"All too often we apply a model of relentless industry to artmaking." Right?!? When I was active on Instagram, I always felt I wasn't doing enough, and what I was producing wasn't good enough compared to other artists' posts. When I walked away from IG a few months ago, the joy finally returned to making art! It was such a relief. And I am guilty of literally adding "art" to my to-do list ALL THE TIME! And does it every get accomplished? Nope. It falls to the bottom of the list, and at that point I'm too tired to bother.
Another writer just wrote about The Artist's Way and how going through it a second time (and actually doing the exercises in the book) truly helped her, I decided I'm going to do this as well. I read the book years ago (without doing the exercises), but the journal writing seemed to get stale and I never went on artist's dates. I vowed I'm giving it my full attention this time to see what it unlocks within me. I'm actually excited about it! :-)
The Artist's Way book is great, I worked through all the chapters and exercises with a class in my early 30's and it's what helped release me from artist's block.
Oh how your words soothe me. Thank you. I remember only painting two paintings as a child, no drawing using house paint on Masonite at age 7 and 12 years. As a late creative bloomer at 28, I started art with a local private teacher when my son was born for a hobby. After my divorce I have suffered with chronic ill health while raising my son on my own. Now at 62 I have had more creative fallow years with the longest for 8 years. I lack creative confidence and experience, have ADHD and permanent PTSD. I have bought over 50 lessons from many artists/academies and never finished them including yours sadly Sadie. I have promised myself to finish them one by one. I am relocating with my new hubby to a quiet regional town where I will have a permanent studio space overlooking a beautiful vista. I have started a daily (mostly) creative practice to do colour charts so I can learn what paints that I have can be blended with another to compensate for sweat experience on the canvas. I look forward to your other articles.
I think it's a great idea to start with color charts! Exercises and small studies focused on one challenge at a time is the way I ease back into studio practice. Anything to keep the pressure low and enjoyment high. With ADHD we are motivated by dopamine reward, not after we have finished, but WHILE we are doing the thing. So keep it enjoyable so you look forward to it!
Regret is a way of punishing our past self, which makes us fear the judgment of our future self. Regard your younger self with compassion, and imagine your older self regarding you with compassion. Another way to ease the pressure.
What a lovely reply, thank you. I agree. I am still learning to be positive with all pain and being compassionate now to myself and to my younger self and yes I would expect my older self to be this way too. I do have to be quicker catching myself out when I start punishing myself for suffering for so long needlessly, it seems. All will be revealed in good timing. Maybe the benefits of having little to no support in my adulthood has strengthened my son with my grit that he exhibits now. Maybe too I have great ideas for paintings. Many blessings to you Sadie 🙏
This is such a beautiful description of how to move out of a battle against your own life. In art, in anything. Thank you, Sadie.
Thank you, Angela! The "battle against your own life" is a great way to put it, and yes, it applies to anything!
"All too often we apply a model of relentless industry to artmaking." Right?!? When I was active on Instagram, I always felt I wasn't doing enough, and what I was producing wasn't good enough compared to other artists' posts. When I walked away from IG a few months ago, the joy finally returned to making art! It was such a relief. And I am guilty of literally adding "art" to my to-do list ALL THE TIME! And does it every get accomplished? Nope. It falls to the bottom of the list, and at that point I'm too tired to bother.
Another writer just wrote about The Artist's Way and how going through it a second time (and actually doing the exercises in the book) truly helped her, I decided I'm going to do this as well. I read the book years ago (without doing the exercises), but the journal writing seemed to get stale and I never went on artist's dates. I vowed I'm giving it my full attention this time to see what it unlocks within me. I'm actually excited about it! :-)
Thank you for sharing your experiences Sadie!
The Artist's Way book is great, I worked through all the chapters and exercises with a class in my early 30's and it's what helped release me from artist's block.
Oh how your words soothe me. Thank you. I remember only painting two paintings as a child, no drawing using house paint on Masonite at age 7 and 12 years. As a late creative bloomer at 28, I started art with a local private teacher when my son was born for a hobby. After my divorce I have suffered with chronic ill health while raising my son on my own. Now at 62 I have had more creative fallow years with the longest for 8 years. I lack creative confidence and experience, have ADHD and permanent PTSD. I have bought over 50 lessons from many artists/academies and never finished them including yours sadly Sadie. I have promised myself to finish them one by one. I am relocating with my new hubby to a quiet regional town where I will have a permanent studio space overlooking a beautiful vista. I have started a daily (mostly) creative practice to do colour charts so I can learn what paints that I have can be blended with another to compensate for sweat experience on the canvas. I look forward to your other articles.
I think it's a great idea to start with color charts! Exercises and small studies focused on one challenge at a time is the way I ease back into studio practice. Anything to keep the pressure low and enjoyment high. With ADHD we are motivated by dopamine reward, not after we have finished, but WHILE we are doing the thing. So keep it enjoyable so you look forward to it!
Regret is a way of punishing our past self, which makes us fear the judgment of our future self. Regard your younger self with compassion, and imagine your older self regarding you with compassion. Another way to ease the pressure.
What a lovely reply, thank you. I agree. I am still learning to be positive with all pain and being compassionate now to myself and to my younger self and yes I would expect my older self to be this way too. I do have to be quicker catching myself out when I start punishing myself for suffering for so long needlessly, it seems. All will be revealed in good timing. Maybe the benefits of having little to no support in my adulthood has strengthened my son with my grit that he exhibits now. Maybe too I have great ideas for paintings. Many blessings to you Sadie 🙏
Beautiful
Thank you!