Are you in a funk?
I certainly am.
I received some sound and much needed advice yesterday from a friend and regular commenter, Leslie, on how to get myself out of it. Create a list. It’s so simple!
It’s been very difficult to get motivated or off my backside.
I had the worst panic attack today, since I started getting them, and I refuse to let this thing turn me into a quivering wreck. So, after I had my panic attack I wrote a list of all the things I want to do: around the house, on my website, in my art. There’s a lot on the list, but all highly manageable. Some items will take much longer to achieve than others, but they are goals for the future as well as the present moment.
I want to decorate my house and work on my garden as well, so I thought that a bit of manual work might do me some good. Do you know that manual work is the best thing for the mind? Well, that and exercise. It’s very similar to meditation – you exist in the moment – just as in painting.
In meditation class, our teacher told us to focus on the task in hand, no matter if you’re doing the dishes or digging your garden. It’s something I’ve lost sight of in recently. I haven’t attended class for a while, and I think I really should.
Anyway, I created the list and I worked on a few things on the list. I did some housework: washed the windows, curtains, and floors. I then went out into the garden and mowed the front lawn. I did some strimming of the front and side borders, then I got out the weedkiller and attacked the weeds. I managed to tick off several items, which felt really good.
I did a few things relating to the site, and they are partially ticked off.
I also figured out some things I need to do for my art, to get me back on the path. I was thinking of selling some of my work. I have tonnes of it lying around, and while a lot of it isn’t really saleable, there are a few items that I think are. It also made me focus on the idea of selling future work. This will not only (hopefully) earn me a little bit of cash, but more importantly, it will give me the focus I need.
I have written a list of what I want to achieve in the short and medium term: figure drawing, anatomy and such likes. I also found another artist to inspire me in this area: Michael Mentler. If you haven’t heard of him, you should check out his artwork. He is a figurative artist who models himself in the style of the Masters, and it shows, yet his work is completely different and simply incredible! You can also check him out at The Society of Figurative Arts.
All-in-all, I think I achieved a lot today, and importanly, I am motivated to do more. So tomorrow I will work on my list and do a couple of things, or just one thing. Who knows?
I’d love to hear what others do to get motivated. Over to you…
I read your post then saw this post: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/06/thi...
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Seemed like I just had to tell you!
This is PAMO by the way- I'm signed into one of my wordpress accounts… I think I need to delete that one.
Brilliant Pam! That sounds exactly like me! Lol. When all else fails, retreat to the internet! Haha. I think I may have to do a post on that. You have a wordpress account? I prefer wordpress personally. There's so much you can do with it.
Thank you for that link, it really cheered me up!
Hey! Thank-you for the mention! I am sorry to hear about panic attacks….maybe tomorrow,none? Great. You got started and accomplished more than I did. Now, I feel guilty! Love Michael Mentler's work. Inspiring indeed. So much energy even in standing poses, don't you think. Strong use of line and color. Love it!
You're more than welcome Leslie. You helped me immensely. Now, I can get back to my normal (what's normal?) routine! So far, only feeling a little panicky, but not too bad. I have the doctor this afternoon, so we'll see how it goes.
I only found Michael Mentler a couple of days ago, and to be honest, I'd never heard of him but his work is amazing and so beautiful. The standing poses are fantastic, but I love the faces as well. You can really see Leonardo da Vinci in his work, don't you think?
Good idea on the list making. I have considered doing flash cards that I tear up once the task is accomplished. I also started a second blog to showcase my art. it is http://c-scribbling.blogspot.com
Haha! Yeah I'm not big on flash cards. I've always had a lists thing, though never in my personal life – it's always related to my work, art, etc. Thank you for the link to your new site! I checked it out and bookmarked it. Looking good so far!
How to get inspired… good question. I seem to have too many ideas racing around my brain all the time so I don't often have that problem. Don't worry, you're just beginning along you path and it will evolve and change as you grow. A couple of years ago, I felt like my art was going to have a big change but didn't know which direction it would go. I wasn't working full time (as I had been for years) and started going to a life drawing weekly session and BOOM! My work took a completely unexpected veer towards figurative art and now I'm happily moving in that direction. In fact I've gotten busy and have created a very inspiring figurative art site and blog http://figurativeartists.blogspot.com/. I hope you'll check it out and pass it along to others. It fits right in with the SOFA group you mentioned. Good luck.
Hey, thanks Paula! Ideas aren't too difficult to come by. My brain swims just like yours. Perhaps, I should have said motivation rather than inspiration. When I started out I was really into figurative art, and I keep coming back to it. There's something so intriguing about the human form, don't you agree? I think it must be the movement that you can create – the innumberable positions, lines, expressions. I'm sure I'll get back on the right track. I'm just having a bit of a blip right now. All other things in my life are conspiring against me! Thank you for the link to your site. I'll be sure to check it out and pass it on. I appreciate you stopping by.