Swish

As last year was coming to a close, I started to wind down work-related things, thinking as soon as January 1 hit, I would be ready to start back at it. It's January 13 and I'm still only thinking about it, but hopefully all this thinking will be beneficial in the long run.

I always hear artists talk about how they can't make anything unless they're in the right frame of mind or mood.

I just need to get into the right head space. (Don't ever say that to me, by the way).

I agree creativity can't be forced, but there are so many things to be doing in the meantime to help creativity along. That whole list makes creating artwork possible. 

If I'm not making a painting, there are always emails to write, social media updates to post, phone calls to make, errands to run, websites to update, galleries to research. I have to be careful, though, because I have an addiction to the administrative side of being an artist. Sometimes I run around all day, for days, and forget that the ultimate goal is to be in my studio making artwork. I've learned how to procrastinate from the very thing I've been fighting for so long to do. 

2013 was a great year, not so much because it was wonderful and fun (which it was many times) but because it was challenging and I learned things that are invaluable to me. 

It wasn't too shocking when December hit that my brain said No More, and I gladly went into creative hibernation.

The New Year is quickly waving goodbye, however, and I am still in transition. So instead of being in my studio, I'm sitting down to think, plan, and organize- a lot. My hope is two-fold: to gain more moments this year where I'm not working and also to create more space for all-consuming productivity. 

These times of silence make me think back to when I played basketball in middle school. My coach made us sit in the middle of the court during practice and think about sinking free throw after free throw. Honestly, I can't remember if it helped and I know I sat the bench most of that season.

But I get it now. Let's play some b-ball, y'all. Swish.