NOT FEELING IT
Final critique for my ELEVATE Artists Mentor Program in San Luis Obispo. Amazing group of artists and beautiful work.
“The significance of the work is in its effort not in its intentions. And the effort is a state of mind, an activity, and an interaction with the world.”
Richard Serra, Artist
Not Feeling It
You are not feeling particularly creative or inspired today. You want to work but you are just not feeling it.
What can you do?
One of the first things I do, when I am not feeling it, is to either say “YES” or “NO” to making art today. You want to declare either a “YES” or “NO”. You do not want a “MAYBE”. “MAYBE” tortures you with indecision, which can last all day. If you do not want to work today, say “NO” and move on with the rest of your day. And do something else. With no guilt for not wanting to work.
If the answer is a “YES”, then what?
Do not wait for inspiration to strike. Instead, trigger inspiration by beginning to work. On anything. Make some marks. Get some paper dirty. Show up and start. Pick a surface, pick a brush, pick a paint color or two and start applying paint. Create abstract grounds for future pieces.
Gluing down some collage materials never fails to get me going.
While I am waiting for things to dry, I flip open my journal of ideas, techniques and processes, and begin to thumb through the pages looking for anything that catches my eye. (You do keep a journal of ideas, techniques and processes, don’t you?) {SMILE}.
The point is: Say “YES”, show up, begin, and stay put until something happens.
It may sound simple, however, just showing up at your easel, table, or workspace is often all you need to kickstart your creativity, especially when you are just not feeling it.
Best,
David
ELEVATE Los Angeles 2017
I have just wrapped up my ELEVATE Artists Mentor Program here in San Luis Obispo County. It was amazing to work with six very talented and wonderful artists who experienced the power of ELEVATE.
I am so excited to be able to offer ELEVATE in Los Angeles again. If you think you might be interested in being one of only seven artists to be able to participate in this groundbreaking program, please click here to let us know if you are interested and we will place you on the Early Interest List. If you are interested in learning more about the program, you can click here. Spaces are limited, so give yourself the opportunity to ELEVATE now.
[COMING SOON]
ELEVATE: Artist Mentorship (Los Angeles, 2017)
Los Angeles, CA | 3-Month Group Program | Limited to 7 Artists