Dear Diary,
I think I will put a little yellow blob on the page and make it into a bird. It may not be a perfect bird- actually it may end up being a blob (art demo). 8 out of 10 of my paintings are blobs… sometimes I’m a Blob. That's okay.
If I let go of the need for my painting to be anyway other than it is, that's good practice for allowing myself to not be anything other than what I am ... and what I'm not. We get so much more from art than a painting.
"Painting is self-discovery.
Every good artist paints what he is."
- Jackson Pollock
Today I am a Bird.
"When life hands you a blob,
make a bird...
or just leave it a blob if you want."
Whatever...
~Jill Badonsky
Bravery
Creativity takes Bravery.
When my painting or drawing is half done, it takes bravery to continue because there's a chance I'll mess it up. I take photos at various phases along the way so I have a record of the earlier unblundered phases and because sometimes I like the drawing better without the paint. But when I do take the step to continue, the bravery I'm practicing spills over to being brave ... about life. And I need that cause life is sometimes downright terrifying. Sometimes it's rather nice. though.
When I write something, it takes bravery to share it. Not everyone likes my books, my writing, or me for that matter. That's okay, my inner brat keeps me on track by saying...
SO WHAT!
Begin again as necessary.
I'll choose a Georgia O'Keefe state of mind and say:
“I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free.”
Bewilderment
Let's take apart the word “bewilderment” and make it “be wild.” When I wildly let loose and am a kid again, I lower expectations and am braver. The intention to be wild is made of bravery, audacity, and sometimes too many cupcakes.
Many people I work with in the realm of creativity are bewildered why they have lost their inspiration or desire to do anything. If you're feeling resistant right now, you're not alone. Many of us are in PTSD from the pandemic. politics, and the globe heating up. PTSD can suspend creativity.
Be kind to yourself, trust that your juju will be back. Lower your expectations and do something small and crappy. Or just trust that it’s okay to take a break, your desire to do your work will be back. And when it is... begin again.
Sometimes it's okay, to not be okay... sometimes it's okay to be bewildered, blob-like, and bashful. This too shall pass. Have a cupcake.
For monthly creative workshops and two creative Badonsky prompts a week, shared in a community of beautiful, non-competitive, anti-overwhelm supportive beings, join the Underground Highway to Creative Results. Low pressure, low cost, lots of love. Especially for intimidated beginners. Our next workshop is January 12.
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