What can be said about this past week – it has for all of us been difficult to keep up. France and I send our sincere best wishes to you all.
A big welcome to the many newcomers joining the Break-a-Brush community this week, accessing course material on the website from their studios.
It’s still sinking in as to how our lives are incredibly changed and will continue to change. I’ve found it disorienting and even with some additional studio time, I’ve been stressing about not feeling like painting. I know I’m not alone. When I get a little “Artist’s Block”, I find the the path forward is twofold:
- Firstly, I don’t start other tasks, as social media or whatever will certainly take over. Art is hard and takes (sometimes uncomfortable) mental effort. Invariably, routine activities are easier.
- I forge ahead and start something and it doesn’t really matter what. Sometimes I have a burning idea, which is great, however that’s generally the exception. Most of the time I don’t, so I just begin a little drawing, or fiddle around the edges of a painting – even priming a canvas counts.
Creativity is often about turning up. Eugene Delacroix clocked this with: “Inspiration is getting to our studies at 9 am.” and from Pablo Picasso, the memorable: “Inspiration does exist but it must find you working.”
Keep safe,
David