It's been a few weeks since I last posted, sorry about that readers. I guess you could say I have been uninspired, at least with my writing. I have been working on some pen and ink and colored pencil drawings, maybe I'll preview some of those in the coming days.
Let's talk about creative inspiration. A common idea in talk of and by artist's, writers, musicians, etc., is that notion that creativity comes in spurts, that you must get on a roll, ride the wave, get in the flow or whatever; you know what I mean. But does that have to be the case? I say no, not at all. Although my lack of writing this month I attribute to being uninspired, maybe I am just being lazy. Aren't successful artists the ones who are at least somewhat regimented with a discipline of creating every single day for at least several hours if not 8-10 hours or more (ideally)?
Warhol is right on with this quote, at least for me, - painting and drawing is not all bliss and vision and inspiration. I do believe that there is a kind of creative cycle or tide that comes in and leaves, absolutely, it's hard to deny that. But what about continuing to create when the inspirational tide goes out to sea again? Sometimes I don't feel like even looking at paper or pencils, paints, computers or anything, but to be successful one must get past this right? We create because we are passionate about the work obviously, and you don't want to force anything, but at the same time I definitely could more disciplined in my creative endeavors.
Maybe the key is changing things up when you feel that block. When I'm not painting I could be photographing, then publishing and writing online, then networking, and when the tide comes back in I'm ready to paint. By focusing on different aspects involved in being an artist maybe it's possible to kind of cycle those processes into working on something every day.
Let's talk about creative inspiration. A common idea in talk of and by artist's, writers, musicians, etc., is that notion that creativity comes in spurts, that you must get on a roll, ride the wave, get in the flow or whatever; you know what I mean. But does that have to be the case? I say no, not at all. Although my lack of writing this month I attribute to being uninspired, maybe I am just being lazy. Aren't successful artists the ones who are at least somewhat regimented with a discipline of creating every single day for at least several hours if not 8-10 hours or more (ideally)?
"Why do people think artists are special? It's just another job."
Andy Warhol (1928-87)
Warhol is right on with this quote, at least for me, - painting and drawing is not all bliss and vision and inspiration. I do believe that there is a kind of creative cycle or tide that comes in and leaves, absolutely, it's hard to deny that. But what about continuing to create when the inspirational tide goes out to sea again? Sometimes I don't feel like even looking at paper or pencils, paints, computers or anything, but to be successful one must get past this right? We create because we are passionate about the work obviously, and you don't want to force anything, but at the same time I definitely could more disciplined in my creative endeavors.
Maybe the key is changing things up when you feel that block. When I'm not painting I could be photographing, then publishing and writing online, then networking, and when the tide comes back in I'm ready to paint. By focusing on different aspects involved in being an artist maybe it's possible to kind of cycle those processes into working on something every day.
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3 comments:
I struggle with this issue all the time. When I am not feeling inspired to make art, what should I be doing? As you say, there are "tangential" activities you could do that complement art making. Sometimes I think it's good to just have some down time - sort of like letting a field lie fallow. Of course, that lack of activity can become a habit if you're not careful!
I think T.S. Eliot said something about the word "poet" not meaning anything--that there are just people who happen to write poems. Unfortunately, we have this Romantic cult of the artist, which means that art and writing programs are filled with people more interested in filling the role of the artist--with all the narcissism, bad manners, and self-destructive habits that go with it--than actually producing anything that says anything more than "I'm an artist."
Very True Bob and Yoga, ... and I think you are both getting at the same thing, that this idea of being an artist can sometimes be an excuse for laziness or bad habits. Very True.
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