Light and Air - Acrylic on 8" x 10" canvas, 2010.Well folks, I'm officially out of my rut. It was a short one, but rut-tastic nonetheless. I've got to thank Kendra Zvonik of http://teamzvonik.etsy.com for a two hour long conversation we had not too long ago that blasted me out of a lot of painterly angst and redirected that energy into WORK instead of spinning in my own circles mentally. I have a tendency towards getting a little depressed sometimes which seriously ends up shooting me in the foot. Well, no kidding, depression isn't very helpful, I think we all know that. But it feeds itself with very little effort on my part. For whatever reason, I stop painting, I stop motion, get depressed, feel like I'm losing interest online (which I am - if you don't keep putting yourself out there you will disappear into the huge pool of swirling, creative momentum and fade into online obscurity). That feeds depression and doubt which makes me feel like I CAN'T paint even if I wanted to.
SLAP - I should have a hand mounted on a plaque like those singing fish only if you press a button and stand in front of it, it will slap you across the face and yell "Snap out of it!". Because what I did after I talked to Kendra was couch all of the poor me feelings and focus on the goal like a rhino charging forward. (If you haven't, you've got to read Rhinoceros Success if you need a little boost of forward charging energy - http://www.amazon.com/Rhinoceros-Success-Scott-Alexander/dp/0937382000). Forget hits and tweets and Etsy and blogger and hearts and treasuries and all of the other things that didn't even exist in my world ten years ago and focus on what was always here - ART. So I've been very productive, devoting most of my day to making art and the rest of the time promoting it and already I'm feeling like things are picking up. I'm really excited about my stamps (which has it's own blog now, see sidebar for the link) and I'm talking with a photographer about a collaboration so win win! And painting is fueling me with joy and delight. I learn the same lesson each and every time I have a roadbump. The answer is keep painting. Always. That simple.
Up and up I go. But next time I happen to dip down, I'd really like one of those slap me automatic hand plaques.
10 comments:
Hi Jessica, hope your day is going well. Thanks for writing back and thanks for the comments on my collage work! I may need to do more of that. I am exploring different mediums because I think I am having a reaction to acrylic, Acrylic's my first love, so I'm feeling a little sad about that.
I love your work, and I appreciate how encouraging you always are. Once I'm back to work, I'm going to buy one of your paintings. Do you have your working hanging up in your home? I started working on an online portfolio and still need to get my Etsy shop up, but here's a link if you are interested:
http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?ArtID=52610
P.S. I love your new profile pic! Wonderful treatment
Hi Jessica, the painting is done (I think). I'd love your feedback.
http://creativeinfluences.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-painting.html
this post is really interesting, thanku! it seems so easy to get a little flat when the balance tips towards promoting {and all the work that involves} and away from creating. especially as you say when it's an ongoing battle to not disappear altogether!
it's nice to hear that we struggle together sometimes, even though it's no fun. glad to hear you are on the other side now.
hoping to jump to my desk tomorrow {after the desperately needed haircut} and paint, paint, paint :)
It's always such a blessing to have another artist to talk to when we're going through these times -- because I believe we all do.
I totally think you need to do a prototype and market that hand slap machine! That could make you enough money so that all you'd need to think about is your art!! I love it!
Peggy - love the painting, I've commented on your blog! :)
Belinda yes, exactly! I think when I can manage a little bit of both in the day that's when the promoting isn't so draining. Hope the haircut goes well - I just had one for the first time in oh, maybe a year and a half? haha Oh the things that get put on the back burner when you're painting like a mad woman! Cheers to paint, paint, painting. :)
Martha, now I really wonder if such a thing exists and if it doesn't I should jump on it! haha (off to google auto slapping hand)...
"She generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it)."
Lewis Carroll
This quote seems to fit here. I hope I can get out of my rut someday soon. I am very content to see my energy going to good use through you however. Maybe I just need to watch for awhile? You continue to show me how its done.
Keep painting, Jessica.
Hi love. I know you're swamped with making paper but I keep sending mojo your way to get back to painting. If it's not happening now, it will happen soon because I know you're making time and room for it in your schedule. Thank you for all of your help and dear friendship. I can't wait to see what you'll paint next.... love you, xo
I love the light dreamy qualities of this painting.
Hi Jessica, I just discovered your blog today and wanted to tell you how fresh and strong your work is. Fantastic! Very energetic and altogether lovely.
Really love this painting! It seemed to pop up out of it's own--it's so different than the others on this blog! I posted one of your videos on my blog--to help illustrate how abstract and realist painting can have the same energy. I contrasted your video with the video of Duane Keiser painting Candy Apple! I am a non-producing artist who is trying to get back into it again after raising a family. Love watching "real" artists right now! Thank you for sharing!
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