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So here's my dilemna - I worry, whenever I take a break from painting, that I'll get rusty. And this does happen! But I also know when I take a break, especially if I do nothing, I get new ideas and inspiration. And sometimes when I come back to painting I'm actually not rusty at all. But sometimes I do my best work when I plow through a tough spot and just keep painting even when I'm not inspired. The hardest thing for me - my dilemna - is knowing when to take a break and when to plow through. I wonder if there is a secret for this, or if it's just ... a dilemna.
17 comments:
Beautiful!
I don't think there is an easy solution for this, BUT i will say as an aging artist that as I've gotten older I really don't have the "ENERGY" anymore to "Plow through" like I used to, if I wanted to. In my experience as an artist there was a point where I could go for longer periods without painting and not loose much in the skill department. Many time I think I grew in different areas of my creative abilities by taking off...like you said. It seems much like the actual process of painting...when having extreme difficulties and tortuous problems, take a break and then go back to it re-energized and sometimes the solutions eveb
come to you while you are away from the painting.
To quote Winston Churchill, "...a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma"
Beautiful Carol!! Believe me it's definitely a dilemna!
You know I like flowers, cropping things and big in the face compositions...... and I love these rose paintings. They are fun, bold, colorful and in your face.
I agree with the lack of energy as one ages.
I that's one reason I adore your daily paintings!
You are so inspiring.
As for the dilemma, in my own life I have found "discipline" to be the answer, but illusive. I guess I'm suggesting that you schedule regular breaks, no ifs, ands, or buts!
We all love you and don't want you to burn out! But, neither do we want you to stop painting!!
GORGEOUS ROSES OF LATE!!!
I just love these roses and I don't even like flowers that much- they are so perfect and symmetrical- but I just want to fall into this one and take a bath!
The dilemma? We all face it. I try to just follow the creative energy where it leads me instead of forcing it too much- forcing it make me tired and feels like work.
Having fun seems to make things balance better for me.
I have no advice about the dilemma, but I love your close-up roses.
So pretty, I can smell them.
I've learned over the years that I have to take a proper break from blogging every three months. If I do so I am refreshed and keen to return. If I don't I get over-tired and begin to get fed-up.
I don't think we should under-estimate the value of a break. How long you need is up to you.
Your roses are just so beautiful...love them all! As far as the dilemna- I love what Nancy Franke says about living life and bringing that into your paintings. I think that can inform your work and bring fresh energy. Hope you take a break friend and come back swinging! Miss you! XO!
Awesome rose!!! No dilmna aboutt that!
Oh guys, dilemma is such a negative word. It is after all in our heads. We are always preparing for our next piece even if we do not have a paint brush in hand. Bumps in the road tell us to slow down...LOOK and take it all in. Observation allows us to refresh our options. We Americans tend to be too production oriented. It is the process/path that is the joy.
So well stated Cerol- I often mull over this myself. And like James, each year older (or dealing with health issues) it is tougher to 'plow through' when the energy levels just aren't what they used to be. Many times these slumps ARE the precursor to a big breakthrough. Yet, we can never get our art 'off the brain'....constant dilemma. It's a relief to know I'm not the only one with this on my mind, thanks for being so honest about it!
Yes- we are all striving for balance in our lives!
And- I love how this painting has a good sense of balance even though the flower is pushed to one side of the composition- an excellent I idea. I never would have thought of doing a close up of one flower in that way. Wonderful.
my favourite part is the veiny texture on the underside of the middle petal. Beautiful
As far as "Artist's Block" is concerned - I think there's a difference between needing a break and taking one, and having to take one because of life events, etc- when you'd rather be painting (this one causes me to get a little pissy), but whether the cold start will plague you when you return is totally random! Maybe there's some connection to this awesome warm weather that's keeping us "warmed up" even though there are lots of vacations interspersed with studio time this summer! Anyway, I struggle with these fears and questions all the time, too, and in the end we just have to DO IT ANYWAY! Like running! :) - Sarah
When I'm feeling stuck and I feel the need for a break, I'll put on a completely different kind of music and play it LOUD while I paint. Right now it's Dixieland jazz. Last month it was Aboriginal tribal music. If the music doesn't jolt me out of my slump, I put down the brushes and put the feet UP! No guilt! I did my best :)
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