Regaining Momentum
Thoughts on finding my art practice again after taking a short break.
I've been away from the easel for a couple of weeks now and I find myself procrastinating a bit while I try to figure out what to do next. It's a universal problem, this momentum loss, and I wanted to share some ideas for jump starting a stalled art practice.
1. Start drawing first thing in the morning. Well, after coffee. Just draw "mindlessly" for a bit and if you are like most of us, you'll be getting some new ideas before too long.
2. Look at your probably very large stash of photos and select a few as reference for a new painting. The act of making the selections will bring along the urge to work.
3. Walk into your place of art making, and start cleaning up. Just being in the room can bring on the muse, and who wants to clean when you can paint?
4. Keep a notebook or sketchbook handy and jot down the random art ideas that occur at odd times in the day. Read the notebook now for something you can use to get started.
5. Look at some great art at a local gallery, museum, on on the net. It's so inspiring!
6. Set up a still life the night before, get out a canvas, brushes, paint, and so on and then nothing is in the way of your excellent start the next day. Or choose a plein air location, and pack your car the night before. Call a friend to meet you at the location at the chosen time.
7. Participate in an ongoing art group of some sort and meet regularly. Other people's projects may inspire yours, or there may be opportunities shared there that will spark your interest.
8. Try working in a new medium, or an old one you haven't revisited for awhile.
Eventually I began to work again. ( I used #7 to get going. The painting below is from one of my drawing groups.)
The Muse visits during the process of creation, not before. Don't wait for her. Start alone. Roger EbertIt's a bit like starting a train from a dead stop: the wheels slowly begin to turn, the whistle blows, and then before you know it, you're moving forward again. Now if I could just figure out what track the train is on!
I've been away from the easel for a couple of weeks now and I find myself procrastinating a bit while I try to figure out what to do next. It's a universal problem, this momentum loss, and I wanted to share some ideas for jump starting a stalled art practice.
1. Start drawing first thing in the morning. Well, after coffee. Just draw "mindlessly" for a bit and if you are like most of us, you'll be getting some new ideas before too long.
2. Look at your probably very large stash of photos and select a few as reference for a new painting. The act of making the selections will bring along the urge to work.
3. Walk into your place of art making, and start cleaning up. Just being in the room can bring on the muse, and who wants to clean when you can paint?
4. Keep a notebook or sketchbook handy and jot down the random art ideas that occur at odd times in the day. Read the notebook now for something you can use to get started.
5. Look at some great art at a local gallery, museum, on on the net. It's so inspiring!
6. Set up a still life the night before, get out a canvas, brushes, paint, and so on and then nothing is in the way of your excellent start the next day. Or choose a plein air location, and pack your car the night before. Call a friend to meet you at the location at the chosen time.
7. Participate in an ongoing art group of some sort and meet regularly. Other people's projects may inspire yours, or there may be opportunities shared there that will spark your interest.
8. Try working in a new medium, or an old one you haven't revisited for awhile.
Eventually I began to work again. ( I used #7 to get going. The painting below is from one of my drawing groups.)
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| "model moment" oil on mylar 13" x 9" |
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