Tag Archives for habit

Trying to force creativity

“What inspires you?” vs. “what inspires you to actually get off your ass and work?” are two totally different questions: the first one is easy: basically, everything. Okay, that’s cheating, I know, but really, sometimes it feels like it’s coming from all directions – other people, their art, their music, their love stories, stumbles and embarrassments. Being a sponge is easy – soaking up things you love – it’s the wringing out that we so often find so difficult.

I get stuck in creative ruts all the time. I fall into the habit of overthinking: wanting to make only ‘perfect’, ‘polished’ work, to make statements, to be clever and poignant and everything that my favorite artists seem so effortlessly to be. It gets so that some days I’d rather not pick up the brush because then, at least, I won’t create more chaff.

Then I’m reminded that lots of the artwork that I love so much – much of the stuff , the people I love so much, is because of the flaw, because of the fragility, imperfection and fleetingness of it/them. Going into the creative process with a single-minded goal and rigid expectation denies the opportunity for surprise.

The book Zen and the Art of Archery by Eugene Herrigel was suggested to me years back and it deals with the problem of trying very, very hard to… not have to try at all. Pah! What a joke! But it’s a good read. This small book illustrates, through the personal account of the author pursuing knowledge in Zen through the up taking of archery, the art of letting go. The relationship between artist and art is dissolved, and the author carefully addresses his struggles with the nuances of his Zen teacher and the Japanese culture:

“So I must become purposeless… on purpose?” (p. 35)

When I feel like I’m all used up and don’t know what to draw, I pile up a stack of paper, get out my ink, and sit down until all the pages have something – anything – on them. You can try this too. You don’t have to think or plan anything out, and it doesn’t matter if you aren’t happy with all the drawings – actually, that would be amazing! Rather, you will end up getting work out of your system that hopefully is a surprise even to you – no pressure – and it will be fun. I promise.

What inspires you to work?

How do you get out of creative ruts?

On the subject of cups

Today’s drawing, pencil and ink, ready for digital coloring. Sometimes this is what I feel like, especially when at home and working… making full pots of coffee or tea for one person, then drinking so much that you feel like you’re swimming in it… ahem…

An elaboration on this older drawing:

Besides being an ode to hot beverages, I’m trying to illustrate my love of ceramics and the allure of 50 cent mugs at thrift stores. Oh, and I’ve also been watching those TV shows about hoarders.

I’ve only ever been able to actually make mugs during school for one semester, and it was one studio I’d return to at night to toil away on little piles of miniature cups, and teapots. (This is me, when I had long hair and, consequently an ever-present topknot).

See? Too many!

I also use them for painting, which is a trick as I’m usually drinking coffee at the same time and often end up dipping the brush in my drink. This may be a reason I don’t paint in oils.

Picker – a new drawing

I recently finished a drawing I started – swear to god – before I went and saw Black Swan. Definitely concerning body image and obsessive compulsion, but also curiosity and body adornment.

I’ve been experimenting more with dry brush techniques and know there’s still a long way to go in the search for the perfect, elusive control/loss of control breaking point which so many of the artists I idolize express so well.