Making art when life is a struggle ...
I have to be honest. Life has been a little challenging over the last few years. My family and I have been dealing with a bunch of tough stuff and now, on top of everything else, someone very close to me is battling illness.
It's challenging, but these are exactly the times that my art practice saves me. I can always find solace in the scratch of a pencil or the soft movement of a paint brush. Sometimes making art is a simple distraction; at other times, it actually helps me understand and process my emotions.
And yet I see many people respond to bad news by giving up their creative practice. I do understand this. First, when we are feeling sad, or angry, or deeply depressed, it is hard to find the motivation to take action. It feels so much easier to just lie on the couch and do nothing.
But I think there's something deeper going on. Tragedy changes us. Quite literally, we become different people. If our old self started a series of paintings when things were good, those paintings will feel irrelevant to our new tragedy-informed self. The colours and marks and shapes that once brought us joy can suddenly feel foreign. And they are foreign. That was a different time and a different you.
But I think it's important, in the midst of struggle, to remind ourselves of the power of artistic expression.
Art isn't just about creating something beautiful; it's about capturing our truth, our emotions, and our experiences. When words fail us, art becomes our voice. It lets us express the depths of our feelings, offering solace, healing, and a sense of purpose.
So, how can we reignite our artistic spirits and reconnect with our creativity, even when life feels heavy?
Drop what you were doing if it no longer resonates. Physically move those paintings out of sight if that's possible. They are not serving you anymore. You may want to return to them in the future and that's fine, but for now they need to go.
Accept that for a time, you won't be making anything worth showing or selling. Your aim now is to heal not to be productive (and by the way, with this mindset, you might make some amazing things that do end up selling, but that should not be the goal).
Embrace Your Emotions: Allow yourself to feel and acknowledge your emotions. Don't be afraid to express them through your art. Your creations can become a powerful outlet for healing and self-expression.
Explore the Unexplored: Step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Experiment with different styles, subjects, or mediums. Sometimes, breaking away from the familiar can reignite your passion and open up new artistic possibilities.
Take Care of Yourself: Remember to prioritize self-care. Engage in activities that bring you joy and rejuvenate your creative spirit. Surround yourself with an environment that fosters creativity and gives you the space to breathe.
Start Small: Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Start with baby steps. Dedicate short bursts of time to your art, even if it's just a doodle or a quick sketch. Allow yourself to create without judgment or expectation.
I'm currently reading a great book called "Your Brain on Art" which has inspired me to create a new masterclass for Art Tribe. The class is called "The 20-Minute Art Practice" and it's about how just 20 minutes of art a day can improve your physical and mental health in remarkable ways.
It turns out that art changes us on a cellular level. It also rewires our brains. The impact of art-making can be clearly seen on scans and in the behaviour of human cells.
What this means in layman's terms is that our creativity is our superpower. It not only provides a refuge - it also allows us to transmute our pain into something positive.
If you are currently going through a tough time, I get it. I really do. I know how heavy your body feels and how long the walk to your workspace feels. I can't take that away. But I can tell you that you don't have to let that heaviness stop you from creating. Within you lies an artist who has the strength to transform pain into something wonderful. Embrace your art as a source of healing and let it guide you through these challenging times.
This might look like a simple daily line drawing, a collage made out of scrap paper, or a mosaic made out of broken plates. It doesn't have to bear any relation to your "normal" art. The product is not the point. The objective is to improve your health and what you make is simply a by-product of the process you choose.
When times get tough, we often put ourselves last. How about giving yourself just 20 minutes a day that are just for you and your well-being? I promise you'll thank me.