This long dark winter has been a creative desert for me. It has been so long since I have done anything artsy that my creative voice has been completely silenced. Even when I am too busy with life to get into the studio, my mind is usually awash in ideas and images. Often I think of new designs, but I also spend a lot of time mentally problem-solving the more complex ideas I’ve had. In the past months, I have been so completely closed off from all of my usual creative pursuits that I didn’t notice the absence of ideas right away. Frankly my brain has been feeling like it’s just full of white noise.
When I realized it, I got kind of scared… and then I got mad… at myself. I don’t want to be like this anymore, and I am tired of waiting for my creative voice to magically wake up on its own. So I’ve taken steps to wake it up, and it’s starting to work. First of all I signed up for my metals class again. In several weeks all I have done is solder a few bezels to base sheets and cut and file them. I haven’t made it down to the studio yet, but taking that first step, getting my hands on one of the materials I love, has banished that feeling of white noise. I’ve got ideas and images floating around in my head again, jewelry designs I want to play around with, and I am thrilled.
I am holding off on the celebration until after I get down into my studio and get my hands on some polymer clay. I think it will be soon though because for the first time in a very long time I want to get back to it.
(This post has been sitting in my “drafts” folder for a couple of weeks. I’m happy to say my creative voice is back! I’ll try to post more about it soon, but for now I’m going to ride the wave.)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, Liz – welcome back! We’ve missed you! Your art has missed you! Just remember that all you need are baby steps. You don’t have to be “all better” all at once. Just try to make today a teensy bit better than yesterday.
Libby,
I have been going through a similar drought for a while. I seem to be coming out of it. and what I have found works best is just to go into the studio and do anything. Just sit at the bench for 10 minutes if thats all you can do. Glad to see you posting again.
No words of advice The path is different for all of us. But welcome back to the possibility. Acknowledging the yearning is a wonderful first step.
hey libby,
your work is so inspiring to me, i can hardly wait to see what you come up with next!!
xo
tejae