiday before I have to get back to the hard work of art again.