mornings
Makers of all stripes and disciplines sing the praises of a morning routine. Of working before the world starts waking. The quiet solitude of the predawn hours given to a canvas, to an instrument, to a page. When the mind is fresh, vibrant, and clear.
Well, fuck that, mine isn't. It's barbed and jagged when the alarm rings. I hate just about everything before the sun rises, and I only make peace with the abrasiveness of being alive after I'm a few cups of coffee in.
I don't like working in the mornings, because I don't like mornings. But, I do it every morning without fail.
Love is not the only battlefield, despite what Pat Benatar tells us. There's a daily skirmish surrounding your time, your attention, and your energy. The battle of living, as
would call it, where we are tasked with "trying to do justice to the life [we]’ve been given".
For me, my best chance at victory, my best shot at creative autonomy, the only way I've found to take the hill, plant a flag, and stake a claim, is to get to my workbench early. To start in the morning. To make something before the day has a chance to tell me I can't. Before anyone or anything can take it away.
P.S. ICAD - Day 19 - 22 - all featured collages are available for purchase at my shop here.
You’re a true genius. It’s as if you’re playing music with only a few notes but still create a masterpiece with each song. As always, diggin’ the collages!
The best time for me to work is very late at night or very early in the morning. The liminal times, when the earth is quiet. Inspired by your discipline.
Your work is wonderful. I love your process :)