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"The Artist's Lament" "Hours and hours of work lay behind you. Your weary bones ache and your head does, too. There’s crumpling and cramping in your legs, in your hand. You risk falling over that old canvas stand." Visual: The artist stands near the canvas with scattered paint supplies around. Text: "It’s time to take a step back and look at your jewel. But you gasp out in horror, oh, you’ve been such a fool! The trees look like trolls and the dogs look like sheep. ‘Everything’s come out wrong!’ you slump down and weep." Visual: The artist gazes at their canvas in dismay, head in hand, with discarded art materials on the ground. Text: "Now it’s all over! It’s over, indeed! When they said study law, you should have paid heed. You’ve toiled away, all those years were in vain! You might as well lay down and wait for the train." Visual: The artist stands, defeated, by an easel with an empty canvas, with a paintbrush and palette discarded at their feet. Text: "You schlep yourself to bed, try to think of something nice. But you see that ugly artwork every time you close your eyes. Tomorrow you’ll apply for that data-entry job. Suffering in silence, like all those other sobs." Visual: The artist lies face down in bed, wrapped in a blanket. The room is littered with scattered tools and slippers by the bed. Text: "Sleep won’t find you now, you’re full of self-pity. In vain you try to meditate, read comics, pet your kitty. So you get yourself up and—now you’re feeling brash— Those stupid inks and brushes are going straight into the trash." Visual: The artist walks with their cat, holding a canister in one hand, as they contemplate throwing away their art supplies. Text: "But wait, what’s that there? A mysterious pling. A small silent chirp, a crisp ringing ring. That corner right there, slightly catching my eye doesn’t make me want to douse my whole place in lye." Visual: The artist, now intrigued, stands at their easel holding a watering can, with the canvas in the background.
Text: "That brushstroke up here, that’s quite all right, too. You don’t outright love it, but it’s not a pile of stinking poo. You’re sure you can mend it and make it great art! You feel a fervent warmth warming up your heart." Visual: The artist, encouraged, examines the canvas with a sense of cautious optimism. Text (in a thought bubble): "You’re right back on track, an unstoppable art machine. Everybody will want to meet you— The Pope and The Queen!" Visual: The artist imagines themselves standing victorious on stage, being celebrated by a crowd. Text: "This painting will sell for millions, your parents will be proud. You can already hear the cheering and chanting of the crowd." Visual: The artist imagines their masterpiece being admired and praised by the masses. Text: "Now now there, young master. Don’t get ahead of yourself! You snicker, once again taking your brushes off the shelf. Put your favorite record on, pour the coffee and the paint. Let your thoughts flow with abandon, free of every constraint." Visual: The artist, now motivated, begins working again on the painting with fresh enthusiasm. Text: "This project will take ages and your mind will feel vile. But each grueling second will be worth your while. If art is a scripture and you are its priest, Then ideas are the flour and the grind is its yeast." Visual: The artist, fully absorbed in their work, continues painting with dedication. Text: "One hour later, the sun’s coming out. Your eyes are all crunchy, you’re sure you’ve got gout. Time to inspect your epic brushstroke ballet! You take a look at your canvas and simply think: Meh." Visual: The artist stands in front of the canvas, staring blankly at their work as the cat looks on. Text: "You sink down the wall, time to hoist the white flag. Maybe art is the boxer and you’re the punching bag? Now you’re being dramatic, you must hit the brakes. You’re done for the day and it’s time for pancakes." Visual: The artist, slumped against the wall in exhaustion, finally gives up, lying down in defeat.


Once Upon a Workday

This is one of the stories from our new book “Once Upon a Workday”. It’s available wherever books are sold but you can also get a signed copy from our online shop!

Cover Reveal of "Once Upon a Workday – Encouraging Tales of Resilience"

About the Book

With this book, we have fulfilled a dream of our own, to publish a book that is written entirely in rhyme and deals with one of the most important topics in our society:
The relationship between work and leisure. But it also deals with topics such as creative burnout and insecurities about one’s own abilities.

We had a lot of fun writing and drawing this book and are delighted that so many of you enjoyed reading it and writing us letters with your experiences.

It makes an excellent gift for yourself, but also for a friend who is going through a difficult phase. Thank you for reading.

Get a Signed Copy Here