We’ve been hearing the phrase “time is a commodity” a lot recently. In the past, when we’ve engaged on this subject with others, we’ve all nodded our heads in agreement. This statement made sense to us in theory, but it was only recently that we absorbed the true value of its meaning.
When we were younger, we didn’t give time a second thought. Well, if anything, we were in a hurry for time to pass, as we were eager to move up to the next grade, go to art school, move to a city, and then what?
After college, we had no idea how to become full-time artists. This wasn’t worked into the curriculum of a fine arts degree. We didn’t know any artists who could be role models.
The path to becoming professional artists was unclear, and the bushwhacking was left to us.
We knew enough to decipher whether or not something was a stepping stone or a whim. We spent the first part of our lives trusting that with time, everything would work out. Having trouble affording the rent on our apartments while paying on our student loans, we took jobs that took us further away from our dreams of becoming a painter and a printmaker. We experienced the frustration of having to choose which bills were more urgent, and which would have to wait until the next month. While riding the bus between multiple jobs, we’d pass artists’ studios in the warehouse districts, and promise ourselves one day our creative lives would start too.
Lori & Lisa Lubbesmeyer at their first combined studio in St. Paul, MN, 1997.
Eventually, we became so disheartened by the directions our lives were going, that we recognized we’d have to launch or it would be too late. We visualized our dream scenarios, where Lori had her studio with paint-splattered floors, surrounded by large canvases stacked against the wall. Lisa envisioned a studio with her own printing press, a wall full of carving tools and wood shavings covering the floor.
The distance between where we were and what we wanted felt insurmountable.
Before we knew it, we felt the expansiveness of our twenties disappear. Gradually, we found new jobs in the realm of creativity. After several years – including one spent earning extra money by eating only powdered soy for a year as twin subjects for cancer research – we quit our day jobs. It would be the last time either one of us would receive a regular paycheck.
With several years of methodical decision making, we found ourselves moving in the direction we always dreamed, and no longer uttering words like, “just trust, some day, keep moving” – words that felt empty but consoled us.
It’s been argued the most valuable thing any of us will ever have in the world is time.
It’s been argued the most valuable thing any of us will ever have in the world is time. How it’s spent can be used a million different ways. And then, those of us who are living with a disease or are ill in some way can only hope for time – more of it, or for it to pass quickly. We both have experienced this kind of urgency of time, where we weren’t sure how much we have left, or if we even wanted to have any more time. Thankfully, life continues so we’re not frozen in place – everything changes. As a result, when we find ourselves in a difficult place, time helps us through, whether it’s emotional or physical.
Lori at the easel painting in their current studio in Bend, Oregon.
We mention all of this because a few days ago, Lori was standing at the sink of our studio, washing out the brushes she’d been using to paint that day. It was like muscle memory, as the motion of washing the brushes reminded her of when she was a student, working under the tutelage of her painting professor. She remembered everything about that time – being an insecure art student, falling in love with the smell of paint, and the feeling of working in a studio. When her focus returned to the brushes in her hand, she felt extremely happy with the work she did that day, and said, “I’ve been waiting 20 years for this.”
With that statement, we found ourselves reflecting on the decades of work we put into arriving at this moment. As we looked back, we came to realize we’re finally feeling stable enough to now build on the work of making art, instead of working just to ‘become artists’. We know there will always be great highs of experimentation and opportunity, as well as deep lows of insecurity, fear of not being able to express ourselves, and the constant concern of not making the month’s bills. But at least now, we know we can trust in the change the passing of time brings. We now understand time is something we cannot control. Instead, it’s something for us to be mindful of how it’s spent. To this we say, “it’s about time!”
Water Towers in Blue, 2016, fiber with overstitching, 26 x 26″ framed, click here to see this and other available art
As always, I enjoy news about your continuing journey through life and art. Every time I visit Mary Ratcliffe we come to view your work and admire your gentle natures. Do so wish I lived closer that I could visit more often. Your work is not only amazing but inspiring!
Thank you so much for bringing sunshine into my world.
You’re very welcome Donna. Thank you for taking the time to write us back. It’s always a pleasure visiting with you and Mary, please come the next time you’re in town.
My heart and eyes are brimming reading the story of your shared journey from art students to artists and the challenges you met along the way. Your work fills my soul with the beauty of your observation and expression and the kindness of your beings. You have found we must make a life for ourselves – the one we desire – which takes a certain amount of courage, of faith in oneself (in your cases, twoself!)
I have always valued introspection as a natural part of life, a measuring, a taking stock of who we are and who we want to be. Thank you for sharing your reflections of lives well lived in pursuit of what it is that makes the two of you, dear Lori and Lisa, the special women and artists you are.
What a wonderful and beautifully written note, Jane. Now it is our turn to have our eyes brimming. Isn’t it true we all have our paths to walk? Hopefully, while we’re on them, we can strive to make it beneficial to ourselves and others as well. While we certainly weren’t inclined this way initially (we were mostly afraid of what we assumed would be something scary lurking around the corner), with some practice we learned to look forward to the turns – if there wasn’t a happy surprise, then we knew there’d be something to learn from. We’re delighted when we meet others who share this viewpoint, and you Jane, no doubt are one of those people. We’re glad to learn of your pursuits jane, many of which have been ‘just go for it!’ moments. And we very much appreciate how you carefully carry the world with you while you’re at it.
My sisters, the artist philosophers! I really enjoy the urban themed pieces. I travel to New York next week and will share these images when there. Love you and your work!
Thank you Kathy, our big sister who’s dedicated her life to making the world a more healthy and comfortable place to live. We’re honored our work finds its way into your presentations. Perhaps we’ve achieved some of our successes because of the invitations into your life, always showing and teaching us about the natural world. Thanks for all you do (and have done) Kathy. Our love to you too!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about time, and realize as I get older, time becomes more precious. I am glad that you have reached that pinnacle as artists and were able to share that “ah-ha moment” with each other. I always appreciate your work, am constantly amazed at your abilities and techniques for working together to create your beautiful art. Your work continues to inspire me in my own quilting.
Hi Cris. We are glad you shared with us your view of time becoming more precious. Though the process of aging isn’t the most enjoyable, we do believe there are many advantages, and perhaps, one of the greatest is realizing the preciousness of time.
We also think that spending one’s time creating is one of the most precious uses of time. We think this especially of you, a quilter – we value what you do!
Thank you for taking the time to read our story, Cris. All our best, and happy quilting!
I love reading you as always.
Thanks Lea, that is so sweet of you to say. We’re glad we have our own ways of sharing our lives, as you do too. Thank goodness!
I share Kathy’s love for your new urban-themed work, both in fiber & paint.
Time-related quote I like:
“If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration, but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present.”
L Wittgenstein
Love you both,
John
This is a beautiful quote, John. Thank you, as always, for your thoughtful words. We try to live in the present, which of course can be very elusive. But we are more comfortable with ourselves when we are able to do so.
We are so happy to hear you are enjoying the urban-themed work John. We are very flattered that it speaks to you. You can probably tell we are enjoying the work immensely, as you know us so well. Thank you, and much love to you! L&L
Great read, ladies! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Cari! We can imagine there is some of this that you can relate to. Being creative means being a lifelong creative, and learning how to navigate in this world. You are another example of this! We so appreciate you!
Hi, Lori and Lisa–
I’m the twin from Olympia, WA who has stopped by your studio several times over the years to see your work and visit with you. My twin sister, older sister, friend, and cousin will be in your area the the last week of June, and I wondered if you would be in your studio for a visit. I’d like them to meet you and see your work!
Hi Maitri, we remember you well! It sounds like a wonderful group you get to visit with this summer! Lisa is going to be away from the studio at about the time you’ll be in the area, but I (Lori) will definitely be here and would love to meet everyone! Thanks for sharing all of them with us. I look forward to seeing you again too Maitri!
Beautifully expressed! That was exquisite to read and experience. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sarah. We are always intrigued by people’s stories, and the journey they’re on. It’s a curiosity as to how we all get “here”. Thanks for always being our sounding board! 🙂
You Beautifuls!
The pace of the reflection — spacious, clear, unhurried — is itself a hue in your palette of expression. Thank you!
Just yesterday, talking with a Zen practitioner, I was sharing how intentionally I only work part-time, because I want time to live my life. For some, their work is their life, and to the degree it brings satisfaction, joy, connection, meaning it can be a very good thing. But for me, a slow morning and time to putz in the garden or watch the birds or blow bubbles when I come home are worth the trade-off of less income.
It’s truly thrilling to hear how your “work” brings you joy and Life’s fullness, and how your “works” bring joy and moments of timelessness to others. To that I can attest enthusiastically!
Wow, Chela. What beautiful thoughts you shared with us. Thank you! (And sorry it took so long for us to reply – we lost track of our blog replies for awhile.) We admire your conviction to how you’ve chosen to spend your life. As you noted, we are happy to have this life’s work, but even though we’ve had some practice at it, we sometimes get caught up in the whirl of everything around us. It takes us mentally taking a step back to realize the swirl is nothing more than what our minds (individually or collectively) contrive. We’re pretty sure we weren’t built for having our lives filled with pursuing things and activities every minute of every day. So like you, having those moments to slow down and putz feels like a priority. It means a lot to us that there may be others who feel the timelessness too, and if viewing our art helps with that, then well, perhaps our work here is done. (Smile.)