Friday, February 3, 2012

Work Through It

Anyone who has read more than a little of this blog knows one thing about me: I talk about my artistic process and own up to both the good and the bad. To hide one in favor of the other would be disingenuous of me, and if there's one thing I want, it's a career built on being genuine. So I wish I could say that at the moment, creatively, I'm humming merrily along but it would be a lie. Like most of us who make, I occasionally suffer from periods of shockingly little inspiration and motivation.  January has been a doozy.

Last year was turbulent for me- heartbreaking, chaotic and wonderful all at the same time. By the end of the year I really needed a break so I took one, a long one, and my husband with me. It was magnificent and restful and we don't regret a moment of it, but I came into 2012 with very little momentum and I've been struggling to gather some ever since.

This happens now and then, and I refuse to panic about it. Neither am I sitting around moping, either, because the most effective way I've found to push past periods like this is to just keep working.

So while I search for the muse to drag her out of her happy little hidey-hole, I'm trying some pretty crazy things- throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, so to speak. But I'm also using up some of my over-large stashes of painted paper and hand-dyed fabric to create finished art pieces.


It's a contemplative and important activity that gives me a lot of time to ruminate on where I want to go next and how I'd like to get there. It soothes my creatively obsessive soul that wants to push-push-PUSH all the time. And, as an added bonus, I have finished work I can take pride in.

In other news- and I know this will also help me build momentum- I'm about to take an important step towards the promise I made myself last year that I'd improve my photography skills. On Saturday, I'll be attending one of two photography classes in Houston (the second one will be in March.)

So even though great art isn't leaving the studio at the moment, the artist in residence isn't worried.

Create with hope!

11 comments:

MarveLes Art Studios said...

Appreciate reading your insight on 'working through it' thanks!

Kathy said...

Create with hope...perfect!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Please know your journey will widen your lenses...you now see the world in a new appreciation for the present moment. Blessings dear friend. Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Tee said...

We're out here feeling your pain. Thnaks for reminding us that it really IS okay to have the occassional block.

Cate Rose said...

Hang in there, Judi. This, too, shall pass!

Cathy Tomm said...

Know you are not alone. I have had sometimes when I can not create or sew at all. I had a 14 to 18 months with almost no work. I feel I got out of it Jan 2011. I did well in 2011. I now find I am having short term trouble again. This is health related and I hope to get better any week or day, soon. Keep your head up and see if you can work on something you love. Maybe the colour or the type of work.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing. I think we all go through this. Enjoy the photo class.

fancifulelephantemporium said...

Thanks for posting "Work Through It" I am going through the same thing right now - but prefer to think of it as a period of transition. When the muse returns it is usually with new eyes and new vision. You are brave to post your triumphs and tribulations. Have fun in the photography classes.

elle said...

Sometimes we have works in progress and sometimes we are the works in progress. Keep on 'keeping on', Judi

Terry Jarrard-Dimond said...

That is the "secret"....just keep working. This along with ....spend time looking at what you've done and one day you will discovery that you are humming along again. Love "being there" in the studio with you.

sweetypie said...

going through something similar at the moment, blaming it on lack of sunshine, lost my mojo...