E IS FOR EFFORT

“E” is also for “exhaustion” and “excellence.” Trouble is these words represent feelings that are connect so that means one cannot enjoy (another “E” word!) excellence without expressing (yet another “E” word!!) effort and end (Oh no not another “E”) exhausted.

I know from personal experience that efforts come in all shapes and sizes. I have spent far more effort on things that should be simple for no extra benefit. Other times what appears to be effortless has in hindsight been a struggle.

Most of the time my arty efforts are spent on my glass creations – that’s why my business is called Glass Creations. There are other non-glass activities that require effort since they appear out of my comfort zone. Money related subject matter really does push me and asking for money takes me almost over the edge. I dressed up as an artist once last year. No idea what artists look like, but I pretended. Bit of a Pollock look me thinks. I had to speak for five minutes in aid of the Society of Caithness Artists asking, begging, pleading for £500 to go towards new display equipment for paintings. I failed or should I say other people made their cases for funding better than me. I had no kids with me to use as bribery and enticement to squeeze the ahhhhhhh factor from the audience. I was very uncomfortable, not least because the paint had dried on my boiler suit so hard that I had to walk like I’d wet myself!

Continuing with the art theme then part of my chairman responsibilities is to oversea handing in day for our annual exhibition. Usually pretty straight forward with people bring in paintings ready to hang. One year the Society received a wood sculpture at least five metres high which could only be positioned outside. It took five guys to manoeuvre it in position. It took effort and then more effort and then almost too much effort that we all nearly gave up. We didn’t. Sometimes it’s easier to give in, do nothing and take no effort at all. I don’t do that. Wish I could sometimes but its not in my genes.

Looking back on my glass endeavours over last few years then making body shields and face masks must take a top place in effort filled work. Must be a couple of years ago that I was involved with a photographer who had great ideas that really pushed my boundaries. Again, I could have said no and no made the effort. I didn’t and agreed to make lots of different designs. I learnt a lot, most of which I would never have been possible if I didn’t spend a little effort in the new processes I experienced.

I assisted hanging paintings for an exhibition earlier this year. Again, I spent effort and a lot more effort than I expected. Think this was due to me being allowed to hang other artists work. Such responsibility. It was worth the effort and that is key. There is no such concept as effortless since as human breathing takes effort. OK, OK maybe dead people spend less effort than us being alive, but I like to think that real live creatures might read this.

Thing about effort is that its different for everyone at different stages in one’s life. Plus of course it can’t be measured. I teach glassblowing because its easy. My students take different view!