Creative Cycles: Up and down like a Yo Yo
I love this quote I read on Sheree's Blog
Making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."
Dr. Maya AngelouI had a friend mention I should get over my art mood because after all I don't "have" to earn a living with it.
Nobody HAS to earn a living with art, that is a choice.
BUT
the need to create isn't
Just as talking and eating
It is a need that is sometimes a pleasure and a pain
If creating was all about ego then there wouldn't be a problem
BUT
sometimes when the gap between expectation and reward gets too much it is discouraging
the ebb and flow of our creative energy is normal
Creative exhaustion is normal
"Telling Herstories" has a great article titled "Creative Cycles"
The Constant Creative Flux
It can also be annoying for others who don't understand
so my advice is just acknowledge it as a professional frustration
and my advice to me
don't blather on about it (well except here of course LOL)
I GAVE UP
I cut it up and put it into my sketchbook. I think technically it worked very well, I liked the concept, but aesthetically it just wasn't working. The central image was distracting from the focus of the piece which was about people's attitudes regarding shaving.
Oh well!
Meanwhile I was very happy with the results of my order from Canvas Press. This is for the ChamberPot Gallery exhibit in June and the theme is Yellow Springs. I had to stretch it myself and that was a REAL challenge to line it up on the edges. It didn't make sense to pay for it on stretchers when I has spare ones at home.
24" x 36"Knit Knot Tree
Comments
but then it's not me whinging about my husband, children, in-laws, etc etc etc .......
I'd read the quote from Angelou but had forgotten it. Thanks for the reminder.
Right now I'm in a trough period with creativity. Yup, the gap is discouraging. Back to the easel...
It affects us all even if we don't realize it. I have had the funniest time with it this spring. So strong at times, almost bowling me over. And completely nonexistent on other days. Blather on about it here, please!, so I can commiserate with you.
Love the page in your sketchbook...giggled when I saw it.
And as always I love the knitknot tree.
You rock!
As you say, it's sometimes a pleasure, sometimes a pain - but always necessary. I've noticed I start getting irritable when I haven't done anything creative for a few days.
Every time I finish a 10 week course I have to fill in a form stating how it was beneficial for me (don't ask me why, you know how the government and councils love figures) Anyway, one of the questions is something like "has the course made you more tolerant of other people from different backgrounds" - er no! If they don't think like me then they're weirdo's! Thankfully being on the course means I spend more time with like minded people :)