Guest Post by: Josh Hanagarne "World's Strongest Librarian"

Stress Is A Teacher. The Student Is In Charge

I have seen myself react to stress in two ways:

1. Say “Well, life is stressful” and just let it be
2. Create a solution and move on…until the next stressful situation shows up

The problem with number one is that if you accept stress as the cost of living, you’ll never be able to release the pressure valve. You’ll quit fighting for calm and peace of mind.

One small stress leads to another. As minor agitations go untreated, the cumulative fatigue and frustration build and lead to…who knows what?

A Few Hard Fast Rules

I avoid speaking in absolutes whenever possible, but there are a couple of things that I believe with 100% certainty.

• If you go through life expecting to be lied to, you will attract liars
• If you expect to be stressed out, you will attract more stress
• If you are in a situation you can’t control, you have to introduce something that you can control

The best way I know to introduce control into my life is to create something. Not something good, necessarily. Just something.

Art As Therapy

I always feel clumsy when I discuss art. I’m much better at knowing why I hate something than why I like it. The tools just aren’t in my critical toolbox because I haven’t spent any time cultivating them.

But I know this: creating anything is a response to a lack of something. Any work of art was a way to release something in the brain of the artist—call it stress, if you like.

Agitation, angst, need, want, torment…anything we create is a temporary relief. Whether it’s “good” or “quality” or “total crap” is less important than the fact that it feels good to make things.

When I write an article, I usually write an article that I would like to read. I’ve heard painters say something similar. “The painting I wanted to see and study didn’t exist yet, so I painted it.”

Some people say they dance or sing or write or sculpt because they must.

This notion gets romanticized as “The Tortured Artist.” I don’t necessarily buy that. People don’t die of not dancing or writing or sculpting.

However, I know that when I write, I have less stress. When I have less stress, I am happier.

And I am happier because for the time being, I have taken steps to fill the holes in myself that cause anxiety.

A Better Way

While I believe that occasional stress is a given, there is a better way than just giving in. Each specific stress can be eliminated by creating an antidote.

Then you can move on to the next difficult, exasperating trial.

The key to genuine peace of mind is experiencing exactly as much stress and pain as you have to…but no more. Not a drop.

The tragedy is not that life can be difficult, but that we make it more difficult than it needs to be.

Now go make something. Do it for you.

Josh Hanagarne
Get Stronger, Get Smarter, Live Better…Every Day


About the Author: Josh Hanagarne writes World’s Strongest Librarian, a blog with advice about coping with Tourette’s Syndrome, book recommendations, kettlebells buying pants when you’re 6’8”, old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates http://feeds2.feedburner.com/worldsstrongestlibrarian and Stronger, Smarter, Better Newsletter to stay in touch. http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/newsletter/

Click on the link at the beginning of this blog post to read Josh's latest blogpost.

Stepping up My Game

Before My Time 30x30 mixed media and collage on canvas

I like to do things in my own time frame. Instead of re-evaluating on January 1 like everyone else. I pick a random time ....like now. I'm doing some serious goal setting and planning now, probably because the economy seems to be trying to get back on track and art is once again starting to sell. (It was a long, DRY, summer!) It's rekindled my confidence and made me get excited again. Even, with the lack of sales, I have kept myself on pace with the art making and have built up a decent inventory. But lately I've come to realize, I need to start thinking once again about the business side of things. And while my art making is for me, it also plays a part in getting my kids through college, and paying for the extras - like travel and fun. One day (hopefully sooner rather than later) I can have the art making be my only job....while still keeping the joy in it. So - I'm working in my journal again. I'm making out wish lists - goal lists - the big plan list - the time line list - etc. I'm going to focus a little harder on my blogging and networking. I'm going to get back on track and find some new representation. I'm going to get off my butt and work it just a little harder. After all: In order to live your dreams - you have to wake them up!!!

Click HERE to Find This Book on Amazon

Live & Learn: Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the Artist Within By: Steven Aimone

Available Sept 1st from Amazon.com

I couldn't put an image of this wonderful new book online because of copy write issues. Let's just say, you'll have to take my word for it: This is a beautiful book! Full disclosure: I was privileged enough to be a contributor to the book and am thrilled to have been a part of it. I do not, however, make a penny from sales of this book. So now that we have that out of the way, I'll tell you more about it.

From the back cover:

"Draw out your inner artist! This first book in the Live & Learn series from AARP gives you the inspiration, art theory, and hands-on experience that can make drawing an enriching part of your life. Unlike representational drawing, which aims to create a realistic likeness of the world, expressive drawing invites you to combine basic elements such as line and shape to create artwork that communicates internal states liked to your memories, ideas or emotions. Skill-building exercises and the author's lively descriptions of works by well known artists - from Henri Matisse to David Hockney-guide you on this exciting and rewarding approach to creative expression."

Steve Aimone has been my mentor and art coach since 2002. I have learned so much from his teaching style and this book is very much his "voice". This is an easily accessible book for anyone of any age (despite it's endorsement by AARP). He discusses the basics of art elements in a fashion that doesn't get overly technical, instead it is concise and easily translated for even someone who thinks he/she can't draw. Renew your creative spirit today and pick up a copy!

Can you see the angst? Nope...didn't think so!

Continuum 36x36 2008

My art mentor/coach always teases that even my "angry" or "angst filled" paintings end up looking "lovely". I am always drawn to the abstract expressionists that fill their work with lots of tension and emotion....but for me -( and I guess I do this in real life )- I feel the need to edit it out and "make-nice". My coach and I have had many lengthy discussions about this tendency with my work. Discussing this with him is much more fun (and way cheaper) than therapy- but it disturbs me. And the truth of the matter is that I have in fact worked through some serious emotions with my painting in the last several years.

So ...present day: I have had a really anxiety filled summer -but I've also been painting and painting and painting - I have done a lot of work! And yet what I see when I look at all of this new work is the same thing I always see. Everything is soft, subtle, not at all angry looking or angst riddled. No...they are peaceful, non-tension filled lovely little paintings. Even though I really, truly use painting as my therapy. Trust me, the anxiety is IN THERE. I guess no one can see it but me.... and if they really looked "pissed-off" or "tragic" or "angst-filled" would I even like them? So I often wonder ...How authentic is this work? Deep...right?

(Can't you see it? LOL )

Escaping the Time Suck

Bridge to Nowhere - 16x16 mixed media on board - 2008

After a much needed (yet involuntary) break from the Internet, I'm back. Well sort of. Other than a little Tweeting, a few Facebook updates and checking email from my Blackberry...I have been mostly cut off from the Internet -AKA: Big Huge Time Suck. I have had a summer full of technical problems: the laptop is on a respirator-I don't think she'll make it. My Internet connection is hit or miss with no explanation. My router takes mini vacations without even letting me know....essentially I am in techno-hell. I am actually blogging right now on a borrowed computer and posting an old image from a Facebook album. It's the first time I've blogged in a long while...the first time I've seen a full version page of Facebook...the first time I've looked at a YouTube in a long, long time.

The amazingly good thing that has come from this is that I have been painting A LOT! I have churned out some good work - focused work. I have rearranged my studio to give me some great new workspace. I have (sort of ) organized my supplies. I have been a full time artist! It has been wonderful. I'm thinking that in the future, I should schedule a few breaks here and there to really focus on my art. After all - It's why I'm on the web in the first place. Don't get me wrong...I can't wait to purchase my new laptop and get my website updated, get back to blogging on a regular basis and do all the other things I love to do online. But for now....I'm headed to the studio!

My Mad Frustration

I feel like I have had my right arm removed. For weeks now I have been trying to attach images to emails, add images to my blog, update my website....etc. I have been unsuccessful in every task. I have tried everything I know to try...but to no avail. It's like my photos just can't be uploaded in any capacity. HELP? Does anyone out there know what the problem could be? I am loosing it!

Tiny Gems

a bit of luck 9x12 mixed media collage 2009

I spend a good bit of time experimenting on small pieces. I often keep them, or give them as gifts. This particular painting was made with the idea of giving it as a graduation gift. (The young man asked for a painting - I know - an unusual request.) I didn't spend much time on it, it just came together very quickly. Most of the time the best work I do is very spontaneous - with no high expectations. The problem is, when I then try to use these little gems as studies for larger paintings-the spontaneity gets completely lost in translation. I end up "dinking" it to death, trying to get at the same freshness that I achieved on the small piece. This is a constant, CONSTANT, struggle for me. In trying to get back to a wonderfully messy, impulsive, and lively composition...I just end up with a mess. I guess if it was always this easy - painting wouldn't be so rewarding. Back to the drawing board.