How do you pull yourself out of a 2-week (or longer!) slump? That’s what I have been struggling with for a couple of weeks. I didn’t even post last week on my Week 3 of The Joy Diet, the current book we are reading on Jamie Ridler’s The Next Chapter. I don’t know why exactly – I did read the chapter and did the exercises, at least some of the days, if not every day. For some reason I just felt paralyzed and stuck. Neither was I motivated to do any artwork, blogging, or listing in my Artfire site. It was a lethargy that I just could not seem to pull myself out of. I would make all kinds of promises to myself to accomplish things and the end of the day would come and I had done nothing, and felt bad about it.
I felt like I lost my way and was stuck in quicksand. It is a pattern of mine, I realized, and the longer I am stuck, the harder it is to pull myself out of it. My pattern is to rebel and, missing a deadline or not doing something I promised to do, I go into avoidance mode. This then leads to more inertia and sometimes a mild depression.
Just like in quicksand (at least from what I have seen in the movies!), the more I struggle and flail around, the deeper I sink. Yet, if I do nothing, I just keep sinking down slowly into the void – buried so deep, no one will be able to see or hear me again.
How do you get out of quicksand? Well, in the movies it usually takes someone else to throw you a branch or a lifeline that you can hold on to while they slowly and steadily pull you out. So in my artist’s life, perhaps it takes something or someone outside of myself to give me a hand out.
Well, perhaps it is the watercolor class I am taking now, which will give me this assistance. I certainly enjoyed myself last night and felt truly excited about creating for the first time in several weeks! I have a few more details to finish on the painting I started, and then I will share it with you. I think it is having a big impact on my technique and how I approach a watercolor painting.
As for Weeks 3 (Desire) and 4 (Creativity) I learned that I really want an artist’s life. This was not a new revelation, and I have already been working on it. It did confirm that I am on the “right” path for me though. When I actually did the exercises in this week’s Creativity chapter, I easily came up with more than 10 ways to start taking action on my most pressing Desire.
More on what that Desire is in a later posting!
Creatively Yours In Spirit,
Arlene
Posts
9 comments:
I think we all get stuck on that quicksand from time to time. And we get stuck where we don't know which way we want to turn. I've always found that "doing nothing" and being still helps...because sooner or later the next move reveals itself, especially if I don't panic and push myself too soon.
The watercolour painting class you are taking sounds as if it is rejuicing your muse and you are on the track to finding the artist within - so that you can live the artistic life you dream of. Wishing you many happy hours with paint, brushes and your muse!
Love the quicksand approach. The helping hand - in the form of brushes is coming your way. Great post.
thanks for sharing your journey this week. I have been in that quicksand a time or two myself. It sounds like the watercoloring class is sparking your creativity and that is wonderful, have fun.
When I was reading your post, I thought of Harry Potter (books and movies) with the Devil's Snare plant - the more the person struggled, the more tangled. But to relax into it, it would let you go. Maybe "sinking" is really being set free for a moment and then you can figure out what to do.
Thanks for you post. HAve fun with your watercolor class!
Thanks for sharing. I get stuck too. This book offers a lot to swallow.
If we didn't get stuck from time to time, we wouldn't appreciate that glorious feeling of becoming free again. It sounds like you are well on your way to your creative dreams!
sorry to hear about your 'stuckness' but it sounds like your art is leading the way - so happy creating to you!
Thanks also for popping into my "Creativity" post!
Kathy C.
http://SoulReaderBlog.blogspot.com
I've been in that quicksand myself. The good news is - you know you're there. I've been in it up to my eyeballs before I recognized the signs ;)
I agree with Sherry and Jean- it helps to be still. It can be incredibly uncomfortable but it it helps you to figure out how you got there, and what to do next.
I also agree with your observation that sometimes we need someone to throw us a lifeline so we can drag ourselves out. Sounds like a lifepaintbrush has been tossed your way - grab on and start painting!!!
Peace
Hi Arlene,
I love your attack cat in the right column here! He is so cute.
I agree with your friends, stillness is good for you.
Plus, browse through a book about your most favorite medium. You might, by chance, stumble onto an interesting technique that you haven't experimented with, and we wouldn't see you for dust!
Post a Comment