Family or Art? Do we really have to choose?

Family or art? Do we actually have to choose?

I’m climbing in the car this morning to head to another show.  It is a new one and while the prospect of a new show used to make me excited, this time my heart wants to stay home.  My grandson is going to enter the world on Saturday, and I won’t be there to greet him.  I’ll meet him Monday when I get home.  It is hard to balance family and work for everyone but many of us come to this so we have more control over what we miss.

There is a wonderful artist that I talk to who only paints a few paintings a year.  I can’t imagine what she could accomplish artistically if she could concentrate on painting all the time.  She has several children and chooses to make them a priority.  She misses a lot of artistic opportunities because of that but they will still come to her.  Just not now.  She is content to wait for her artistic moment and enjoy the time she has with her children now.

What do you choose?  It is up to you.  You need to make those decisions and then own them. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for the choices you make.  They are your choices and you know what you are missing.  Own your career and family and the relationships you have with both.  

Congratulate me, I’m going to be a grandmother.