Artwork --- yes, it is work

One of my favorite artists, Kathe Kollwitz (1867 - 1945).  Here is one of her lithographs, "Widows and Orphans".  

And, now:

Non-artists think that art just effortlessly flows from your hand, thru the brush, the charcoal, the pencil and onto the canvas, the board, the paper.  They think it must be such a relaxing activity and that you must leave the easel, the drawing board, feeling so calm and renewed.  I do feel that way at the end of a yoga class.  But after a long session of drawing or painting?  My neck hurts, my shoulder hurts, my back hurts. I try to remember to sit up straight, but I get into the "zone" and start slumping.  I try to remember to take stretch breaks.  But I am focusing so intently, I forget.   My pointer finger hurts because I'm so darn aggressive with the charcoal.  In fact, it's been swollen for over a year, and it never gets better because I don't give it a month off, like I should.  After a long session, I look around in a dazed state.  Sometimes I leave feeling totally frustrated, because it just isn't coming together.  Tranquil?  No, sometimes I'm upset and worried.  Will it be done in time for a deadline?  Sometimes, I leave with a feeling of accomplishment.  Maybe it isn't all there yet, but it's coming together.  And, once in a while, I stand back, look at what I did, and I think, "Wow.  That turned out well!"