Even though I sold a painting last week, I am having trouble maintaining focus and being inspired to paint lately.  There are so many really good artists - does the world need me?

Has anyone else had this problem?  (I'm betting yes?)  and most importantly, how can I handle it?

THANKS,
Holly


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I just thought I would say hi, and let you know that I read your question. Yes, the world needs you. I need you. I need to see that smile on your face when I turn on your page and see your art that I find encouraging. I still remember that beach that you painted. I think that if you are not inspired to paint right now, then don't, but also don't stress over it. Do something else. I like to search the internet and look at good art. When I see something that inspires me, then I spend a lot of time finding everything I can -images.google.com or other places - and finding photos of that idea and just stick them in a folder on the computer. I "enjoy" the time of just looking. I just go with the flow of the moment, and I think it is OK. I took some time and did a color class and in that course I did some paintings. Holly, if you are not trying to support yourself with the money you make selling your art, then don't stress over anything. Enjoy it. Just because "some" paint everyday does not mean that we have to. I have even found inspiration when I cleaned my studio. Holly cow, I found stuff I did not even remember having, and then I was all excited to use it. When it is time for you to paint again, you will. In the mean time, just enjoy life. Take a drive and go on a "photo shoot" as I call them. Just relax. This journey is a life long thing so take your time and "smell the flowers" too. No stress allowed. BIG HUG.....It will be OK! Ro
I have periods when I see very good paintings and wonder I wouldnt have the time to get to that level. But then I realize that my paintings are like my handwriting, its me and I own it, So now I keep painting as I get inspiration from the works of other artist, like Sargent, Zorn and other contemporary artist. If I am not painting, for lack of inspiration, I would go to youtube and listen to music and watch others paint for inspiration or I read a book on painting water colors.

Hi Holly,

Being inspiration deficient is a NORMAL thing for artists - for some, it just lasts longer than others. I am just coming out of a time of not being very productive. It can be frustrating. THINK about the situation, DON"T STRESS about it! No-one performs well under stress. It is the #1 reason we don't think clearly. In fact, I decided not to think about art; next thing I knew, there were ideas knocking in my mind to get out!

I kept telling myself "think outside the square"! If you look at my gallery - you will see a sketch from my art journal - "Drinking outside the square". It came about from a play on those words. Sometimes that is enough to set you going again.

I keep an art journal - I put all sorts of sketckes in it. They don't have to be anything more than a few basic lines that mean something to you, or they could be full blown mini paintings - it just depends on how you feel at the time or what you feel about the subject.

Look at the ground - what do you see? Leaves, stones, rocks, plants? Just see what you can do with what is there.

How many famous artists' painted what was in their studio? Nearly everyone of them. If it wasn't studio items, it was self portraits! That is a very revealing experience!

We all need the Holly's of the art world! Never ever think you are not needed. We are all at different stages in our art  journey. Some take the long road, while others take the fast lane. We all get there eventually.

Happy painting Holly. Just go with the flow!

Gail.

"Never be afraid to try something new.

Remember...Amateurs built the Ark,

Professionals built the Titanic!"

- Dave Berry.

 

I often think about this quote.

Regards,

Gail

    When I get a little depressed or cannot seem to get myself fired up to paint,I think of my friend Will Pardee.  I met Will at one of the art shows.  Later after knowing Will for a while He stopped by.  I was half asleep in my artist chair and it began rocking..... I woke up to find Will ramming me with his wheel chair and laughing outloud.  He asked me for a business card and I, not thinking went to hand it to him. (Will is a quadroplegic)  spelling???  He said just slide it under my hand.  When I sit with my hands straight out in my chair I think of that moment.  Well you see will draws and paints with his mouth.  Does great work.   So Like I told him this last year,   Will you lift me up when I am down.and then I get inspired.  Will is a great example of a great guy.  If you happen to get the chance, especially here just before Christmas stop by his website and drop him an e-mail and give him some encouragement.   Just Google....Will Pardee.com     Gary Odmark

Hi Holly,

Although there is a time lapse between when you first asked the question and when I am responding to them,  I still think I am within my own boundaries in replying as this question as  it has relevance to us all as artists, and it appears open ended.  I also respect the other artist’s comments,and would like to add that  I am committed to learning from everyone.

I will start by focusing on your questions, use a comment by Richard Robinson, and formulate my own questions about your emotions in relation to your work as an artist.  I will also separateyour remarks, as they all deserve respect. 

The purpose of this exercise is to help you understand yourself, and also help me understand some of my own emotions. There is also a very airy fairy side to me which tends to fly in every direction, so I have decided to use a formal approach in order to methodically respond to your questions and to keep my own thoughts together.  :))

Your comment. “ I sold a painting last week, and now I am having trouble maintaining focus and being inspired to paint “.

Questions:-

 

Do you think there may be a correlation between the painting  you sold and your emotions now?

Were you happy, sad or indifferent when you sold the painting?

Did you put a lot of passion in to the painting?

Do you think you will be able to paint beyond your present level of expertise?

Did you think you charged enough for this painting?

Do you think you have lost something by feeling uninspired and unfocused?

Is there a deeper unresolved emotion that surfaces when you have to start a new painting?

 

Next comment.... There are so many really good artists.  

 

 Comment from Richard Robinson:-  He said there will always be better artiststhan himself, and he will always be better than some artists.  It's like that with everyone, and that’s just the way it is!!

 

Your Comment….Does the world need me? 

Questions:-

 

Why do you want the world to need you?

Why do you want to please the world?

How will you please the world?

If you do want to please the world, have you written down how to achieve this goal?

How many paintings do you want to sell before you think you have attained that goal?

What will it feel like when the world needs me?

Do you want to please yourself?

 

It has been  my aim to gently roll the ball in your direction, to help you to focus and inspire you to understand yourself. 

 

I deeply feel what you are going through, I too have been there and I have slowly pulled myself out of a 2 week abyss by completing an abstract piece.  I love doing them as they reveal my emotions. 

 

I also enjoy the watercolor medium as it teaches me to be transparent in both my art and with myself also!!  Happy painting!!

Thanks Liz!!

Elizabeth Lamb said:
Excellent reply, Patricia. Very eloquently put. Liz X

Patricia said:

Hi Holly,

Although there is a time lapse between when you first asked the question and when I am responding to them,  I still think I am within my own boundaries in replying as this question as  it has relevance to us all as artists, and it appears open ended.  I also respect the other artist’s comments,and would like to add that  I am committed to learning from everyone.

I will start by focusing on your questions, use a comment by Richard Robinson, and formulate my own questions about your emotions in relation to your work as an artist.  I will also separateyour remarks, as they all deserve respect. 

The purpose of this exercise is to help you understand yourself, and also help me understand some of my own emotions. There is also a very airy fairy side to me which tends to fly in every direction, so I have decided to use a formal approach in order to methodically respond to your questions and to keep my own thoughts together.  :))

Your comment. “ I sold a painting last week, and now I am having trouble maintaining focus and being inspired to paint “.

Questions:-

 

Do you think there may be a correlation between the painting  you sold and your emotions now?

Were you happy, sad or indifferent when you sold the painting?

Did you put a lot of passion in to the painting?

Do you think you will be able to paint beyond your present level of expertise?

Did you think you charged enough for this painting?

Do you think you have lost something by feeling uninspired and unfocused?

Is there a deeper unresolved emotion that surfaces when you have to start a new painting?

 

Next comment.... There are so many really good artists.  

 

 Comment from Richard Robinson:-  He said there will always be better artiststhan himself, and he will always be better than some artists.  It's like that with everyone, and that’s just the way it is!!

 

Your Comment….Does the world need me? 

Questions:-

 

Why do you want the world to need you?

Why do you want to please the world?

How will you please the world?

If you do want to please the world, have you written down how to achieve this goal?

How many paintings do you want to sell before you think you have attained that goal?

What will it feel like when the world needs me?

Do you want to please yourself?

 

It has been  my aim to gently roll the ball in your direction, to help you to focus and inspire you to understand yourself. 

 

I deeply feel what you are going through, I too have been there and I have slowly pulled myself out of a 2 week abyss by completing an abstract piece.  I love doing them as they reveal my emotions. 

 

I also enjoy the watercolor medium as it teaches me to be transparent in both my art and with myself also!!  Happy painting!!

I have Holly.  I look around and see all these amazing paintings, and if I have actually managed to pick my brush up I soon put it down.  I have been like this for a year now and I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get back in the saddle.

 

I also have a problem with parting with the paintings I like.  I give them to family and friends and then I think they might have put them straight in to a cupboard! I really enjoyed painting them I think that is a shame to give them away.

 

Marie

Just as an after thought Holly, try doing what I have done, I pick a topic ie Slavery and the Arab connection, I then research it on the internet and after that I look for artists who have painted something in that theme.  I always find something of interest and you never know you might be inspired as I sometimes am.......the journey is interesting in its' own right.

Hi Holly...Although there are a lot of really great  and inspiring artists around, there is only one you. Only  you see the world the way you see it ,in the colours you see it ,in the shapes and shades you see it....you see the world around you your way..... Imagine if Monet or Van gough or picasso  had decided not to paint because there were so many others around them doing ...(better) The world would be a lot less inspiring if they had decided to throw it in.....or not even start

Theres only one way to paint and thats to simply pick up a brush dab the paint and go......

Hi Holly - I've often asked this question too - and wondered if the last 10 years of painting were just a phase in my life - but then I realise that the creativity makes me happy and when I like what I paint and paint what I like - it doesn't really matter who else likes it - but then people do respond to it when we paint out of our creative centre. Don't give up. Even time spent drawing or sketching can restore that desire to paint. And I find the workshops help me to keep my hand in when there is not much happening elsewhere in my artistic life. Enjoy! I hope you have a good year artistically and find growth and contentment in it! Annie

To get inspired when I'm not too thrilled to paint because perfectionism holds me back, I will simply "play" with my paints. I get out a cheap canvas board, get out acrylic paint since it is easy to clean up and pick any subject to paint. I use only 2 colors and white to keep it simple. I made my two seagull paintings this way after being challenged by Richard to paint with only 2 colors. It works! Praying helps me a lot as well.

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