returning to painting

After an 8 week break due to a broken wrist, Christmas, the flu and the yearly launch of my coaching programme …I finally got back in the studio and got paint under my fingernails again! Starting where I left off before Christmas I warmed back up by returning to my concertina sketchbook and what I’ve been learning with the fabulous Karen Stamper.

the struggle is real!

You would not believe the fight I had to face against self doubt, my confidence was rock bottom - not unusual after a break from art making. Far from being relaxing, therapeutic and restorative, this was painful! Is it ok to admit that?!! I know that this is the experience of most artists after time away from the studio, in fact I asked my artist friends what they do to overcome such situations and I thought you might like to read their words of wisdom:

• I put paint on something without expectations of a finish and just push thru with baby steps
  
• I keep working in my sketchbook until I feel the mojo come back.
• I try to focus on experimenting and playing with materials. Try something new.
• I push through the uncomfortable feelings and frustrations and allow myself to make work that I’m not happy with, allowing myself to make ‘bad’ art leads to better art.
  
• I usually find sketching, mixing different colours and just clearing the studio can be enough to make a few steps in the right direction.
• Just starting again is the toughest part. Collage is a quick way to get things going - sometimes cutting up old work or magazines, glueing down shapes and colours. The element of not caring or dissatisfaction can in fact be helpful, use its destructive potential to lead to new avenues and direction. That and just showing up in the studio again and again to get those squeaky wheels turning.

This is a great example of why it is so so important to have people around you who do what you do and walk through the same challenges you face. Artists need other artists!

Anyway I am back, I am fighting and I am doing this!