If you buy into the “Life as a Craft” sentiment - I guess I’m in the Masterwork Phase. Even the name sounds like I should be fabulous. Phases of Life, so to speak. Masterwork is the time for executing your master plan and polishing your life — your “ultimate masterpiece.”

What, you ask, are these “phases” of life?
Phase1: Apprenticeship - Age 12-24 Apprenticeship is the specific period of time during which one learns to comprehend the nature of the raw materials of the craft, and the skillful use of the tools of the craft.
Phase 2: Journeywork - Age 25-45. Journeywork takes strength, endurance, and reliance upon ones Apprenticeship training and growing experience to complete the work.
Phase 3: Masterwork - Age 45-65 This is the time for practicing at a higher level of craftsmanship, creating masterpieces of ‘thought’.
Phase 4 Mentorship - Age 65+ Mentorship is the time when we turn our attention from the constant call of “I” to “Thou”.

So why am I returning to Phase 1? I think I appreciate the journey almost as much as I appreciate the mastering.

In my adolescent years, I was very introverted (more than now) and would like to spend time in my own little world- a lot. I was an only child and solo time was pretty easy to do. I had a few close friends that I would happily play (hang out?) with but really I enjoyed solitude. I pretended to keep up with trends, but I found it kinda exhausting. And any conflict would totaly stress me out. Instead of arguing with others, I usually kept my opinions to myself- unless a real wrong (that's not cool, don't do that, that's not nice) had to be pointed out. It’s fair to say that I was socially awkward (actually, it’s fair to say I still may be), curiously observant (ditto), and even stubborn at times. However, these flaws had another side to them. I have always tiptoed on the fringe, but not really wanting to draw attention to that. Weird.

I have a very good attention span but don’t throw a squirrel in my direction as I will hyper-fixate on that damn squirrel and forget where I was originally. I love small details. My fathers boney and crinkled hands. My oldest sons furrow between his eyes; my youngest sons lush curls. How my high school math teacher would hover over certain individuals and care less about others. I can see through that veil of politeness when individuals hide their true emotions. This doesn’t make me judgmental. I believe it made me more understanding.

I meandered into art randomly. I have always loved art in all dimensions. It lifted my spirit. It filled my cup. But me do art? That was an introverts nightmare. Put yourself out for everyone to judge and compare you to others? No. That was not for me. Ahh, but it kept tapping at my shoulder.

Thoughts spat
On the ground
Tumble off the porch steps
Dust themselves off
Wag
And run away

What eventually built up my confidence to just DO was accepting my quirkiness, (thanks to my love) and use it as a strength. This has really reignited my journey.

I’m not dense. I know good art, mediocre art and apprenticeship art. I also know how art fulfills me each day. Where art will take me, I do not really care. Being in Phase 3 (Masterwork) should be the time I am practicing at a higher level of craftsmanship (of something) but really I am wanting to start over as Apprenticeship AND THIS is exciting. Probably wrong but I’m doing it anyway. I have grown more appreciation for what life can offer. Life has the ability for great joys and deep struggles. I plan on appreciating every step. Creating masterpieces of ‘thought’, perhaps...and apprenticichip level art.

This art journal on ‘Face 1’ is my apprenticeship into painting faces. I find this face beautiful and fulfilling. I am excited for face 2. No faces were compromised in the production of Face 1. This is an AI generated face and basically, www.thispersondoesnotexist.com. Says it all. While that site really creeps me out it also challenges my “What is real?” perception. (Another quick tangent [or squirrel]- the “theory of everything” - really? If physicists ever did find this "theory of everything" it cannot possibly include defining features of the human condition…life, death, love, fear, justice, beauty…desire. Art can leaps and bounds tell us more about our messy human reality. Sorry physicists out there.)

Lisa’s messy human reality of Face 1.