Time Restriction

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People have asked me how long it usually takes me to complete a painting. My usual answer is, "it depends," but I'm not too sure what it depends on, aside from how I am feeling. Truthfully, this feels like a loaded question, one that is impossible to answer because I've never considered the role of time in my creative process.  Things just kind of pour out at their own pace. Minutes turn into hours without me being cognitively aware. It’s like magic. Why tamper that by framing it with time?

How long does it take you to do what you love? Do you care? Does it matter?
 
Time as it stands is indefinite. Once applied to our lives, it suddenly feels calculated and restrictive. It is somehow manipulated into this all-consuming, life controlling dictator. To me, time spent painting is immeasurable and I want to keep that pure, limitless feeling alive, no ticks or tocks guiding my brush. 
 
If only the ebbs of time receded with less haste in all aspects of our daily lives. If only the minutes flowed smoothly into each hour without eagerly anticipating the set stroke of freedom or the dreaded morning alarm. If only the clocks had less power. If only…
 
I’m grateful that there is not time restriction when it comes to artistic expression. Whether it’s immediate or a bit more languid, I know that I aim to please no one. My sole intention is to explore this compulsive need to express emotions and I don't need a stopwatch keeping track of my hours committed to the canvas. 

Who cares, right? 

It’s never a question of "how long will it take me to get this idea down?" or “when will I find time to paint?” but more of a “when will the moment strike and how will I seize it?”
 
Your time is valuable. Don’t waste another second watching the minutes drift into oblivion. 

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Struck by an urge to create. Who knows when or what will come of it.