Pamela Harris

I draw, paint, make things, and write about it, exploring ways to avoid creative blocks. I document my successes and failures so you can try my methods.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

If what Rick Rubin says is true, and achieving freedom is 90% mental and 10% physical, then let's be done weighting ourselves down with useless worry. Emerge into the light and fresh air where we can breathe! (Pay no attention to that fish that is about to get hooked.😳)

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Last April, my daughter and I had tickets to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Due to some minor scheduling glitches we decided to wait till next spring.

I regret that decision.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

This adage is certainly true, but it's easier to acknowledge it after the trial is over. It's hard to see it when in the middle of the fog, but I appreciate the reminder.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

When I am in doubt, I draw, paint, write.

I make something where previously nothing existed.

When doubt passes, I look back and see evidence that I can get through uncomfortable times.

And it's a tangible reminder for the future, when doubt will inevitably come again.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Until Pope Innocent XII in 1700. He grew the last of the papal facial hair. The French started pushing the practice of shaving, and even Popes weren't immune to their influence.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

No Pope has had a beard since 1700.

One of my obsessions is Renaissance art history. Today I learned about Popes and their facial hair.

Despite the fact that Jesus, the disciples, and Peter (the first official Pope) were almost always portrayed with facial hair…👉

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

until Bologna, which had fallen to France in 1510, was restored to papal control.

Then 23 Popes in a row had beards of various lengths and styles. Some were very fancy!…👉

[Tim Denning @Tim_Denning]

To achieve freedom we must be able to write about what we're obsessed with.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

I am Ambitious and I am Lazy.

These personalities wage war against each other. Lazy's version of combat is to plant her a$$ on the couch and refuse to move, no matter what tactics Ambition employs.

After a day of battle, both sides are exhausted.

Can’t we all just get along?

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

I WAS TEMPTED AGAIN!

But my wiser self knows that if I say no, something else will come to fill my mind and days -- maybe something better.

Being clear about what I don’t want is an important part of knowing what I do want.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

A story in three parts:

I just finished a type of project that I swore to myself I would never do again.

But I was seduced by money.

Things started off fine. As the project progressed, I remembered why I had told myself, ‘never again.’

My mind was filled with worry and dread.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

What could I do?

I finished the project and recommitted to my 'swearing off.'

Then the very next day the client offered me a contract for more work on the same project.

Guess what?

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

At the start of the day, I have a quantity of time, energy, and attention.

What's the state of my personal economy: spending, saving, investing?

How am I spending my hours?

If I save a few minutes, where do they go?

Will I invest them in something that pays dividends?

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Wisdom and willingness overtook procrastination and panic.

I started the dreaded design.

At first: overwhelmed and out of order.

Then: the pieces of the problem slowly began to move to their proper places.

Why did I wait so long?

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Yesterday I was reluctant. Today I became willing.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Writer Julia Cameron says when we are not telling the truth, our writing gets 'mushy' -- three adjectives where one would do, a few fluffy sentences where a simple fact could well have sufficed.

The 280 character limit helps me keep that in mind. Less can be more.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Stoic philosopher Heraclitus apparently was not all that happy throughout his life, but he did leave us with some good adages. Here's one:

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

Consistency and change.

Somerset Maugham once said about his writing practice, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp."

The consistent schedule provides the container, into which flows ever-changing inspiration.

[Pamela Harris @phdesign_twit]

When I can't think of anything interesting to make or write about, it's often because I've been stuck inside my own head, rather than going through my day noticing and listening to the interesting things going on around me.