"Summer Read," Watercolor Sketch
Why is it so hard to get restarted? I know from experience that my creativity ebbs and flows and I’ve learned not to fight the times when I retreat from the art to some other activity or commitment. It’s SOP (standard operating procedure) now to just wait for the well of motivation to fill up and when the well is full I know it’s time to play again.
The thing is . . . knowledge of this cycle does not make the returning any easier at times. What inevitably happens is my fears and insecurities begin to surface with a vengeance as soon as I have brush or pencil in hand.
“You can’t paint!” . . . “Artist . . ha!” . . . “Pretending you’re an artist again hey?!”
My insecurities have a loud voice and are quite insistent at times. They wield a lot of power if allowed to go unchecked. This noise that comes from my fear can drown out the creative urge. As my wastebasket fills with half-starts and failed work, the negative self-talk can intensify and shut down the whole process.
So over the past couple of days I’ve turned the volume way down on the voice of fear and insecurity while remembering that this creative process is supposed to be fun, a time to practice, learn and connect with God. I find that even when my drawing or painting isn’t my best effort the peace and enjoyment I reap is still beyond measure. My positive self-talk is what keeps the whole process fun whether I end with a success or failure it’s that CAN DO attitude that will bring the best results in the end.
I read once that every failure is necessary in order to produce that one masterwork. I take comfort in the fact that I’m one painting closer to my masterwork with the added bonus of having had fun the process.
The truth is I’ll continue to paint even if every piece comes out like crap because you never know that next one could be IT and I’m never happier than when I’m being creative in some way.
Keep painting! I sometimes have to redesign someones new site design proof 4 times!! I usually can knock it out in one try, but not always! Here is how I attacked a new website design….I have a 60 min phish song that I listen to EACH time I start a project. If I am not feeling the flow within that hour, I move on to another project and start the same song over. I can usually get a good design going within the time of that song….if it’s really working for me, I will just replay the same song over and over while working on the same design….
“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
-Vince Lombardi
“Keep on trucking.”
-Grateful Dead
Inspirational…..I know?!
Rainey,
I can totally relate. You have just written the story of my carving/painting career. Be careful though, my ebb once lasted almost 20 years. So you are correct to fight through it and never, never doubt your talent. You have IT.
How cool! I never knew what your process of creativity involved. It obviously works because you are one of the most prolific artists I know and working under deadline pressure doesn’t hinder your creativity. I love your new site (www.jegdesign.com), color scheme, layout, watermark designs. It rocks! Thanks also for some hints about developing a creative routine. I may find some inspirational song that works for me. Let me think who that might be. . . . ? Toby Keith, Etta James…?
Very Inspirational! It’s good to have those bits of wisdom to recite from time-to-time when I get into a funk!
Milt, I too have taken long breaks - not 20 years - but long blocks of time have gone by in the past without my being creative. I know that I feel more balanced and happy even if what I produce is “less than.” You too are talented and are meant to use that talent even if it becomes for your personal pleasure only. Sometimes outside demands can put undue pressure on our creative process. Remember though that all these things happen with our permission.