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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Dec 4 7:56am | Replies (4374)Comment receiving replies
Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group reply from becubuddy(above) . I am an artist also but I can’t seem to get motivation right now. I am tearing apart things that I had started (fiber artist) and rethinking the concept to see if I can go in any new directions. I never want to waste materials! I have a cabinet full of paints,marker,stencils,patterns and lots of yarn,fabric,twosewing machines and all related paraphernalia. How do you start yourself?
Replies to "Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group..."
Hello @susu2. So happy to meet another artist! I'm really too tired to respond to your post tonight but would love to do so soon. If I forget to get back to you, please give me a nudge!
Warmest regards
Laurie
Hello again @susu2. Replying to your question of how to get motivated with your art, I guess there's no easy answer.
I am a retired artist now (85 yrs old!) but when I showed my paintings in galleries in 4 different cities, if I wanted to keep my professional status and be in their "stable" of artists, it was necessary to paint, paint, paint! I didn't have much trouble with that, being a passionate painter back in the day. I often had Mozart playing in the background as an energizer, as I painted my very large canvases. Choose some upbeat music that you like - no soft, sleepy stuff! Also, I always started my day with a good brisk walk with my dog (her name was Emily Carr).
I know you are a fibre artist, but motivation is still a primary issue, no matter what our creative media might be. You have to decide the night before that tomorrow you're going to DO it, and stick to that. No phone calls, no texting, no distractions! Just DO it.
It's wise to have a plan, so you don't just muddle through the morning organizing fabric, threads, etc. Look at some of your fibre magazines, your past work, etc., for new inspiration.
Once you get started, you'll find you get happily lost in the process, and by day's end, you'll be so proud of yourself.
I hope this is of some help to you. I'd love to see some of your new projects.
Warmest regards,
Laurie
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@susu2 Oh boy, do I know that feeling of having a room full of art supplies and no motivation to use them! I’m a great collector of art supplies, fabrics, fibers, beads...you name it! Every artist hits a wall, lacks inspiration or just feels it’s not worth the effort to drag out the supplies you need to get started. Or, sometimes it’s simply the weight of the UFOs in our closets suppressing our creativity. It’s perfectly acceptable to liberate yourself from those tired projects that just aren’t working for you.
You mentioned fiber arts. Do you make art quilts with mixed media? Do you like to make journals, collage prints? Have you seen anything recently that’s even just caught your attention a little bit? I’ve been stagnant for a while too. But recently saw a video on making books and journals. Boing!! That caught my attention. I’ve always had a love for making paper. So now I’ve started doing that again and creating hand sewn journals.
Sometimes all it takes is a nudge. Have you looked on youtube for inspiration? There are quick tutorials for simple watercolors, handmade journals, paper folding, ideas for art quilts, fabrics and fibers.
We have a group here called Group for Healing. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/
Lots of inspirational artists and stories there! I have a number of other ideas for you depending on where your interests lie.
Let’s unblock that dam of creative juices! Lori.