Autumn Sunset, Original Watercolor, Image Size 7.25" x 4.25"

It’s been a busy weekend filled with painting, shopping and and then a poetry reading this afternoon at Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary on Wolf Road in Albany.  My friend, Suzanne’s, poetry group has published collection of poems entitled “Java Wednesdays” including pieces written by each member and this day each poet was reading several of their works.  While I’m not a great poetry reader I adore having poetry read to me.  The work was emotional and each arrangement of words kindled the imagination and then transported the listener.  Suzanne read a poem she tells me was inspired by one of my pencil drawings (“The Conversation“) and goes something like this . . .

turning to look down the road at
the crunch of tires on the dirt track he said
I wonder if we’ll hear from him anytime soon . . .

and it goes on.  Drop me a line if you’re interested in purchasing a copy of their collection and I’ll have Suzanne contact you.  I’m no expert, but it was great.  Not only was it great, but it provided a nice distraction as I was able to forget about jury duty for a few hours.

These things that we do, these gifts from God, be it painting, writing, sewing, composing, singing, gardening . . .  are perfect ways to bring momentary peace.  Sometimes it’s all that can be expected.  Momentary peace.  Until the turmoil passes or some difficult decision is reached.  I remember these days to turn toward my art.  There was a time when I ran from my art in the midst of emotional turmoil.  That approach threw me even more off balance and I’m glad that unhealthy behavior is mostly behind me.

Found Marbles, Watercolor

After a full day of gardening I wasn’t sure if I’d have the energy to paint, but surprisingly once I sat down at my art table the aches and pains of the day disappeared.  I’ve come to realize that being creative is an essential part of who I am.  It’s important for me not to allow too many days to go by without painting or drawing because restarting becomes more difficult.

It seems when my creative momentum is strong I gain confidence and the courage to try new subjects or techniques.  But, let a few days go by without picking up a brush or pencil and fear of failure begins to creep in.

As a way to keep those feelings of insecurity and lack of direction at bay, I like to have several pieces going at once, each in a different stage of completion.  That way there’s more than one “door” back into my creativity.  If I return and find no inspiration in my works-in-progress, I can always jump into one of my celestial paintings.  The freedom of the abstract is a great way to get restarted.

I know there are creative “dry spells” and/or our schedules sometimes become too busy  for the art.   That’s why it’s so important to develop your own techniques for re-entry.  It’s taken me a while to find my motivational strategies and I know they are not fool proof.  So what I have decided is to be forgiving of my half-starts and out-and-out failures.  They happen.  I’m human.

With that personal forgiveness has come permission to persevere and with each climb back into my art room I’m excited about the propsect of what creative thing can happen.