Climbing Out of Mudholes is Invigorating!

© 2012, R.L. Delight

Like so many places recently, we have had another bout of winter weather here on the coast. The winds came shrieking in at 70 mph plus then suddenly died. Then it began to snow. The snow caught us all by surprise and in a couple of hours we had a couple of inches of heavy slushy cold snow covering everything. Above is our little one-and-only main street that literally ends at the ocean, with a bit of remaining snow to be seen.
Great weather to be in the studio. In fact, knowing that spring, with all its distractions and additional work around house and yard is coming, I was in a bit of a fever to take advantage of the stormy weather. Unfortunately, my art muse, daemon, spirit guide, or whatever one chooses to call such a force, decided otherwise. I diligently set up a quick still life and ended up wiping the whole mess off the panel a couple hours later. I worked on my composition but couldn't seem to make that leap from sketchbook to canvas. I felt like everywhere I turned I was stumbling over something. Perhaps it is the time change we impose upon ourselves for no good reason that I can think of. Perhaps I am just in one of those spots that I am beginning to understand all creatives land in once in a while.
Ah, but to get out and move forward. I guess I could say that has been my accomplishment these past couple of days! All that reading, both of books and blogs, does pay off. I recognized what I was facing and I knew what to do: put my head down and press forward anyway.
So today after working at it the past couple of days and while still feeling the uncomfortable effects of the time change and the wild swings in weather and lunar influences, I finally broke free. It took a day or two but at least I might have wiggled out from under a little! The composition I worked on made that leap from sketchbook to canvas. Finally! I can see the next step now. I wisely backed off the mess on the panel and spent a bit of time snuggled up with hot chocolate almond milk researching art techniques. Patience was rewarded by several serendipitous posts and articles that pointed me to just where I needed to go.
I wonder if the process smooths out as one gains experience? I know from reading the blogs of artists who have been working for years that these spots happen. I think as one gains experience, the transition in and out gets faster, probably not easier though but that is OK, as long as one keeps pressing on.
I could continue rambling on this topic but I think you all get the idea. I found many wonderful things to inspire me but I will share this particular link with everyone. I have mentioned the War of Art by Steven Pressfield a few times before, which I highly recommend reading by the way. I re-read it frequently but I also enjoy his blog. He had a good post the other day with a message I have heard over and over again and necessarily so. Here is the link to it: Good Reads: Working on Two Tracks.  He is a writer of course but what he writes about on the subject of creativity applies to us all.
So here I leave you, climbing out of a mucky mess and hopefully on to a good streak of forward momentum...until the next mud hole happens!
-Renee

I Geek Creativity

I am posting this a bit early as we have the first official hurricane-force wind warning for the Oregon coast since 2007. The storm is due to hit in the wee hours and I am not sure if we will have power tomorrow. I wanted to honor my new commitment to posting on this blog twice a week. Winter has definitely decided it was time to show up. We had 2" of snow on the beach yesterday morning! Twill and I took the camera along on our morning sunrise walk:

Twill is my dear goofy dog. She is the best studio companion!
I have a lot of exciting things going on in my art world. In spite of that, I am putting in time in the studio. First up, I have a website built! My website can be found at rldelight.com. On it you will find pictures of my art, my artist statement, and bio. Oh, and the Delight? That is my last name, really!
Second, every spare minute I have has gone into listening and learning about art and art marketing. My latest and best find so far has been this fantastic podcast with Dreama Tolle Perry and Leslie Saeta. They have put out quite a few of them so it will take a while to hear them all. I have learned so much! They put in good research and produce quite an informative podcast, not to mention they are fun to listen to. I would highly recommend the podcast to anyone who is getting started in marketing their art or craft (weavers take note, most of their information would apply to a weaving business too!)
Finally, I love to read and study the art and science of creativity. I have been doing this for years so I have quite a list of books I have read and websites I have investigated. I rarely learn anything really new but I do find most of them inspiring, and some not as inspiring. One common thread that nearly all, if not all, have is this simple message:
Do The Work!!!
Do It Now.
Sometimes it is put in different terms like show up at the page/easel/loom. Notice I used every highlight device I have at my disposal on the phrase. I bet you already know this in your heart and head. Sometimes it can take a bit to get it into your body. That's OK, as long as it gets there! My body is starting to get that and dances up to the studio, climbs into the loom, and sits down with the cello with regularity. I am finding it very joyful.
I will put the podcast and artist links in the side bar too. Go listen to the podcast. I subscribed through iTunes and listen to it (and others) while I do dishes and clean house. I have even caught myself doing chores that I would otherwise put off because I know I get to listen to the podcast! Hint: have a notepad and pen handy.
Now I am off to batten down the hatches. I will have a progress report on my painting on Sunday.
-Renee