Precisely where I’ve been for the last months. I still feel kind of uninterested; I look at my art room and shrug; ideas pass through my mind but I can’t get the energy to find the materials and begin. It is a vast nothing. I’m not panicking though. I’m just waiting. I know I will make things again. I know it will happen.
Yes! I heard that quote many a times growing up! We all need time to recharge and it will come back. For me it's come back as writing instead of art. But my coming back was to my first love- writing - long before I ever dyed a piece of fabric. Love the Betty Boop! Great message!
I agree with MaryAnn. I had a ton of momentum on my Mexican green onyx "spirit animal" and painted on it for days. Then, "the noise" happened. Too much home repair, catching feral cats and kittens, dog sitting for my sister and kids (requires travel) and a host of other things -- a lot of noise. I get little things done (I reimagine a lot) e.g., planter boxes, old pieces of metal, oak logs I find, but those don't require me to sit. I think I have to keep moving. But, I have my giant canvases waiting for me (a tribute to hummingbirds); two logs awaiting my chainsaw carving; my Thomas Dambo backyard troll (need to collect the wood); and a host of other stuff. The most time I spent on art projects was when I was in Chicago (just art, art, and more art -- a student again). Also, when I taught my "Artist Within" summer art classes where the "quiet happened" after the kids left and dusk seemed to creep in as I listened to the music inside my head while I literally danced around the tables painting collage paper to the beat of my own drummer. Very cool. With that said, life seems to absorb that freedom and the feeling of, "I should be doing this instead of 'playing' because I am a responsible adult." Art is loving, forgiving, and patient for when the time comes to sit down and reacquaint ourselves, it will say, "Nice to have you back old friend."
Noise sure does get in the way and interrupt any flow we may get into. Make art one of your shoulds. Most of our shoulds can wait....until that one day when you know handling it will make you feel better. 😉
Such a timely piece of writing Lesley! I have been waiting (after cancer treatments) for the desire to make again ....actually....for any spark of internal creativity or desire to do "something." It's been three months and finally I am feeling creative or if not that entirely, willing to pick up a brush and paint a little watercolor or put together a "yoyo" sample piece for a presentation I'm giving in August. Slowly, ever so slowly, I return! I have to honor this process. I have to honor the need to make small and have completion in one day. I have to honor that, still, I have days the couch and a good book is all the creative I've got. It's ok; I'm still here and my creative self is too!
I tend to believe in Matthew Burrows statement. Nothing was left behind: there is a pause as ideas, images, feeling coagulate together. Sure, many times I want to hurry up the process. But, history has shown me the baby is not ready to hatch.
In those moments I turn to my baking, knitting, sewing or gardening and find that surprisingly they are all connected.
I am still satisfying my desire to create. I am nourishing myself. The glow is still there just not in my art room.🩷
Yes, it's a kind of circling back to the things we choose or need at that point in time. We are lucky to be at the point in our lives where we can choose what and do what we feel like doing.
A delightful and inspiring pep-talk, Lesley! "A creative absence is not necessarily the opposite of creativity. Sometimes it is creativity preparing itself....Be patient. The muse will arrive. Once her spark lands, it doesn’t sit quietly. It activates your dormant creative energy."
It's all so true. I've been there many times. And when you're lost in it, it does feel as if your "get up and go has got up and went." (Check out the song, sung in the 50's by Pete Seeger.. it is hilarious. )
Exactly, thank you, Lesley. A creative friend of mine always referred to the 'incubation period' which I find slightly disturbing but very accurate for these quiet times when nothing appears to be happening on the surface.
This post was exactly what I needed to read today! It was forwarded to a friend who forwarded it to me. I am now a monthly subscriber; I expect I will learn a lot here!
One of the ways I trick myself for this possibility, is to always have the next project decided on after I complete the one I'm currently doing! I also have a notebook with ideas I like.....things I like, sketches I've done. Then I have choices right there, not a big blank.
Occasionally I will switch mediums and work in a different one from my usual. That ignites interest in itself.
And of course, taking a break is ok as well. To allow ourselves that space around us, around our thoughts and so on, can lead to new ideas. And then there is cleaning up the studio, reorganizing things and in handling them, sometimes they start talking to me!!!
Precisely where I’ve been for the last months. I still feel kind of uninterested; I look at my art room and shrug; ideas pass through my mind but I can’t get the energy to find the materials and begin. It is a vast nothing. I’m not panicking though. I’m just waiting. I know I will make things again. I know it will happen.
Thanks for confirming that I’m not alone.
It is good to know you are not alone, and I'm happy to hear you are not worrying. Such is life, right?
Yes! I heard that quote many a times growing up! We all need time to recharge and it will come back. For me it's come back as writing instead of art. But my coming back was to my first love- writing - long before I ever dyed a piece of fabric. Love the Betty Boop! Great message!
Coming back to anything is the point. No rules, assignments or deadlines, just create.
I agree with MaryAnn. I had a ton of momentum on my Mexican green onyx "spirit animal" and painted on it for days. Then, "the noise" happened. Too much home repair, catching feral cats and kittens, dog sitting for my sister and kids (requires travel) and a host of other things -- a lot of noise. I get little things done (I reimagine a lot) e.g., planter boxes, old pieces of metal, oak logs I find, but those don't require me to sit. I think I have to keep moving. But, I have my giant canvases waiting for me (a tribute to hummingbirds); two logs awaiting my chainsaw carving; my Thomas Dambo backyard troll (need to collect the wood); and a host of other stuff. The most time I spent on art projects was when I was in Chicago (just art, art, and more art -- a student again). Also, when I taught my "Artist Within" summer art classes where the "quiet happened" after the kids left and dusk seemed to creep in as I listened to the music inside my head while I literally danced around the tables painting collage paper to the beat of my own drummer. Very cool. With that said, life seems to absorb that freedom and the feeling of, "I should be doing this instead of 'playing' because I am a responsible adult." Art is loving, forgiving, and patient for when the time comes to sit down and reacquaint ourselves, it will say, "Nice to have you back old friend."
Noise sure does get in the way and interrupt any flow we may get into. Make art one of your shoulds. Most of our shoulds can wait....until that one day when you know handling it will make you feel better. 😉
Such a timely piece of writing Lesley! I have been waiting (after cancer treatments) for the desire to make again ....actually....for any spark of internal creativity or desire to do "something." It's been three months and finally I am feeling creative or if not that entirely, willing to pick up a brush and paint a little watercolor or put together a "yoyo" sample piece for a presentation I'm giving in August. Slowly, ever so slowly, I return! I have to honor this process. I have to honor the need to make small and have completion in one day. I have to honor that, still, I have days the couch and a good book is all the creative I've got. It's ok; I'm still here and my creative self is too!
This is wonderful to hear. You're giving yourself air and taking baby steps. All is well.
I tend to believe in Matthew Burrows statement. Nothing was left behind: there is a pause as ideas, images, feeling coagulate together. Sure, many times I want to hurry up the process. But, history has shown me the baby is not ready to hatch.
In those moments I turn to my baking, knitting, sewing or gardening and find that surprisingly they are all connected.
I am still satisfying my desire to create. I am nourishing myself. The glow is still there just not in my art room.🩷
Yes, it's a kind of circling back to the things we choose or need at that point in time. We are lucky to be at the point in our lives where we can choose what and do what we feel like doing.
Excellent timely encouragement. Thank you! Again xo
Thank you, Sue. Glad it hit at the right time.
A delightful and inspiring pep-talk, Lesley! "A creative absence is not necessarily the opposite of creativity. Sometimes it is creativity preparing itself....Be patient. The muse will arrive. Once her spark lands, it doesn’t sit quietly. It activates your dormant creative energy."
It's all so true. I've been there many times. And when you're lost in it, it does feel as if your "get up and go has got up and went." (Check out the song, sung in the 50's by Pete Seeger.. it is hilarious. )
Yes, I did hear his song. It was spot on. Glad you enjoyed my "pep talk."
Exactly, thank you, Lesley. A creative friend of mine always referred to the 'incubation period' which I find slightly disturbing but very accurate for these quiet times when nothing appears to be happening on the surface.
I think the Byrds said it best - 🎶 To everything there is a season...
This post was exactly what I needed to read today! It was forwarded to a friend who forwarded it to me. I am now a monthly subscriber; I expect I will learn a lot here!
Wonderful, Janet. Thank you so much. And thanks for asking to share it with your guild.
Thank you~
You are very welcome. Thanks for reading Further to Fly.
One of the ways I trick myself for this possibility, is to always have the next project decided on after I complete the one I'm currently doing! I also have a notebook with ideas I like.....things I like, sketches I've done. Then I have choices right there, not a big blank.
Occasionally I will switch mediums and work in a different one from my usual. That ignites interest in itself.
And of course, taking a break is ok as well. To allow ourselves that space around us, around our thoughts and so on, can lead to new ideas. And then there is cleaning up the studio, reorganizing things and in handling them, sometimes they start talking to me!!!
All of this sounds great. And a lot like how I operate!