leaning into the lull

Photo from several months ago of me snuggling my pug puppy nephew, Oliver.

 

I had great aspirations for the collage to art quilt project. I was pumped and I got my test prints and then it happened….

The art slump showed up.

I posted on facebook about this, how I feel artistically stuck and unable to get into anything even resembling a groove and there was a chorus of “me too” comments. One commented even called it “pandemic paralysis”. That feels like an accurate description.

I hate everything I’m making right now. This isn’t the first time I’ve gone through this kind of phase. I want to work. I want to be creative. But I am just not moving to do the work or I hate what I’ve managed to produce.

So. Here’s my plan. I’m going to put away all my art supplies for now. Clear the decks so I don’t have to look at the failed attempts and I don’t feel the pressure of “I should make something” when I see a thread or fabric out that is just the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.

I’m going to watch video classes on Skillshare (just want to spend time learning art stuff without the commitment of actually having to MAKE something) and I’m going to watch terrible horror movies and read and finish up my organizing and rearranging. I need Art Brain to be busy but I don’t need her to feel pressured to create when we are just plain tired and worn out. There’s really no other way to put it. This year has been brutal and we are just going to use the rest of it to make our immediate environment into the Lynn Land we’ve been dreaming of for a bit.

If you are feeling the same, I hope you will embrace the lull with me. Be kind to your artist self and just let yourself be for a while.

Love you all and to all my American friends – Happy Thanksgiving!