A CREATIVITY DISTRACTION
"Don't worry about your originality. You could not get rid of it even if you wanted to."
~Robert Henri
I am in the middle of a major creativity distraction. An art making disruption, if you will. My mom passed away two weeks ago. So now what? Well, obviously I am grieving. I loved her very much and we were close. I am also spending time with family, going through my folks things with my sister, and taking care of business. It is important to give myself a break and treat myself with kindness during this time.
Since I find myself unable to be in the studio physically, emotionally and mentally, how am I handling this creativity distraction? The answers are in the above photo.
First, I am doing a lot of writing: recording thoughts, notes, phrases, words and ideas. Anything that comes to mind. You never know where an idea for the next painting or series will come from. By the way, I had several ideas for my next body of work, however, since my moms passing, I may now be headed in another direction. As artists, we have to be flexible.
I have been doodling rough ideas on scraps of paper and gluing them in my journal. I am sketching in my sketchbook. I am reading, thinking and looking. All in an attempt to retain some kind of creativity momentum. It's not the same as being in the studio, obsessed with a particular painting in progress, however, for me, these other activities are the next best thing. And they keep my head in the game. They keep me "in the arena," so to speak.
Should you ever find yourself with a creativity distraction, be it a major or a minor one, perhaps you can learn from me and my experience, and find creative ways to keep your head in the game. And for me, keeping my head in the game is a distraction from the distraction.
Best,
David