The Everyday Life of a Working Artist

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Just Relax ... - SOLD

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"Just Relax ..."
Oil, 6" x 8" on canvas panel.
$200.00 with display easel.

Just relax ... now that's a new concept. I have decided it is time for a life style change. Yep. I need to relax more. AND SLEEP MORE. I am not kidding.
At some point in my life I decided that "sleep was overrated". If you know me personally, you have heard me quote this a few times. But my oldest son, who took a class at Stanford called "Sleep and Dreams" (I am not kidding ... he really took this class) says it is very dangerous to sleep less than six hours a night. I probably average five. On a good night.
My lack of sleep probably started when I read somewhere that Martha Stewart only gets four hours of sleep a night. Now I do think that her lack of sleep led to some judgement lapses (and four months in jail) but other than that slight problem she is a pretty accomplished woman. Until now I have been able to get a lot accomplished on very little sleep. But I am thinking it is time for a change.
So I am looking for advice on how I should go about getting more sleep. Getting a good night's sleep begins with "going to bed early" ... continues with "actually falling asleep" and ends with "staying asleep once you are asleep". If any of you have any good sleep suggestions then post them here. Please.  And all suggestions that include alcohol will be disregarded. I promise.
In the meantime ... just relax.

16 comments:

Robie Benve said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancy Goldman said...

I love this Leslie. It creates such a great vacation mood. I can see myself relaxing in one of those hammocks with a margarita and a good book.
I hope you can find a way to get more sleep but you have so much energy, I imagine you usually have a zillion things on your mind that are keeping you up.

Lisa F Rogers said...

Leslie - loving your latest paintings. Absolutely beautiful the way you capture the light and shadows and with that knife!
Sleep - oh my. Fairly rigorous exercise helps, but don't do it too close to bedtime; don't eat too late; don't drink caffeine after noon, and alcohol, although it may knock you out in the beginning, really interferes with good sleep. I try to read after I get in the bed which usually puts me to sleep - the staying asleep is a very big problem for me, but my husband snores, my dogs scratch, our rooster crows, and our cats do what they please. These may not be problems for you! Good luck with it.

cissy said...

I Love this painting......and so amazing, because that is how I get to sleep. I make a hot cup of almond milk with Vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon.....close my eyes and imagine I am the porch in a hammock hearing the waves in the distance....bonne nuit, and sweet dreams Leslie. Now I will see your beautiful painting in my mind.

Karen Bruson said...

Hey Leslie,
No wonder you accomplish so much. You may not require as much sleep as others. If you're not tired, I won't condern yourself with getting more sleep.

Jane Hunt said...

This is awesome - I find palm trees difficult to paint, so I'm impressed!
A good book might help....but not too good - you don't want to stay up half the night trying to finish it!
Have you tried melatonin? It's natural and regulates your sleep - works well.

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

I think Leslie I could definitely climb into that hammock and sleep, it's so inviting! But if you do find out how to go to sleep earlier and stay asleep, please pass it on. I do 6 1/2 to 7 but really need 8. Never, ever get it. Always feel like I could nap. :)

SC Shisler: said...

Hey Leslie - beautiful painting work, as always. Amazing dedication to your passion is clearly what is driving you - which is great! I find that every spring I go through a period of lights out at midnight, then lights on at 5:30 - 6 am. It leaves my face feeling like it's been sucked on by a plunger, but I do get a lot done.

My remedy is a nifty little pill called trazadone. Used to be used for depression treatment, but now seems to be more common for help with sleep. It's literally a dream! With half a pill I'm asleep within 10 minutes; sleep all night and every season except spring, I get at least 7 hours : )

Can't wait to listen today! Congrats on your outstanding talents!

Debi Murray said...

I love this painting too - evokes such a serene and peaceful emotion! Regarding sleep - aha, so that's your secret to accomplishing so much :) I agree with Jane on the book - Choose a book that keeps your attention (enough to prevent your mind from going in all those creative, exhilerating directions), but boring enough you can put it down. Staying asleep is a whole other issue ........

Page Pearson Railsback said...

I love all of your work leslie and I also love the sleep advice.I have tried all of the suggestions..women..esp. artists just don't sleep..thats the way it is

CHRIS MURRAY said...

I used to sleep but then I had children. And then I blamed it on hormones. And everyone tells me to not drink coffee but I really love coffee. So I don't sleep. But if you can't sleep, climb in that hammock and meditate for awhile-it's just as good.

Runwithme said...

If you like to read, try "Born to Run." It is good motivation for exercise, particularly running.
This leads to sleeping soundly. Just a suggestion.
I drink a good bit of sweet tea, so I don't think you have to deprive yourself of caffeine entirely. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hey girlfriend....all I can say is ......sleep is essential...get it, find it, and protect it...at all costs. :)

ZÉ ROBERTO said...

Hi Leslie!
I loved their work, are very creative and very original.
Visit my blog.
Greetings from Brazil.
Roberto

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Beautiful painting, makes me long for vacation! Hope you got some well deserved rest over the weekend:)

Anonymous said...

Leslie -
I love this new piece and the prior. You're always an inspiration, even in tough circumstances. Trying to gain the courage to reenter my own studio - it has been a while. Ever coming to New England?

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