Feeling Artistically Stuck



Thankyou so much for your amazing reponse to my last post! It's so lovely to share my passion for colour with others that understand what I'm gushing about!
You'd have thought that after that I'd be all fired up and filled with inspiration, getting my paints out and splashing the colour around but instead of this I've found myself stuck.
Advice from the past tells me to 'fill the well' and 'go on a creative date'. Is this familiar to anyone? Julia Cameron's book The Artists Way is one I've read so many times I think I know it off by heart. I love it and it's filled with advice about staying creative but I did 'fill the well' and it doesn't seem to have worked. I've been out on lots of walks in nature, visited an aMAZing exhibition that I wrote about in my last post but now that I'm back to the usual routine I'm finding that I don't know which way to turn. I've tried to paint but it doesn't come out as I wish it to and lacks that sponteneity I love about painting. What's going on??


I considered giving up painting for a couple of weeks and thought that maybe also a break from social media might help. I look at other people's Facebook pages and blogs and they're filled with activity and achievements that make me feel that I can't do it any more. I don't know what direction to take.

In the past I've seen other artists say similar things to this and I've written 'helpful' comments in reply, suggesting they play and to not worry about the outcome,

so that's just what I did.


 I played with inks in my sketchbook and these words came into my head, so I wrote them down: 'Whispers of the heart' and


'The garden of possibility.'

It's a start but I don't know where this is going and maybe I shouldn't worry about that but to just 'turn up at the page' and to trust the process.
Sorry for this melancholic post. I do like my blog to be a happy place and in a way it has a sort of happy ending doesn't it?
Another thought is that I had might have had inspiration overload and there needs to be more of a balance with the filling of the well and the creative output.

What do you think?
xx



Comments

Micki Wilde said…
Inspiration overload can be just as bad as having no inspirations I think. I had to take time away from social media for a bit to get my brain working after a lull time earlier this year.
I know you will come through it and it will be magical when you do. You are awesome and talented and it always makes me smile when I see your work. x x
Paper rainbow said…
Perhaps as you say Jess it is inspiration overload, but whatever it is I am sure it will pass, time and space to breathe, with no pressure. I hope your garden of possibilities begins to blossom soon. Much love sent your way x
Red Rose Alley said…
Jess,
I read a quote recently and it said something about how artists lose their creativity at times because they were just over thinking and being too hard on themselves, and that all you had to do was just not think too much about it and let the creativity flow. All artists get stuck once in awhile, and so do writers. So, I hope this helps some, and I wouldn't worry too much about it.......your pictures are very special, filled with loveliness, and always make me smile.

love,
~Sheri
Jennifer Hays said…
I'm glad you're not going to stop creating artwork because I really love your art. I understand that this is all part of the creative process, though; I think we all have moments of feeling unaccomplished or stuck for inspiration. I've definitely felt better about certain things since moving back from sites like Facebook. I find much more peace and inspiration in blogging and reading others' blogs.
Els said…
Ohhh Jess, I think you've answered your questions in the last sentence ..... ;-) Sometimes, looking at the explosions of colour of Kaffe Fasset (I have some of his books) makes you just numb, you can't think of doing anything yourself ! (ha, it's simply toooooo much !)

I shouldn't worry too much about your "painter's block" .... just do something else, knit, embroider, cook, walk in your lovely surroundings (is that all bear leek ????) or read a book ....
It WILL come back to you, I'm sure !
Have a good lazy week, Jess !
Tammie Lee said…
hello Jess,

i think most of us have experienced what you are writing about. I remember once when i had a jewelry business, I just could not sit down and make any more one day... i wondered what i would do if i felt that way forever. 5 days later i was looking forward to making jewelry.

perhaps your spirit is guiding you to another experience you will have when you fill your time with what ever inspires you. Not permanently, but maybe one hour or day.

I trust you will be enjoying art any moment or day, it is such a big part of you and i can feel your heart and spirit in the things you create.

lovely to see your photos and art.

xo
martinealison said…
Bonjour chère amie,

La nouvelle saison agit sur notre ressenti et nos émotions qui se sentent troublés... L'agitation retombée semblable à des particules vous verrez que tout va rentrer dans l'ordre et que vos idées vont jaillir. Laissez le temps au temps... Rien n'est négatif.

J'aime beaucoup ce jardin extraordinaire... où tout est possible. De petites graines vont germer, j'en suis certaine.


Gros bisous ❀ ❁ ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎ ❁ ❀
Sounds like we're in the same boat, Jess. I know exactly what you're talking about. Unfortunately, I don't know how to turn the tide, but I hope to find it out soon. I'll tell you then.
CJ said…
I think you're right about social media, it can be a bit overwhelming at times seeing so much productivity everywhere. Although of course most of those producing will have struggled with maintaining creativity at some time or another. I don't have any good tips other than what you're already doing. But I do know that it will pass, so hang on in there! Wishing you energy and inspiration. CJ xx
Gina said…
Go with the flow Jess and the creativity will come when its ready.
I just see overloading with expectations towards yourself. Just do, what makes your heart sing, the rest will follow. Don´t worry dear Jess and forget about painting for a while ;-)
Greetings
(by the way love this first pic!)

Elisabeth
denthe said…
Ha, exactly the situation I'm in at the moment! You're not alone, that's for sure. Lately everything I try turns out blah and I'm getting more frustrated by the day. Might be information overload, might be too much inspiration, I don't know. I only know I have this every now and then and it always passes. But while you're in the middle of it it can be really frustrating. Hang in there!
Jess said…
Thankyou all so much for your really helpful comments. :) I'm spending time with my sketchbook with no expectations and I'm slowly getting back into the groove again! xx
Anonymous said…
Hello, Dear Jess. Thank you for in the past visiting my page. I read your post this morning and was immediately inclined to write. What is your purpose as an artist? And isn't that always evolving? Only you can know. Where is your artwork going, and do you have to have that answer now or later? Many will say trust the process, but it is more... your process is a manifestation of your life and you. It is a messy terrain: happy, glum, confused, successful, strange, elated, all of it. So human. The soil of creativity grows more fertile by experiencing all the in-betweens. It helps develop sensitivity and can lead to break-throughs and more authenticity. It grows artists to struggle and find resolution. Good on you for your candidness. It is your path, and no one else's. That is very precious. I wish you strength and wish you well. <3
Julia said…
Que preciosidad, cuanto colorido .
Me ha encantado visitar tu bloc. Despues de las vacaciones de Semana Santa y la fiesta de Sant Jordi, continuaremos con las limpiezas ecológicas primaverales y esta semana le toca a la cocina espero que os guste y os sea de utilidad y por eso te invito a visitar mi blog. Si te ha gustado espero que si no eres seguidora te hagas ahora.
Elracodeldetall.blogspot.com
Priti Lisa said…
I think Jess, for me, it is hard to see everyone's work...
rather than inspire me.
it makes me nervous...
"why am I the only one who isn't painting???"
you know...
I usually fall into a block
right when I am coasting with possibilities
and everything feels sooo right and so good and it is never-ending and then BOOM
Nothing.
for what seems like forever.
Kinda like a manic
a junkie
isn't it?
I see you are on the upswing again...take care and keep trying.
♥ ♥ ♥
Rosie said…
I think it's something to do with hibernating. I've been in a block since last year and just emerging.
Try writing a ghost story...
Julia said…
Me ha encantado visitar tu bloc. Despues de las vacaciones de Semana Santa y la fiesta de Sant Jordi, continuaremos con las limpiezas ecológicas primaverales y esta semana le toca a la cocina espero que os guste y os sea de utilidad y por eso te invito a visitar mi blog. Si te ha gustado espero que si no eres seguidora te hagas ahora.
Elracodeldetall.blogspot.com
Martina said…
Dear Jess, i so know this fling .... It's hard, but, trust that inspiration DOES come back to you always, as long as you don't stop doing what you do. Your art is till so lovely and the garden of possibilities is open! Have a super week!
Linda said…
I absolutely love these sketches!

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