Recently in recovery Category

I wanted to take a continuing studies class at MCAD this fall, something like print making or the like.  Sadly the idea came to me to late and registration for fall was closed so I think I will start going to the open drawing co-op that they hold on Mondays.  I think it will be good to start to draw from life every week and redevelop some of those skills that I know have gotten rusty.  It is on Monday nights and is open to the public but it has no "instruction" however there is a faculty member on site to help pose the model and set time frames and stuff.  

This weekend I will buy a new news print sketch pad for the gesture drawings and a heavier sketch pad for longer poses.  I should also get a few different types of charcoal sticks and some pastels to experiment a little too! 

Not sure if there will be a major goal in mind for the co-op besides going out, drawing on a regular basis, improving skills and having fun.  What more is there at the moment?  It will help get back into a working mind set for this winter when I will pick up a formal class.

The last few years have been a major challenge for me, and for one I don't want to go through it again as I had done.  It was riff with frustration, sadness, grief and what I will call depression even though it was something a bit different from that.  This time period I became content with not working and thinking about my life's work, mainly art and conceptualism which makes me feel empty inside.  Of course I had spits of creativeness here and there and I tried to get back on track several times, I just couldn't hold on at those times.  With some focus, and some effort I am planning on rising out of the ashes and as a phoenix fly with fire and passion to new opportunities. 

Some things that brought me down that I should have used my art for recently was the lose of my employment, the illness and final passing of my beloved father (I did a little bit but not as much as I should have), going out and drinking to much, lack of motivation, and letting others get in the way of what I need to do for myself.

Some things I am going to do, write every day, start up an new figure drawing group, set up a food blog, blog here more and finish updating this site, oh and MAKE MORE ART...

I have been meaning to comment on our last question (and get a new on out) but it has been way to nice out for me to stay focused on anything at all.  So here it goes, I really do not believe in the proverbial "artist block" for me it is distractions of life, depression and/or dealing with other people's stuff that is gets in my way or creative pursuits.  Some times it is sheer laziness.  I have the desire but I can not get the will power to get off my butt to do the work.  With in the last year or so, I have been suffering form this.

I am going to call the "block" an artistic shutdown, that I feel I am suffering is a multi tiered event.  The losing of my job over a year ago, pushed me into a bit of a depression and complacency that got the ball rolling.  My girl then had something bad happen to her which took a lot of my time to resolve.  Then my dad got gravely ill, I spent the better part of four months visiting him most every day until he passed this fall.  All which added to the depression and zapped a lot of my drive to do anything and keep those creative juices flowing. 

Normally to get around it, I would pick up pen and paper and just do, even if it is just scribbling in note book or what have you.  However I keel that this has gotten to bad, so a am also working my way through the "artist's way" by Julia Cameron.  The author suggests that it is often self doubt, that will cause blocks especially when it come to your inner voice telling you that you are no good or you will go crazy if you are an artist.  I have never felt like that or really care to get into that state of mind.  I still like some of the stuff she says about feeding your artist and feeding the creative well that will help get you motivated. 

Some things that I am doing to help my creative self is by writing every morning and doing something for my creative self every week. 

I am going to start blogging regularly about said stuff starting this week. Feel free to keep up with me on this journey.

Doug