Artist Block

Patricia Joyce · 05-13-2004, 11:38 AM

Help! Please tell me that at one time or another you have experienced serious "artistic block". And please tell me how you dealt with it. Three weeks ago I had some minor surgery (really not a big deal) which put me out of commission for over two weeks. I was unable to focus on drawing because of the pain level and discomfort and pain meds. Well I am much better and healing very well, except that now . . . .

I CAN'T DRAW WORTH A DARN ! ! ! ! !

I am trying not to panic. My darkest nightmare is that becoming an artist will remain an unrequited dream.

I have been sketching every evening, even though NOTHING is coming from it. It is very painful, as you can imagine, to see the YUCK at the end of the evening. And getting harder to pick up the sketchpad and pencil.

Any suggestions, tips, exercises which have worked for you?

Stuck in this slump

Panicky Patty !

Michele Rushworth · 05-13-2004, 11:52 AM

Quote:

My darkest nightmare is that becoming an artist will remain an unrequited dream.

Well, you already are an artist so scratch that worry off your list.

My only advice is to do whatever it takes to keep drawing. The surest way to fail is to stop.

Steven Sweeney · 05-13-2004, 02:42 PM

When "Nothing" is Happening

This is a transcript of an excerpt from Thomas Moore

Steven Sweeney · 05-13-2004, 02:54 PM

Another practical thing to do while "nothing is happening" is to return to something in which you have demonstrated mastery or at least competence. I don't know what you're trying to draw now that isn't coming along for you, but maybe you're trying to re-join the full marathon without doing some mental sit-ups and stretches.

If you can't draw a 3/4 portrait profile right now, so what? Try a chair or a teapot. If that falls over or leaks, try a side-lit sphere, or try randomly stacking three or four cubes (kids' alphabet blocks) and drawing those. Find that place where you're able to keep pace for a while until you get your wind back, and I think you'll be back on track quickly.

Give yourself a break. Even minor surgery commands the body's entire attention, just as do stress and fatigue and heartache. Let the healing process run its natural course.

Don't take "nothing" literally. Something IS happening.

Patricia Joyce · 05-13-2004, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the vote of confidence Michele and Steven! Your responses are much appreciated. Your validation, Michele was hungrily accepted!!!! Your suggestion, Steven, to go back to drawing what I know I can draw is one I will do. Part of my problem is that I MISS drawing.

Ah, you've quoted one of my favorite lecturers and authors. I have about three or four Thomas Moore lectures on tape and have read his book Care of the Soul. But it has been a few years. Just reading your excerpt pulled so much out of the old cobwebs. I think his greatest lesson is relative to the admonition to "embrace our shadow side", live the process, find the soul in the emptiness. I find great comfort in your excerpt and your own words. I have printed this out to keep and reread when I get home tonight.

I am going on a weekend getaway with my five sisters and this week I was putting pressure on myself to "do something" knowing that I would not be able to work in my studio this the third weekend in a row. So, the pressure is off, I think I'll try to "incorporate this stoppage into my [our] experience and into my [our] life" and relax!

I appreciate the time you took to transcribe so much. It was serendipitous that you would think of Thomas Moore, who has already greatly influenced me . . .

Thank You!

Lynn T. McCallum · 05-13-2004, 11:39 PM

HI Patricia!

The best thing that you can do for yourself is to just start a visual art journal. Just as Steve said, just draw stuff, make it a morning ritual: While drinking your coffee, draw your cup, slippers on your feet or the salt and pepper shaker. I tell all my students no matter what level they may be at to draw in a visual type journal every day. Spend no less than three minutes per item and no more than thirty. Make it like a stretch before you exercise, walk, jog, swim, etcetera. You can just do one a day if that is all you have time for but draw something every day and it doesn't have to be perfect, a doodle is better than nothing. Doodles can lead to bigger things. Just flex that sore art muscle and you'll get back into it. Take it from a gal who has had to go through an art healing process herself.

Just have fun with your art right now and don't worry about it so much. Your art is there, it's just taking a nap! It'll all come rushing back to you soon!

Lynn