Okay, working as an artist, it is hard to really complain.  Trials…Tribulations…REALLY!  i am lucky to be doing what do.  But as with all things sometimes being creative is very difficult.  The act of creating good thoughtful and technically proficient work is actually a small part of that creativity.  Carving out the time and money to do so is where the ability to be creative comes in handy.  It, however, can leave you somewhat drained and frustrated at times.  i have the added “burden” of being a mature emerging artist.  It is a weird place to sit.  Many of the opportunities aimed at emerging artists are for those below the age of 30 or younger than Beyonce (seriously, some calls for submission have stated this).  Artist residencies require you to leave for weeks or months at a time - which, with a husband and teen still at home, is not practical…at the moment.  It is also weird because i have more in common with my 20 to 30 something emerging counterparts then with the 40 to 50 something mid to late career artists - but in amongst the 20 somethings i can’t help but feel a little like that big bird in the Pixar animated short “For The Birds”.  They too have their trials and tribulations and all artists are balancing creating our work in the spaces that are left.  What DO those spaces actually look like?  Hmmmm…idea for a series of work?