Ways and Means

ways and means pl.n. 1. Methods and resources available to accomplish an end, especially to meet expenses. 2. Methods and means, especially legislation, for raising revenue needed by a government. 3. the methods and resources for accomplishing some purpose

I am going with the # 3 definition here, the ways and means of purpose for this blog. This blog is titled  Skivington So Far with a good reason, and  so far we will ask how is Skivington doing?

I am behind schedule, (a day late and a dollar short) on my New Years resolutions. As a true procrastinator I have avoided getting around to them until there is no longer a New year on the horizon.

On this next-to-last day of January I am thinking about beginning my new year. This is a good time to evaluate my busy circle of life, to step back on a quiet grey day in January, and get some perspective on the constant whirl of activity. 

What about this blog? In the whirling spin of activities, what is important to keep going and what could I drop and hardly miss? I have kept this blog up for four plus years and for what reasons? What was my original purpose and why should I continue?

When I began this blog four years ago I wanted to do two things for myself; make an online journal, and force myself to write my artistic thoughts out. Expressing myself in writing about my artwork has always been a weak point for me. I hoped that posting in a journal would give me a boost and opportunity to grow.

Writing out an artist statement has always seemed to me one of the hardest things an artist has to do. And yet, although we artistic types are often introverts, visual not verbal, we still have to speak up and explain to our audience.

Another desire I had for starting this blog was simply to share with others what I was working on.
Often it happens that I will meet an old acquaintance who will ask, "Soo what are you doing now? Still doing that artsy fartsy stuff?" "Are you still umm...drawing?" "You still doing that...art thing?"
Inquiries meant in a friendly way but disconcerting to answer. I have never learned the art of small talk, and will reply with an earnest description that halts as I see them shift and freeze the smile while the eyes wander away.
Now, the blog is the answer. If they really want to know, to see what I've been up to lately, here is a web address. A journal, a record of activity, and a writing exercise.