Sunday, April 11, 2010

On Painter's Block

I belong to a local non-profit art gallery and for the first time four of my canvases have been included in a group show.  Working in the gallery today I was indeed surprised to find that my work stood on equal footing with those of other artists and now find the desire to paint again creeping to the surface. 

However the desire is not the problem; I've been reading through articles posted by other artists who face a dormant period and 'tips' on how to get started again.  One quotation in an article stands out.....on Art and Fear..."What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears continue; those who don't quit".  Mulling over this quote I find that indeed I have been afraid to start again, and I do so loathe being called a quitter....so back to business!

A 'tip' for me to get started again is to resurrect what I considered to be a 'bad' painting.  I've put it on the easel and will begin by trying to retrieve the original vision I had for this canvas and see where my paint brush leads me.

Wish me luck!

2 comments:

  1. Welcome back I too hope that this week I will paint again will make ready today to do so. I look forward to seeing this canvas in its finished state. Congratulations on the gallery hope they all sell.

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  2. I did the exact same thing! I didn't paint for about a year. I had my self convinced that I wanted to become a knitter! The reason I quit was because every time I looked at my art desk, I felt stressed instead of happy... I felt a pressure that people were expecting me to paint something wonderful... But a few months ago, I felt the urge again, and my husband helped me put together a whole new "studio" in our front room. I too resurrected an old unfinished painting for my first project. It didn't turn out very well, but it got me feeling like an artist again... I'm so glad you're painting again!

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