“As artists, we must learn to be self nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them –
to restock the trout pond, so to speak.”
-Julia Cameron
My brushes are resting. It is the time of year I think we all naturally take inventory of many things. A time to reflect on the days gone by and look forward to the coming year. To count our blessings, to celebrate the season, to work through the successes and the failures we have experienced - a time to reflect on many things. I missed being in the studio working and I told myself I would get back in this week - thinking I could squeeze out a few solid days of painting - but the focus is just not there. I need to recognize that my muse, having a mind of her own, has gone on vacation. I thought about Robert Genn’s insightful quote, “Never forget that the nurturing and preservation of your own muse is job one. Lose it and you may be losing a great deal.” Self nourishment of the mind, the body, and all the creative resources is so important. It is an emotionally packed time of year and sometimes it is best to just step back and reflect. To enjoy family and friends, count my blessings, to make cookies, to spend time with all the important people in my life, to remember those who have gone on, to celebrate the season and in doing that, “restock the trout pond, so to speak”.
Wishing you Peace, Joy and Inspiration now and in the coming New Year!
“Often the Muse will not respond to direct and logical requests.
She must be lured in with the playful and gentle.”
-Jill Badonsky
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Enjoyed your post - been there many times too. At the momentI have many paintings on the go but undecided on how to finish them…
I’m working on a commission half-heartedly. I’m far away from family this Christmas and feeling it.
Many thanks for sharing and articulating these wise observations - your gentle acknowledgement and acceptance of this natural and necessary flow of life has helped and inspired me to accept my enforced inactivity (after surgery) as a necessary restoring and replenishing of the body and the spirit! You’ve inspired an entry in my own blog too - . Thanks again!
I have been going through the same thing too, and it is heartening to hear of others taking that time to rest and reflect. I am also in the process of purging my studio and office- cleaning and organizing, so that I can start the new year fresh.
Thank you all for taking the time to comment!
Diane, I wish you comfort - it must be so hard to be far from family right now.
Ashley, I am sure your work will guide you back with time.
Bridgette, I agree, it is heartening to share our experiences - time to rest and reflect is so important. I know I tend to forget just how important it really is!
Alison, thank you for sharing your thoughts on your recovery and for mentioning this post on your own blog. I look forward to greeting the new year with renewed energy and wish you all the same!
Check out Alison’s blog here: http://alison-dunlop.posterous.com/my-studio-waits-patient-ly
-Peace.
Your work is wonderful…. thanks for sharing it online so more people can participate in it and get inspired from it.
I love my brushes, too, and have blogged about them. Some are more than three decades old… like good friends.
Best to you in 2010.
thanks for sharing. I’ve been beating myself up for a year due to a move keeping me out of my studio as much as I would like.
For sure this and that time will help to replenish the inspiration my muse so needs.