I was chuckling with a friend the other night that I am probably testing the limits of how much whining about creative roadblocks an artist can do on her blog. LOL I certainly do a lot of it. Creative roadblocks or interruptions are part and parcel of my artist/wife/mother life. The struggle to find a livable balance is an element of my expression. I tend to express that struggle more here than in my work.
Squeezing the occasional hour of studio time in between all the family end of the school year hubbub is the current challenge. I admire all the Type A artists who can do a zillion things at the same time but I’m not built that way. The results of my very limited studio moments these days have been a combination of aborted starts and creative crashes. I’m not too frustrated as long as I can keep my creative pilot light burning.
Overall I feel particularly disjointed lately. I am having a hard time expressing myself clearly here and in my jewelry pieces. It’s like I know what I want to say, but the words and the designs aren’t flowing very smoothly. Things are murky. Hopefully it’s just a temporary thing and it will resolve after E’s graduation and all the other end of school year chaos settles down. Meanwhile bear with me if I sound distracted and photos are a bit sparse.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Judy 05.29.08 at 9:44 am
No matter where you are in your journey Libby, you are authentic and honest. That is what draws me, and I assume others, here to see what is up with you lately. If it is that the well seems dry, we all have been there and can relate. If you are on a creative whirlwind, we are thrilled to see the output. One day you may look back and see this period as a necessary one of sorting and sifting. Hugs!
Jenn 05.29.08 at 11:28 am
If you look at the concept of blogging as electronic journaling, you’re not doing anything unusual in getting your feelings out of your head and onto a piece of virtual “paper” and shouldn’t feel the least bit as though you’re whining at all.
If anything, you can hopefully release some of your frustrations in this public diary of sorts, and we mere mortals can look at it as encouragement that you, too, are human. =)
Patricia 05.29.08 at 1:27 pm
Hi Libby,
I read your blog daily, and much enjoy your articulate observations on clay and life!
When I was writing my dissertation, I found two principles. 1. Hardest and most important step to creating: put butt in creating chair for at least 20 minutes. 2. If I am getting bored with the work, I’m not going deeply enough. And my newest post-dissertation principle: Thinking about it is NOT just as good as doing it. And of course, the primary principle female lesson: great creations need gestation!
Keep up the great work!
Libby 05.30.08 at 8:20 am
Thanks everyone! I have regular moments of laughing at myself and thinking “why would anyone want to read this?”. I am grateful for all your support.
And Patricia, I think I should print out your comment “Thinking about it is NOT as good as doing it” and stick it to the top of my laptop!
Dee Wilder 05.30.08 at 10:07 am
If history prevails, Bead & Button will rejuvenate you. You haven’t mentioned it, but I assume you’re going. You always return brimming with ideas and enthusiasm.
Janie Zetsch 05.30.08 at 1:43 pm
Isn’t this an issue that most of us face in many ways as women, trying to find that balance, dealing with the interuptions on said journey, and wanting affirmation? Seems like a life long journey sometimes.
I love your blog! I also love the studio series your are doing. I recently physically dedicated a space into a studio, versus doing it all over the hose. Still trying to get organized… It’s also great to see the studios of people whose work I follow.
And I also really love your art work! Thanks for sharing your creative processes with us.
Thanks,
Janie Zetsch