Structures & Systems
Systems & Structures
I love the opportunity to build a structure and a system to enhance my every day experience. Building a structure and a system into my day, week, month, year and decade, helps me to imagine the ways I can create habits to come together for the success of the tasks ahead. It’s not that I’m aiming to be the most incredibly efficient creature, but more like I really cherish a system to keep things organized and gently contained. For me, a structure is a map and the system is the route. I know there are many for whom this approach does not feel good, as if the thought of any sort of container becomes constrictive. I can appreciate how that might be uncomfortable for some. And, there are certain things that I have hang ups about creating structures around (don’t get me wrong) but the map and route(s) bring me comfort, because while the structure exists, mine are not brutalist. They’re more like gardens, with lives of their own, but in need of consistent tending.
I see structures and systems as important to my creative process. Especially as I have really clung onto the structure and system that I committed to midway through 2024 that was a very good reminder for me - I aim to prioritize my creative work first and then everything else shall be worked around it. I used to imagine it the other way around, that in the cracks and empty places I’d shove in the art making. But, while the very disciplined person can make that happen, that alas is not the path that works best for me.
This mindset was a need I have had for a long time but I consistently found myself unable to make my desires match my actions. It took the help of a mentor to get me over the hump. (For those wondering, it was the brilliance of the amazing painter Cate White who helped me shift this mindset, and she’s a wonderfully supportive guide for those who paint or make art in any form.) She helped me figure out what were the blocks to implementation and was with me to help me navigate several false starts.
It was through this process that The Pilgrimage emerged. A ritual journey to the studio involving both a physical journey (downstairs to Studio Utopia) and then also a creative journey into the abyss to commune with creativity. At least, to me it feels like an abyss sometimes, an endless well of opportunity on the best days, and a frightening cliff into deep darkness on the scary days. But, I am working and creating my systems as a form of support to allow me to go into the abyss and so, here’s hoping that you too are finding ways of doing, coping, living, or whatever -ing word makes most sense to you in this current moment.
If you’re interested, here’s a brief list of things that are supporting me with my structure and system maps -
My passion planner (love her!) and my weekly/daily use of the tool for tracking my work and personal to-do lists
My iCal system that synchs my computer, phone and gmail calendars into one place
My twice weekly accupuncture and TCM herbal meds
My new (near daily) junk book habit - of making junk books with recycled materials and then embellishing the pages with images, collage, and words
Listening to music and dancing has been helping my nervous system so much
Blocking off time to do tasks I do not want to do on my calendar and pairing it with something I do want to do (listening to my favorite podcast whilst doing it)
Eating delicious food - and creating ways to make sure I am nourishing my body with the love and support of Vaimo
Listening to Chani’s week ahead podcasts and my personal astrology reading
If you’re interested, here’s a brief list of things that I know support me and are routes that I wish to add to my path in 2025 and I am currently stating here for accountability -
morning tea ritual
daily meditation practice
near daily Yoga asana practice in community with others
chronicling my journeys with my diary practice or gratitudes
sticking with the plan of doing the tasks I do not want to do that are blocked on my calendar
In November I had my annual astrological reading with an astrologer I work with and was bemoaning how I just didn’t have it in me to do the things I wanted to do (like put my laundry away), or organize my fabric stash, or make the schedules I need to pump out two bodies of work for two upcoming shows. She assured me that I would know when it’s time, and let me tell you, Capricorn season has shown me that the time for my plans has been the last week or so. I am doing so many things - like organizing and tidying and creating systems and structures for my homework and my artwork. If you need it, may her words of reassurance that you’ll know when the time is right guide you. I’m certainly glad I waited, listened, and am in a place where this work feels good and sustainable for the moment. Of course, all of this could change with the realities we are each individually and collectively facing, and I’m glad to be here, right now, trying, trying, trying, to be the person I want to be in the world, on the ever-present journey of aligning my desires with my actions.
From the Archive:
Five years ago January 15, 2020
Four years ago January 15, 2021
Three years ago January 15, 2022
Two years ago January 15, 2023
One year ago January 15, 2024
Creative Ritual
I purposefully took off from December 20th through January 6th and it was glorious to take a break, and also, I learned, not long enough. I am aiming to take the entirety of December (or as much as I can of it) off in 2025 to see how that feels. I need to fill my cup in order to stare into the creative abyss and I fear I’ve been operating on less than full for quite some time. As I just got back to work last week, the last 10 days or so have been organizing and clearing and preparing for a pilgrimage I will initiate when I return from traveling to purchase my new (used) van. Sometime next week (!) I will pick a pilgrimage span to dive deeply into the work again.
I’m looking forward to the opening of two different shows in Fergus Falls where I have work up - go see these two group shows and spot my work on the gallery walls:
What is Home at the LRAC Gallery Jan 13 - Mar 13 with a fun opening reception with a poet responding to work on Tuesday Jan 21st 5:30-7:00pm.
Whimsy & Wonder at the Kaddatz Galleries Jan 21 - Mar 1 with an opening reception on Thursday January 23rd from 5-7pm.
Questions to ponder
What structures (maps) do you have in your life that are serving you?
What systems (routes) do you have in your life that are serving you?
How might developing a new system/structure be useful for you?
What would it feel like for you to trust you will know when it’s right to plan or begin implementing your plans?
Thanks for journeying with me. I hope, as always, that you take what you need and leave the rest for someone else, or for another time.
-KCF
PS: Have you patronized an artist lately? Join the Art of KCF Ko-fi Cup Fillers community for Art of KCF perks to help support this artistic life venture. For as little as $3 a month you get access to behind the scenes art images and progress on paintings before anyone else! And I am planning on hosting some fun things for my members over there this year so now would definitely be a great time to join us!