Sometimes, the hardest thing is simply beginning.
And once I begin, it is rare that I want to stop. As I approach a painting session, or a block of time in my studio, or begin a new painting or body of work, my doubts and insecurities often crowd me, beckoning me toward some other soothing activity like working in the garden or reading a book. Baking cookies. Catching up on email. Cleaning the toilet.
No, really, it is fascinating to me that after 20-something years of painting, that I can still have these feelings. It’s like that squirmy, resistant feeling you get right before jumping into a cold lake or swimming pool. After jumping, I always get a little rush of adrenaline, and then have the thought that it’s really quite nice. Wonderful, even.
How do I get to the other side of those feelings with my artwork? I remind myself to just begin. Then I give myself permission to do something other than painting in my studio if I just do not feel the flow after a little while. I could tidy my studio, or do some preliminary drawings, I could go outside and photograph, make some color charts, write in my art journal. Whatever. But almost always, I find myself caught up in the riptide of creative momentum, and I paint.
“Leap, and the net will appear”
-Unknown
3 responses so far ↓
amyf // July 1, 2009 at 11:18 am |
Thank you for the inspiration.
boychick1 // July 2, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
lovely.
Lee Shiney // July 2, 2009 at 5:53 pm |
Amen. This is why I take on the group shows and occasional solo shows – the deadline makes me work, and once I get past that inertia of getting started, things begin to happen. We have an obligation to create. If there’s something that can be perceived as a gift, it needs to be shared.