Creativity v looking after dcs

[Countingthegreyhairs]

At the risk of sounding completely 'up myself' - if you are really creative and crave and need long periods of time to do your 'thing' - whether it's painting, sewing, pottery etc etc - how do you reconcile this with looking after children or is that an impossible dream?

Practical pointers gratefully received.

Same here (again) Jossticks! I'm easily distracted too and it's quite hard to let go of that idyllic image isn't it?

Btw have noticed that quite a few painting holidays now accommodate non-painting partners, so it's my aim to have a week's holiday divided in to me looking after dd in the morning while dh relaxes or does other activity. Me painting in afternoon while dh takes dd. Or vice versa. The Painting Holiday Directory has lots of good listings.

That's really impressive Hurdicare - some really good advice there.

If I do crafts with dd I often can't resist 'controlling the process' and end up finishing the task long after she has lost interest .

Where do I sign?

painting/drawing whilst out together is a really good idea, will do that when DC's are a bit older. DD (4) would be fine now, but DS (21 months) would be running off into the hills without a backward glance if i didn't watch him!

CTGH, i too have loads of 'stuff' lying about unopened eg oil paints, acrylics, etc. I will have a go next week perhaps on my 'day off' but i also have the problem that i haven't actually done ANY drawing/painting for YEARS and have a complete lack of confidence. Am actually too scared to try now for fear of complete and utter failure

Oneplusone, if I got all the wool and craft stuff out that I have not knitted or made up yet I could put it on ebay and pay for a holiday I am sure!
My mum had 4 of us, she was a dressmaking teacher. While we were growing up she had a trunk in her room that was full of really good quality lovely fabrics that she bought but never had the time to make up.
She got round to it after the youngest left home!
Agree with whoever said it that knitting is great when you have kids, you can pick it up or put it down wit no planning or notice and just keep the current project in a little bag - that little fingers can't get in!

Flibbert, glad i'm not the only one! I feel bad to keep buying stuff and not using it but i just don't have time!

One plus one - oh nooooo!!! - please don't be too scared - please! Really! It's too important!!

I really recommend this book "The Fundamentals of Drawing, A Complete Professional Course for Artists" by Barrington Barber. It's under £10.OO (or was when I bought it 2 yrs ago) it's brilliant if you are feeling rusty. Certainly reminded me of all the techniques I was taught ... hem... many ...too many ..... yrs ago ....

I didn't do much for a few years when DCs were small and have found it hard to get back into the swing of things. My advice is to keep at it so you can hit the ground running when they get older - do as i say not what i did .

CTGH - a painting holiday is a really good idea. Hurdicure - can i sign up too? Just noticed you live in Scotland - Mmmmmmmm

dreams of painting on a wild Scottish hillside

with Whiskey

CTGH, thanks for that book recommendation. I will check it out on amazon. I have bought one oil painting book, have flicked through, it all looks scary!

I have also got another book called 'The Artist's Way' which is about 'discovering and recovering your creative self'; I have read a bit and i really like it. Maybe once i've finished the books i will get started on the painting.........

Perhaps we should start a support thread for those who have lost their creative selves ....

... there it goes ... running down the stairs ... straight in to the laundry pile ...

will be checking out yr book recommendation too Oneplusone - thanks

motherhurdicure - just checked out your profile at the mention of a fellow Scot - we called DD1 'gollum' for the first 2 or 3 weeks of her life!

hurdi - maybe because there are fewer big towns in Scotland, I don't know how many Scots there are on MN. I almost organised a meet-up in Edinburgh in the summer but got cold feet and was just too busy when it came to the bit...