I had an episode. It's a regular episode that I have often. Does this happen to you? Deadlines approach... commissions on the go... mothering and housewifery taking regular priority 24/7... creative juices flowing but no time for me to make them real. I feel a sense of panic. I get edgy. In my teens I used to smoke. This feels a lot like the same type of withdrawal, and I just need a 'hit' of fulfillment that my list of responsibilities simply cannot satisfy. I try to resist the creative urge but my priorities become further and further out of reach. I get testy and end up accomplishing nothing. Finally, I drop everything, head outside and just start stitching - for me - with no particular goal in mind.
Aaahhh it feels good. Gee, I love hand quilting! I'm grounded again and easily managed to complete a couple of projects in one afternoon. I wanted to believe that 'On Floral Road' was done, but I knew something was lacking in this piece. Now it has a nice lush foreground. It just popped to life with the right hand stitches.
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| hand stitching in the grasses of the forefront |
I have to remember that when it comes to creativity and inner tension, I need to always take time to put me first, albeit briefly. Now I'm back on track! (A good run outside has the same results FYI).
3 comments:
So nice to see you talk about this. :)
I have two projects due at the beginning of October - I know that seems like a long time away, but they're big projects and take 4-6 weeks - and I have 2 weeks vacation in there too where BSP and I are going to see my work at two galleries in the US.
So I should have been getting right to work, right?
I got everything out last week, gessoed my background got ready to start, and froze.
So I made a couple of small, lovely things (that not incidentally give me some breathing room on my blog while I do the boring beginning work on the pieces!) and I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the big ones.
Paintbrush at the ready! ;)
It is good to hear that you managed to get yourself back on track again. It is horrible when you have so much to do and don't know where to start!!
Your 'On Floral Road' is beautiful - it looks almost lifelike. Lovely work :)
I was thinking that when I feel like that I need to go run, when I came to your last line. I'm feeling that way today because I didn't get out yesterday and it's rainy today, hopefully better later.
The hand stitches really add to it.
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