I kind of call the abstinence idea 'the elastic band' strategy. As you start to miss your art, you feel like your need to create feels like an elastic band stretched to it's maximum limit, and ready to ping forward any second. Then you have to go back to it. I find doing a monotonous admin job makes me yearn to create too.
Thank you for the thoughtful and helpful advice! I go through long periods of not doing any art and then when I want to start a project after a break, it's often difficult, I think because of putting too much pressure on myself to make something "good." What helps is anything that eases that pressure - whether it's starting with a "crappy" sketch, or reminding myself that it doesn't need to come out good. But oh, sometimes it can be hard! So I appreciate hearing that I'm not the only one who benefits from a break sometimes, instead of just trying to push through. Thank you for sharing!
Hi there, Ellen! I accidentally stumbled upon your YT channel and so glad I did! Your art and your videos are great, but this one struck a chord. I am a watercolor artist and teacher and well aware of that dreaded artist affliction, and suffer from it more then I like to admit. But like you mentioned, its not the same as sitting down and saying okay, I’m all ready to paint but have no idea what to paint. For me, its a very real fear that gripes me.....its disabling. Art has always been an integral part of my life......my heart and soul, so when this fear gripes me, its truly frightening and the feeling of inadequacy is overwhelming. It never made sense to me that I could fear what I loved doing most, but after many years, something finally dawned on me........it was my need for perfection. Perfectionism made me a very detail oriented artist and it took me twelve years to learn to loosen up! Perfectionism put a massive burden on me! Anyway, I did try shutting my studio door and not entering for a time, but for me.....found it frustrating and then too difficult to get back on track. What I did discover though, was to put all thoughts of “painting” out of my mind and to replace it with thoughts of “play”. I play with different mediums and other supplies I don’t ordinarily use and do silly experiments, etc......and simply play like a child! After several days “playing”, my head is exploding with inspiration and new ideas, and feel excited and refreshed with a renewed sense of freedom. I often use this play method to keep the fear at bay and to keep my artistic mind open and fresh. Happy 2018 to you, Ellen!
Bette Orr Watercolors Thank you so much for your wonderful comment here! You are spot on and the message is so important, I pinned your comment to the top of this thread so others can easily see it. Fear can be paralyzing and I love your idea of just playing. Perfectionism is something all artists can relate to on some level and if we aren't careful, it can infect our creativity. Thank you again!
I love this video and I love the comments because I am suffering from this very thing even though I am very new to the world of painting. I discovered that I have a talent or gift for painting when I took a “just for fun” class at my church from one of its members. To make a very long story short, after creating a new studio and spending a fortune on oils, etc. my husband really wants me to spend as much time as possible on painting. He is very supportive but also very openly critical with his opinions regarding my work. My fear of his feedback has been hugely crippling. It seems like every time I try to paint I end up making my painting worse and worse. It’s not a fun process, and not an enjoyable or rewarding experience. I know being an artist is hard work, but I feel like I’m sabotaging myself before I even get out of the gate. I think that because I care so much about my husbands opinion of my art, it’s causing a mindset of fear that is disabling my abilities. But I can’t seem to get past it. I really have no idea how to address this strange situation other than to tell my husband that he can’t look at my paintings until they’re completely finished. I feel so much pressure to succeed.
Julie Knudsen That sounds rough, I feel you, as they say! Pressure! I would, yeah, just not let him see the artwork. Maybe ever, ha ha! Too bad when money gets tangled up with art. Hm, maybe you can have a talk with him, just tell him how his criticism is making you feel. Ask an advice columnist or relationship expert. Also maybe work toward more independence, if your mate is making it all about the money. Bless you, take care of yourself and good luck. I haven't much useful to say. Maybe you jumped in too fast and doing simpler projects would be fun: sketching outdoors (away from hubby!) or with a group. You could repurpose the studio, at least in part, for awhile. Or, just push through or use other advice posted here. I actually couldn't listen to the whole video above as I feel UA-cam is a vice that harms productivity. She was talking so much. But maybe her ideas are helpful, whatever they are. Good music can be very inspiring, as well as nature, children or whatever you love. Museums too, and classes. You could even teach, eventually! Good luck.
Julie Knudsen Put a blank canvas in front of him and see what he can do with it. I find that other artists tend to give positive and constructive feedback, rather than harsh criticism. You need more than just supplies; you need the freedom to explore your creativity without battling with what someone else thinks. See if you can meet regularly with a couple of those artist friends to work on the same still life set up over a few sessions. Discuss with them what works or what needs improvement, but most of all, enjoy working alongside likeminded people.
Your videos are so good!! I do think that many times frustration and artist block happens when we're tired and need a break. I would have never thought of using this method of storing everything away! It's like you're storing a part of yourself away! Very interesting approach. Thank you for another grest video.
Erika Lancaster thank you for your comment and contributing to this topic 😊. I fully admit, when I was asked to think about removing every aspect of my art for a month it scared the heck out of me. My first thought was, 'who will I be if I don't have this?' But after I put everything away and sat with that thought for a while I realized that my whole problem was actually, 'if this painting doesn’t turn out, who will I be?' I was unconsciously putting WAY too much pressure on myself and that step back put me back into the right frame of mind.
I really relate to this video. I think sometimes being afraid to start or progress with an artwork is as much about self esteem as it is about the art. I graduated in illustration in 1988 and have never managed to make my living from my creative work even though it’s always been an immense part of my life and part of my identity. This is part of the ‘baggage’ that holds me back these days, when I get blocked in the way you describe. Very difficult to break out of this negative way of thinking. Thank you for sharing this.
Kay Fletcher Thank you for your comment here. It’s so important to remember that everyone feels like this from time to time no matter how successful he or she is in their field. I have a tendency to put those whom I feel are more talented than I up on a pedestal when in reality they are no different than anyone else. They suffer from struggles just like we do.
What excellent advice. I sometimes put a piece in the trash. I work on it and when I see that nothing that I'm doing is progress, I throw it away. It's quite liberating.
I'm so glad you've found something that works well for you! I've done that myself, but I'm afraid I'm a bit more stubborn and drag out the process until I'm quite frustrated - then it goes into the trash! lol
Yes, she looks adorable. But it's funny to me to see artists look artificial, I'm used to them not being too glamorous, the two don't seem to mix. But that was before UA-cam, so I dunno. If you're busy trying to be a UA-cam star, that leaves less time for art. But probably I'm off base.
Art has been a lifelong passion of mine, since I was old enough to hold a crayon. :-) But I have taken breaks from my art, sometimes for months, even years. This especiallyhappens if I've had a bad experience of rejection of my art for any reason or frustration about it. Or sometimes life just takes you in a different direction for a while. However, I believe that if you have an artist's soul, if art is a part of you , it always calls you back.
You said this perfectly, Gloria - and I completely agree. I think that the fear of trying this method (at least for me, initially) was that I was afraid of the 'what ifs' like, what if I never pick it back up again? But you're right - if you need art like you need to breathe, it will always call you back. Thank you for your comment here.
First off... I love your videos!! They are super helpful!! I feel immersing yourself in your artwork when you really stuck (emotionally stuck), would make things worse... it has for me in my writing and lesson learned there - I try not to repeat it in my artwork. As a creative mind type of people we all are, I make myself work on another creative outlet before I get too out of sorts! Dancing is a terrific way of resourcefully using rhythm - while pumping your adrenaline in an creative way!! Plus, it makes you happy and rejuvenated!!
PJ Martin thank you for your comment! Dancing is certainly another creative outlet and one that can easily distract the mind. I’m glad you find it so helpful for you! 😊
I put my art away for a year and half and am now going back to it. I had to so I could breath and I found my way back to it. My lack of success and direction was suffocating me at the time.
What great advice, Ellen! I recently had an experience with a commission. I simply could not paint this dog! So I did what you mentioned, I pushed on...I decided to paint this dog multiple times in various media. I think I painted him 7 or 8 times. But the last one was the charm! It flowed out of me and became one of my favorite paintings. The owners loved it! But after months of one commission after the next I was burned out creatively and felt I 'could not paint' anymore! So I am doing what your therapist suggested, though it has not been conscious until I saw your video. I have been doing other things to take care of myself and I'm finally feeling ready to paint again. Happy New Year and thank you for your wonderful paintings and videos!
Congratulations , that,s great , and the Great Masters ,Monet often painted the same scene many times at various times of the day ,the light is different , changing as the Sun moves , best to you !
Going to try this. It’s been about a year since I’ve created anything. It feels absolutely awful and everyday I go to bed so unsatisfied yet so inspired and ambitious.
Great advice. I do this occasionally. I’ll literally take a week off and don’t allow myself to paint (even if I want to!) does you good to take a break and come back fresh and eager! 👍
I crochet purses and jewelry. When I tire of one, I try the other. My jewelry is extensive with necklaces and matching bracelets, cuff bracelets, button bracelets and earrings. Single thread and double thread as well as Spring and Fall colors. There's never a lack of ideas jumping from one collection to the other until each collection is complete for the next year. I rarely repeat, but still have 10 years of records showing what I did sell, which I could always return to if needed. I just keep advancing daily by adding and deleting from two dozen pages of notes that I keep on a clipboard.
Thank you for sharing this! I know i'm late to this video but I'm going through this same thing right now and feel like i've been pushing through it for a few months now, the idea of putting everything aside for a little while really feels like a relief so I'm definitely gonna try that.
There's something to what you're saying... I've made 100% of my income from sculpture sales since 1983. This summer, I quit doing sculpture for 3 months to get some home improvements done - and it refreshed me to get away from it for a while!
@@EllenBrennemanStudio ...and I have finished walls, tile floor, and trim to show for the time away... building your own home while living in it is for the birds, (liked and subscribed)
Wow Ellen, I'm so grateful for this video! Perfect timing! Thank you SO much, I've been strugling big time the last couple of months and this was the message I needed! You're wonderful! :0)
Thank you for your comment here, and I'm very happy to know that you have found this technique helpful as well. It goes against everything we think we should do in this situation, so having enough insight to follow through with this method is very good!
Hi Ellen, Your words ring of truth and wisdom. Doubt seems to be a tragic flaw we humans have, but still we crave to try and understand ourselves, thus allowing our passions to flourish. I try hard not to compare myself and my art to others. It's difficult with so much creativity out there. Your suggestion of stepping back is a great one, it gives perspective that we miss, perhaps because we are much too close to see the forest through the trees! Time has a way of correcting and re-calibrating our visions! Thanks for sharing your story 😁
Thankyou for dealing with this topic. I find that the little voice in my head is easy to take notice of. You have to really watch that inner critic which can stifle a work before it is finished and often before it is started. Try to concentrate on the fact that you are just being a channel for Creation and that really what you create is just a way of learning. With practice you can improve..but dont listen to all those comments and try to clear your mind and ease yourself into that Space. We all know that space where for example if someone else talks you cannot concentrate on answering...you are in The Zone, and you dont want to be pulled out of there.
I get this problem too but another part of it is that I usually have to save up for art supplies here and there. For example, about six months ago I saved up to order 3 20x20 canvases (it was a discount at 3). It took me 4 months to even open the first canvas because I was so afraid to mess it up. There's still one in the box now. Logically I know that leaving it there is just a complete waste but logic doesn't help.
I sympathize with your situation. Watercolor paper is like that for me. Once I begin painting there is no turning back and the heavier weight sheets are so expensive! Can you gesso over your canvases if you don't like how your painting is turning out? I'm assuming you work in a medium where you can't easily do that 😕
Ellen Brenneman Studio, it depends on what kind of a piece I was working on. I work in acrylics. If I'm doing something with thin layers then yes, gesso is a great idea (and thank you for that). If I'm doing an abstract piece I prefer to use heavy texture so gesso wouldn't work as well, though I have thought about seeing if I can scrape off the texture.
Thank you so much Ellen, it's been 2 years that I don't feel joy while drawing or sculpting and it was worrying me, I knew that I needed a break, but felt that I would "abandon" a part of myself by taking it, as if I was dropping art, 2 years ago I got depressed because of everyone teling me that art wasn't a lucrative industry, that I should find something more secure ( I was 18 by the time) and I started feeling really bad because, although I felt motivated by looking at other artists work, when it came to draw something, I didn't feel any joy in doing so. Your video gave me a sense of relief, this month I will follow your advice and stop thinking about it for a while, focusing on my mental and physical health.
Good, I'm glad to read that you are ready to take that burden off yourself. I completely get it; as artists, creating is so much a part of us it's as though we'll stop breathing if we even 'think' of walking away. Once I released myself from that fear, it truly was like a weight had been lifted off. To have that space all to myself really helped my mental health. Wishing you the best!
Elton John once said, "If I didn't get away from it, I would probably go insane." Now I just paint when the "bug" hits me. Same with playing the sax. Just picked it up today after it sitting in the case for 3 months. Now that felt better!
Food for thought. Thank you for sharing your very personal story. My only solution has been pushing forward. I found that doing a cookie cutter approach of doing a piece as someone else had done on UA-cam. Something that I liked, but really was not my style. After doing that for awhile, my style started covering up the rigid “stuff” that was there, or suggested. Overnight, I went from following, to watching for inspiration: my twist on what they did, an offshoot of what was done ...by doing it with my painted papers and elements that I had previously made instead of store bought items, going with a color scheme that was close to what was used/ or totally different and play with a media or mediums that I was drawn to or enjoyed. Now many friendships have been developed with artist that are sharing their approach, style, and background; so I create while my friends are creating, and jot down thought or thought that came up as I listened to what they were doing. Sometimes it is background noise that I am not listening too, so I sit back/ enjoy the presentation/ and look for whatever inspiration comes to mind. As I jot those bits down in comments, I find a more creative approach that resonated with me voicing its concept as jotting done/sketching the basics. Now I have, a notebook of backgrounds to break up the paper and get moving, jot sequels. Flip through a Magazines, and just cut out faces that sing to me...a story book comes together as color/ as sketch. So I now have these not books to grab and flip through, as well as saved videos that I want to play around with the basic concept. It is working for me. ...the adventure continues, and the binds of friendship strengthen.
It sounds like you have really found your rhythm for being able to tune out negative distraction which goes to show what beautiful things can happen when all of that falls away. You're left creating for the joy of it and that's what it's all about :) Thanks for contributing to the conversation!
Thanks for another great video, Ellen! Fear of creating is probably way more common among artists than most people realize. As a recovering procrastinator, I can relate to this problem. Fear & perfectionism is what lies at the root of procrastination (for me, anyway). I’ve tried the same technique you have, and put all my stuff away, but it doesn’t work for me, ‘cause I end up never pulling any of it back out for ages! Everyone is different, though, so I do think it’s a method that would work for many other artists. What’s helped me most are: 1. Asking God to walk me through the process in baby steps, and leaning on Him for courage, 2. Trying to get into the same headspace I was in when I’d create as a child, with no pressure or expectations, and just do it for the fun of it, and 3. Tell myself that I don’t ever have to show the finished piece to anybody if I don’t want to. I still deal with fear and procrastination, but it’s nowhere near as bad as it once was. It took a long time to figure out what the best methods are for me to overcome it.
I enjoyed your story. It helped me see I'm on the right track but...I have my supplies put away. I went to art school/university and am having a hard time even enjoying the creative process. I think art school killed my creativity. I take out supplies and try but end up putting it back in boxes to get it out of my sight. Then I feel guilty and sometimes cry because I can't get my art groove back. Each time I take it all out, I tell myself, 'This time I will be able to do it.' Sadly, the longest I lasted was 3 weeks. I graduated in 2009 and still don't have the desire but the need is still with me. Or am I wishing the need was there and it's time to drop it and move on completely?
Hello Ellen, your Videos certainly help a lot even for me, I,m a potter and have had some ups and downs , I sold my work at my Mother,s Craft and Gift shop , which is closed now many years . I had to stop making for 10 years , a long time as I moved to another city, and didn,t have my studio with me it was at my family home . Then I took a few courses to have access to a wheel , that was a big help to get back into pottery. But I was not selling ,so I couldn,t afford the course . Today I have my wheel and Kiln where I live , yeaaa, but those years of stopping did take a toll . I have a big blockage and find myself stopping for weeks . As you know, making the work is just part of it all, so your videos ,inspire me and I like to remember my Successes , all the pots I sold -- I sold all my work eventually to people who are enjoying it ! I need to focus on all the success and build on that, to improve my confidence and motivation . I hope you are not stopping making more videos ,you are helping people more than you know, so keep going . When I wasn,t doing pottery I took a few Art classes , perpetual student that I am, painting Watercolor on Arches paper , never Yugo paper so your instruction is very helpful to me . Watercolor is not easy for me, so I make some abstract greeting cards to loosen up.--- Sorry you have here a whole Lifetime of my Art and pottery making in one post , just to say , Thank you Ellen, you work is super , I,m going to check out your Prints for Sale ,Thank you , Philip
Thank you for your comment! I've taken throwing classes and it is such a challenging skill so I admire ceramics artists such as yourself. How wonderful that you now have your own kiln! 😃 Best of luck to you, Philip!
For me i keep making art hating it then feel like i can’t sketch then lineart then do anything. People would say make joke art but that wouldn’t work because i would need it to be perfect and i don’t know to do that. I have my standards too high and i can’t bring them back down i really don’t understand it i want to draw but when i do it makes me feel like shit.. hhh :((
Incredible timing. Wow. You are just so perceptive and willing to take great risks and this one ...with your therapist's suggestion...was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for putting this out there. The way I've experienced this kind of artistic cleansing via absence, has been with my 25 plus years as a performing clown magician...as I recently moved from The Bay Area to Seattle, I experienced a much-needed semi-sabbatical of sorts since I'm the new kid on the block up here and not many know me yet. But I felt that relief you felt from the absence and now, months later, even though I've still done some shows here and there, I relish every show now and realized how much I missed the bliss of performing, hearing belly laughs and just being lit up by joy. Ah, but with this nascent supplemental vocation as a painter...3 years into it...boy, I felt like I was becoming stuck in a rut, the grind of starting to turn it into a business especially as I've been quite successful at it. But, I feel like I want to grow more in my craft, not be pressured to put out work so as to pay bills, etc. I have felt like I needed this absence, this cleansing with art right now. And so, I've been basically easing up on the gas pedal, slowing down, balancing more (like how you spoke of these issues in the 4 Cons) and already I'm feeling better about painting. However, I do feel like I need to take it a step further and really take a big break from it. I'm going to listen within and see if this suggestion of a one month or maybe even 2 week absence...with everything put away...isn't just what I could use right now. Thank you. I do know that when I've finished a big outpouring of pieces, I have actually intuitively put all my supplies away, and stopped. Sometimes for days. Those were very helpful and I've forgotten that I used to do that in my first two years of painting. Hmm...such great food for thought here. Thank you. Reminds me of the Medieval mystics who spoke of the "dark night of the soul" when nothing that usually inspires you or gives you joy or pleasure...is able to do so. They would say this was to cleanse our attachments and be renewed. So, I think this is kind of what this absence period is like. Cheers!
Dave, thank you for your kind message. I hope your break proves to be exactly what you need. The good thing about art is that it will always be there waiting for you when you're ready to come back to it. Keep me posted on how it goes!
Thanks so much for doing this video Ellen. Over the last 2 years I bought so much art supplies in an attempt to start my art journey. I printed out so many pictures, traced many but never started because I was scared of failing and making mistakes. 6 days ago I made the decision to just start something in coloured pencil and so far I've made so many mistakes but I've managed to push through these mistakes and carry on. I hope I can continue doing this throughout the year and make some progress. Thanks so much for your lovely videos, I really admire your art and technique but not brave enough to try it out yet :-D May you have a wonderful 2018 :-)
Landi Le Roux thank you so much for your kind comment, and I’m glad you were able to work through your fear! The more you do it the easier it will become, as long as it excites you! Just remember that mistakes are the only way we learn. They may seem like a failure but truthfully, they are such an important learning tool. All my best to you for a creative 2018!
I’m glad this worked for you. It hasn’t for me. My family went through a traumatic event earlier this year and I haven’t written anything for six months. I have no desire to write anymore, and the very word has become synonymous with hard work and no reward. Anhedonia has set in and I have just enough energy to get though the work day. Do I miss it? Yes, but I don’t think it’s likely I’ll pick up a pen anytime soon. Same reason I don’t play video games any more: no pleasure.
I'm sorry to read that you've had a traumatic experience. I don't want to overstep my bounds, but perhaps your priorities have shifted, such as navigating a path to some sort of healing. I guess what I'm saying is, if you're not writing, maybe you're meant to do more important things right now, like taking care of yourself, your family, etc. If you miss it, that's a good sign.
Hi Ellen, I like all your videos, I like your honesty, I like that you open that you went to therapist, show how mess your studio (oops), thank you, you are really help
Thank you for this video, Ellen! I can totally relate! I just uploaded a video on my channel about a similar topic "When You Don't Feel Like Creating". I really appreciate hearing your perspective.
Great advice! Sometime it's just good to start from a fresh clear mindset again to put things in perspective. Reminds me of an animation called Kiki Delivery Service when they try to find their inspiration again. Thanks again :)
Hello, great video. And so timely for me. It came on after I watched something else. To be honest I didn't seek you out. Anyways...the other day I was rejected for the very first art competition that I have ever entered. I see myself as an artist, to the core, it is my identity, and I had never had anything rejected. I was the child genius at school, the kid everyone thought of when they thought of someone who was good at art (I am scoffing at this as I write, not bragging, but you get my drift). At art school and any and all my teachers throughout my life have just stood by and watched silently as I worked. I AM an artist. Today, after this first and only rejection, which hurt my poor little ego so badly, I decided to put the paints and canvasses away so I cannot see them, to work out my next steps. There is a style that I do very well which is actually so easy it now bores me. I think when I start painting again it will be that type of mixed media work that I have done for years, and it is that work that I will use to edge into the market. Thank you for confirming the idea of stepping away when negativity strikes is a good one. I like your videos a lot. Thank you.
Hmmmph Hey, don't be so reactive to one little rejection! You're probably on to something about expanding your style, maybe: perhaps they sensed you were just coasting or bored. If your ego is that fragile, you'll never make it in the real art world. Your first rejection shouldn't make you want to quit. Try to learn from it and also keep trying, it's only one rebuff, it could mean anything or nothing! Also, if you're doing art Only for the praise from others, it's bound not to last. You have to know it's good: believe!
Dear Ellen! I loved this video and your channel anyways! 😍👍 I am in a similar situation right now,but with me it is different. I wanted to paint an acrylic painting of my two beloved cats that had to cross the rainbow bridge. I put all my stuff together, made research on the fur types I needed and wrote everything down, same with how to paint a realistic cats eye, I have the pictures I wanna use printed out twice one in black and white and the other one in color. I even had traced them on to my canvas and had a perfect plan how I wanted everything,the background and so on. I thought now that I have two "new" adorable kittys I should be able to paint it. I was totally wrong! Everytime I put the canvas with their pictures on it out and wanted to start painting, I could not! I was like frozen and I stared at the canvas and the canvas right back at me. By now I have already painted over the canvas with their pictures on it. I do not understand this,dear Ellen. I normally have no problem at all giving me challenges all the time that are over my skill level, I just do it and very often I surprised myself on how well I did on a challenge I gave me! But with this painting??? I have no idea what the heck is wrong with me! It makes me very sad, cause I really want to paint this Memory painting of my lost furry heros! I am so scared of messing this special painting to me up, that I cannot even start or even sometimes take a breath. Have you an advice for me from your long artist carreer? Maybe you had an experience like I have now, had in the past or you know somebody who had this? I appreciate every single advice you can give me so,so much! Already thank you and keep going, I love your videos! Be blessed, dear Ellen and thank you again! Lots of Love from me, Manuela from Germany,to you dear Ellen 😍😍😍👍👍👍💐💐💐 Ps: I already tried to put the canvas with the pictures on of them out of my sight for a long time and it did not work for me.
I'm sorry to learn of the loss of your cats :( From reading your comment, it makes me wonder if you are having a difficult time beginning this painting because you are so emotionally involved. You are so connected to your beloved animals that you want to honor their memory in the best way possible. Because you miss them so much you want to make this painting as special as possible. This is a great deal of pressure you are putting on yourself. To me, it feels comparable to a surgeon who has to operate on someone she knows; too many emotions get in the way and it's easy to become paralyzed with fear over the thought of messing up. My only advice would be to give it more time. If you are still healing from the pain, you may need to grieve a bit more and only begin your painting when emotions are not so raw. If you feel enough time has passed and you still cannot begin your painting, it may help to completely remove your feelings about it and treat it like you are working on a painting for someone else's animals - just until you get going. Once you see them coming to life on the canvas you will automatically begin to reconnect with them. BEST of luck to you!!
Ellen Brenneman Studio Thank you so,so much Ellen for your advice! I appreciate it so much! You are totally right! I am still involved with my huge loss! They were my Babys and I want to paint them as good as I can! I will try your advice! Thank you again,so much! Be blessed! Love from me to you 😍😍😍
Thanks for sharing your interesting story and what you did and for your other great tips. I've been a professional artist for most of my life and have been blocked many times, but now that I'm 71 and have a mild form of MS with other related problems and had to go into the hospital for a couple of days, I find it harder than ever to get "back into my art"! I'm notorious for starting paintings and not finishing them! Self-sabotage. I recently started a painting, a really good one, almost finished a couple of months ago and haven't touched it in weeks. I find that I can get inspired esp from nature and the female form *took two years of life drawing in art school, but will I start a new painting and finish it, remains to be seen! I remind myself of the late great composer Franz Schubert and his "Unfinished Symphony" who died of venereal disease at age 31.I'm also a composer and finished many pieces for piano and a full length folk opera which was performed locally with a write up in the Boston Globe but started another rock opera putting the music to the poems of Poe which wasn't easy and after six songs, haven't finished that as well. Life gets in the way esp after raising three daughters and partially raising my oldest granddaughter because we lost her mom to coma and brain injury 15 years ago. Best of luck to all, I've put most of my art supplies away but not completely out of sight for fear again that "out of sight , out of mind" will work too well, forever!
Thank you for this: I struggle with this frequently, I think 'what's the point of art?' and 'I have to spend my limited energy on doing shopping, food, washing clothes, cut the awful garden here = art must come last' but then I'd never do any, and 'why bother when nobody buys them?' and 'everything I do isn't good enough at the moment/not as good as 2 years ago' plus for me with my brain injury & other injuries I have to cope with extreme fatigue and loads of pain, can't ever get comfortable. Plus mega stresses of dangerous & insecure housing, no income, no proper healthcare - I know even without these extra stresses I'd probably suffer from the same ar anxieties but I think (maybe I'm wrong?) that if I could sell some it would really encourage me. I've got several big canvases (one is 80 x 80 cms.) that still aren't quite finished - this one has been going on for several years now and they all glare at me and I'm so sick of them but have put so much time & effort in it'd be a shame to never finish them. So I start new things that I'm excited about, finish not all and so the unfinished pieces are piling up. I've had to move apartments many times since my serious accident (and no compensation/help) and some of my things have been in boxes since 2011, I wish I could have a real home where I could settle and that's adapted for my needs but you have to be rich to have that. I do what exhibitions I can but they wipe me out for ages after and due to my brain injury I can't sell online: too complicated and people who offer to help don't appear to be actually helping. But I muddle on the best I can and push myself daily as hard as I can, at the moment trying to do 'gentle' art just so I can achieve something. Thanks again, all the best to you.
And best to you as well, Jenny. Being a creative can be both a blessing and a curse at times. Thank you for being open and sharing your story here. Wishing you happy painting days ahead ✨🙏🏼
I feel like my studio space (group space) is putting that pressure on me. I sat there last night just feeling defeated. I couldnt clam. Couldnt think. Considering leaving it.
I live with my supercritical older sister. She and I are total opposites. I don't expect her to understand or like my art. She told me last night I needed to change my name because it looks ugly when I sign my artwork. Lol !!! Narcissist... She has caused me to get into major blocks, fear of failure, and depression. I am older now, but still have fearful blocks. The worst thing is that I used to do paintings she would like. What was I thinking??? I hated those paintings! She did too.😞 Now, when I get blocked I go easy on myself. I'll start by laying down my floor tarp. Then I'll pull out my paints and brushes. Then a fresh white canvas and just look at everything looking to formulate a painting in my mind. Weeks, or months later, my artwork will flow like crazy and I pretty much love it all! I learned to be patient and kind to myself, since few people in my family are. Hope this helps! Love, hugs and blessings!
My personal issue is my partner, they’ve caused me a lot of emotional trauma over the last two years and the last big fight just broke something inside me. I haven’t felt the same since and that’s made making art… it’s just impossible. There’s no “flowing well of inspiration” anymore, it’s just a bunch of anger and vindictive invasive thoughts, especially after the things I found on that phone of his. My sketchbook isn’t a safe place anymore and that used to be what I did, you know? He was being an ass, I’d draw. And draw. And draw. Now I have a specific trauma for the color purple because that’s the hair color of the wh@re I caught him interacting with. Purple used to be my favorite color now I feel physically nauseous when I see it. This has ruined my ability to make art and I don’t know how to start moving past it
I am incredibly sorry :( Initial trauma, which can easily turn into depression, is enough to drain anyone from wanting to create (I sympathize and can very much relate to parts of your story). Take time and be good to yourself; your paper and pencil will be waiting for you when that need feels therapeutic once again ❤
hi Ellen its amazing you sharre those experience already happened with me and i just remove all my stuffs and hidden for 4 week a while because all the art I ve done was not enought and not motivation to finish my painting or retouch could make worst..anyway . just real break and find another things or nothing ..going crare yourself better ..put you in a room and the real misses organic back you on track...well i discover you recentelly and even not liven in ameirica listen your clues here and i d love to speak about thxs mate
All the art creator has same problem what to paint or what to create it is not only for us but it happened in the history of art sometimes in the history of art some creation are repeated but in some kind of changes can be seen in their art and in the long term we can see it is a vast changes, I am giving some example like Titian or any other late painter, and the Picasso their subject matter is same like portrait they have copied from other artist but the presentation is different Picasso's thought about portrait is flat and single line eyes and mouth not realistic but like symbol of the part of the body he only change the expression the same thing of expression in old style but they are realistic in some cases realistic is also slightly different from other they can also able to paint realistic but they want to change in rude realistic they want to present something new in their own way.
Thank you for your videos! The first one I watched popped up in my suggested videos and I’m glad I watched and subscribed! One of the things that has helped me greatly with this problem is reading and doing the exercises in The Code to Joy. (George Pratt is one of the authors) one of the things it talks about is grounding and resetting our internal battery, which I used to think was just an “out there hippyish” bunch of stuff...LOL! Turns out it’s scientifically proven to be a true need in our human bodies! It might not always fix the problem totally but is needed anyway so can’t hurt. I need to read through that book again!😉
I just attempted to do a nice flower garden painting and I just couldn't do it. It sucks I hate it. I suck! So I'm just going to do an ugly one. I've lost my talent art was the only thing that made me happy 😭 I hope I can get it back.
Kate, don’t give up. I still have days even after all these years where I will create some thing and get so frustrated with it that I just want to cry. This summer I have really felt a bit lost with my artwork; you would think after all these years I wouldn’t feel that way but I still do sometimes. The thing to remember is that it is just a feeling, it is not an accurate description of the way things actually are. Ride through this moment and then, begin again. You can do this!
It's sad that so many of us have to deal with this type of thing at some point in our lives - many times for years. I would always browse art supply swap groups on FB for supplies; every little bit helped.
@@Gypsymumma90 Don,t give up ! and celebrate your successes no matter how small ! I am a potter ,sometimes I have to remind myself that some people have never even made 1 pot ! or Artwork , tell youself every day ,I am getting Better and better at my Art , the Mind responds to repetition so say it 4 or 5 times , it works for me , if you,re selling, I,m going to check out your pieces for sale , take care Self -Talk helps there is lots written about it
@@Gypsymumma90 Hi, in my experience , do stop thinking about lack or not having, that can block money from manifesting, better to distract, feel good ,remember happy times , things that excite you, please you, music is good too hope this helps :) thank you for your site WW !
I'm having second thoughts on whether I really have this problem or not. The piece I'm afraid of _is_ a commission and has a full body pose which I almost never draw. I'm disproportionately better @ draw faces and anything that's not the legs or feet really. But I wanted to change that and it's been so overwhelming. I wonder if locking it away will work for me...
I could just be in that motivation dip that comes along when learning any skill. (When your eyes have advanced farther then your abilities, your skill improves, but then your eyes do again and the cycle goes on.)
My art block has come from my dads health failing he has been battling cancer for the last 3 years , now hes been giving 6 months to a year to live and my health isnt the best either i have allot of spine problems , i try and try to get back into art and it just seems impossible to be creative when everything around me is negitive idk maybe somebody can give me words of inspiration
While I can't speak for everyone, I can say that when I am going through a particularly tough life experience, it helps me to confront painting from a different perspective than I normally would. Pulling out mediums that I normally would never reach for, I'll just sit and try to put a face to the way I'm feeling and use colors that express those emotions. Painting strictly for oneself can be very therapeutic and many times, the best pieces come from the darkest of places. Best wishes to you, and I'm sorry about your father :(
@@EllenBrennemanStudio thank you i appreciate your response ,i have forced myself to do a few differemt pieces of art in color pencil ,graphite pencil and ballpoint pen since staying w my dad supplies have to be at a minium ,i just try to keep on keeping on
I'm sorry I can't subscribe even though your art is wonderful. You come across as a negative person. Though I know you are trying to warn us, I would much rather hear words of encouragement.
I kind of call the abstinence idea 'the elastic band' strategy. As you start to miss your art, you feel like your need to create feels like an elastic band stretched to it's maximum limit, and ready to ping forward any second. Then you have to go back to it. I find doing a monotonous admin job makes me yearn to create too.
Sonia this is SUCH a perfect analogy, thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the thoughtful and helpful advice! I go through long periods of not doing any art and then when I want to start a project after a break, it's often difficult, I think because of putting too much pressure on myself to make something "good." What helps is anything that eases that pressure - whether it's starting with a "crappy" sketch, or reminding myself that it doesn't need to come out good. But oh, sometimes it can be hard! So I appreciate hearing that I'm not the only one who benefits from a break sometimes, instead of just trying to push through. Thank you for sharing!
you're very welcome - thank you for your comment!
Hi there, Ellen! I accidentally stumbled upon your YT channel and so glad I did! Your art and your videos are great, but this one struck a chord. I am a watercolor artist and teacher and well aware of that dreaded artist affliction, and suffer from it more then I like to admit. But like you mentioned, its not the same as sitting down and saying okay, I’m all ready to paint but have no idea what to paint. For me, its a very real fear that gripes me.....its disabling. Art has always been an integral part of my life......my heart and soul, so when this fear gripes me, its truly frightening and the feeling of inadequacy is overwhelming. It never made sense to me that I could fear what I loved doing most, but after many years, something finally dawned on me........it was my need for perfection. Perfectionism made me a very detail oriented artist and it took me twelve years to learn to loosen up! Perfectionism put a massive burden on me! Anyway, I did try shutting my studio door and not entering for a time, but for me.....found it frustrating and then too difficult to get back on track. What I did discover though, was to put all thoughts of “painting” out of my mind and to replace it with thoughts of “play”. I play with different mediums and other supplies I don’t ordinarily use and do silly experiments, etc......and simply play like a child! After several days “playing”, my head is exploding with inspiration and new ideas, and
feel excited and refreshed with a renewed sense of freedom. I often use this play method to keep the fear at bay and to keep my artistic mind open and fresh. Happy 2018 to you, Ellen!
Bette Orr Watercolors Thank you so much for your wonderful comment here! You are spot on and the message is so important, I pinned your comment to the top of this thread so others can easily see it. Fear can be paralyzing and I love your idea of just playing. Perfectionism is something all artists can relate to on some level and if we aren't careful, it can infect our creativity. Thank you again!
Ellen Brenneman Studio ❤️❤️❤️
I love this video and I love the comments because I am suffering from this very thing even though I am very new to the world of painting. I discovered that I have a talent or gift for painting when I took a “just for fun” class at my church from one of its members. To make a very long story short, after creating a new studio and spending a fortune on oils, etc. my husband really wants me to spend as much time as possible on painting. He is very supportive but also very openly critical with his opinions regarding my work. My fear of his feedback has been hugely crippling. It seems like every time I try to paint I end up making my painting worse and worse. It’s not a fun process, and not an enjoyable or rewarding experience. I know being an artist is hard work, but I feel like I’m sabotaging myself before I even get out of the gate. I think that because I care so much about my husbands opinion of my art, it’s causing a mindset of fear that is disabling my abilities. But I can’t seem to get past it. I really have no idea how to address this strange situation other than to tell my husband that he can’t look at my paintings until they’re completely finished. I feel so much pressure to succeed.
Julie Knudsen That sounds rough, I feel you, as they say! Pressure! I would, yeah, just not let him see the artwork. Maybe ever, ha ha! Too bad when money gets tangled up with art. Hm, maybe you can have a talk with him, just tell him how his criticism is making you feel. Ask an advice columnist or relationship expert. Also maybe work toward more independence, if your mate is making it all about the money. Bless you, take care of yourself and good luck. I haven't much useful to say. Maybe you jumped in too fast and doing simpler projects would be fun: sketching outdoors (away from hubby!) or with a group. You could repurpose the studio, at least in part, for awhile. Or, just push through or use other advice posted here. I actually couldn't listen to the whole video above as I feel UA-cam is a vice that harms productivity. She was talking so much. But maybe her ideas are helpful, whatever they are. Good music can be very inspiring, as well as nature, children or whatever you love. Museums too, and classes. You could even teach, eventually! Good luck.
Julie Knudsen Put a blank canvas in front of him and see what he can do with it. I find that other artists tend to give positive and constructive feedback, rather than harsh criticism. You need more than just supplies; you need the freedom to explore your creativity without battling with what someone else thinks. See if you can meet regularly with a couple of those artist friends to work on the same still life set up over a few sessions. Discuss with them what works or what needs improvement, but most of all, enjoy working alongside likeminded people.
Your videos are so good!! I do think that many times frustration and artist block happens when we're tired and need a break. I would have never thought of using this method of storing everything away! It's like you're storing a part of yourself away! Very interesting approach. Thank you for another grest video.
Erika Lancaster thank you for your comment and contributing to this topic 😊. I fully admit, when I was asked to think about removing every aspect of my art for a month it scared the heck out of me. My first thought was, 'who will I be if I don't have this?' But after I put everything away and sat with that thought for a while I realized that my whole problem was actually, 'if this painting doesn’t turn out, who will I be?' I was unconsciously putting WAY too much pressure on myself and that step back put me back into the right frame of mind.
I really relate to this video. I think sometimes being afraid to start or progress with an artwork is as much about self esteem as it is about the art. I graduated in illustration in 1988 and have never managed to make my living from my creative work even though it’s always been an immense part of my life and part of my identity. This is part of the ‘baggage’ that holds me back these days, when I get blocked in the way you describe. Very difficult to break out of this negative way of thinking. Thank you for sharing this.
Kay Fletcher Thank you for your comment here. It’s so important to remember that everyone feels like this from time to time no matter how successful he or she is in their field. I have a tendency to put those whom I feel are more talented than I up on a pedestal when in reality they are no different than anyone else. They suffer from struggles just like we do.
What excellent advice. I sometimes put a piece in the trash. I work on it and when I see that nothing that I'm doing is progress, I throw it away. It's quite liberating.
I'm so glad you've found something that works well for you! I've done that myself, but I'm afraid I'm a bit more stubborn and drag out the process until I'm quite frustrated - then it goes into the trash! lol
I understand what you're saying - I try quite a lot of things before it is trash time!
I like the idea. Besides I really like your hair style
Thank you very much! :)
Yes, she looks adorable. But it's funny to me to see artists look artificial, I'm used to them not being too glamorous, the two don't seem to mix. But that was before UA-cam, so I dunno. If you're busy trying to be a UA-cam star, that leaves less time for art. But probably I'm off base.
Art has been a lifelong passion of mine, since I was old enough to hold a crayon. :-) But I have taken breaks from my art, sometimes for months, even years. This especiallyhappens if I've had a bad experience of rejection of my art for any reason or frustration about it. Or sometimes life just takes you in a different direction for a while. However, I believe that if you have an artist's soul, if art is a part of you , it always calls you back.
You said this perfectly, Gloria - and I completely agree. I think that the fear of trying this method (at least for me, initially) was that I was afraid of the 'what ifs' like, what if I never pick it back up again? But you're right - if you need art like you need to breathe, it will always call you back. Thank you for your comment here.
Ellen Brenneman Studio You're welcome, Ellen. I enjoy your videos. Happy Holidays!
First off... I love your videos!! They are super helpful!! I feel immersing yourself in your artwork when you really stuck (emotionally stuck), would make things worse... it has for me in my writing and lesson learned there - I try not to repeat it in my artwork. As a creative mind type of people we all are, I make myself work on another creative outlet before I get too out of sorts! Dancing is a terrific way of resourcefully using rhythm - while pumping your adrenaline in an creative way!! Plus, it makes you happy and rejuvenated!!
PJ Martin thank you for your comment! Dancing is certainly another creative outlet and one that can easily distract the mind. I’m glad you find it so helpful for you! 😊
I put my art away for a year and half and am now going back to it. I had to so I could breath and I found my way back to it. My lack of success and direction was suffocating me at the time.
What great advice, Ellen! I recently had an experience with a commission. I simply could not paint this dog! So I did what you mentioned, I pushed on...I decided to paint this dog multiple times in various media. I think I painted him 7 or 8 times. But the last one was the charm! It flowed out of me and became one of my favorite paintings. The owners loved it! But after months of one commission after the next I was burned out creatively and felt I 'could not paint' anymore! So I am doing what your therapist suggested, though it has not been conscious until I saw your video. I have been doing other things to take care of myself and I'm finally feeling ready to paint again. Happy New Year and thank you for your wonderful paintings and videos!
Congratulations , that,s great , and the Great Masters ,Monet often painted the same scene many times at various times of the day ,the light is different , changing as the Sun moves , best to you !
Going to try this. It’s been about a year since I’ve created anything. It feels absolutely awful and everyday I go to bed so unsatisfied yet so inspired and ambitious.
Great advice. I do this occasionally. I’ll literally take a week off and don’t allow myself to paint (even if I want to!) does you good to take a break and come back fresh and eager! 👍
I crochet purses and jewelry. When I tire of one, I try the other. My jewelry is extensive with necklaces and matching bracelets, cuff bracelets, button bracelets and earrings. Single thread and double thread as well as Spring and Fall colors. There's never a lack of ideas jumping from one collection to the other until each collection is complete for the next year. I rarely repeat, but still have 10 years of records showing what I did sell, which I could always return to if needed. I just keep advancing daily by adding and deleting from two dozen pages of notes that I keep on a clipboard.
Thank you for sharing this! I know i'm late to this video but I'm going through this same thing right now and feel like i've been pushing through it for a few months now, the idea of putting everything aside for a little while really feels like a relief so I'm definitely gonna try that.
I'm so glad you found this useful - good luck! 💕
There's something to what you're saying... I've made 100% of my income from sculpture sales since 1983. This summer, I quit doing sculpture for 3 months to get some home improvements done - and it refreshed me to get away from it for a while!
Don Lawler Glad to hear I’m not the only one who uses this method. Very happy to know that the time away did you some good!
@@EllenBrennemanStudio ...and I have finished walls, tile floor, and trim to show for the time away... building your own home while living in it is for the birds, (liked and subscribed)
Wow Ellen, I'm so grateful for this video! Perfect timing! Thank you SO much, I've been strugling big time the last couple of months and this was the message I needed! You're wonderful! :0)
Donny10 you are most welcome, glad you found it helpful! 😊
Absolutely amazing... I was just feeling as if I’d lost all inspiration and then I watched this. Thank you ... for caring and for sharing.
Yes, Ellen brenneman. It does work, I had to do it for a year but not repented at all. Thanks for sharing similar experience.
Thank you for your comment here, and I'm very happy to know that you have found this technique helpful as well. It goes against everything we think we should do in this situation, so having enough insight to follow through with this method is very good!
Ellen, another great video and very insightful. Thanks so much. Blessings.
Hi Ellen,
Your words ring of truth and wisdom. Doubt seems to be a tragic flaw we humans have, but still we crave to try and understand ourselves, thus allowing our passions to flourish. I try hard not to compare myself and my art to others. It's difficult with so much creativity out there. Your suggestion of stepping back is a great one, it gives perspective that we miss, perhaps because we are much too close to see the forest through the trees! Time has a way of correcting and re-calibrating our visions! Thanks for sharing your story 😁
Thankyou for dealing with this topic. I find that the little voice in my head is easy to take notice of. You have to really watch that inner critic which can stifle a work before it is finished and often before it is started. Try to concentrate on the fact that you are just being a channel for Creation and that really what you create is just a way of learning. With practice you can improve..but dont listen to all those comments and try to clear your mind and ease yourself into that Space. We all know that space where for example if someone else talks you cannot concentrate on answering...you are in The Zone, and you dont want to be pulled out of there.
I get this problem too but another part of it is that I usually have to save up for art supplies here and there. For example, about six months ago I saved up to order 3 20x20 canvases (it was a discount at 3). It took me 4 months to even open the first canvas because I was so afraid to mess it up. There's still one in the box now. Logically I know that leaving it there is just a complete waste but logic doesn't help.
I sympathize with your situation. Watercolor paper is like that for me. Once I begin painting there is no turning back and the heavier weight sheets are so expensive! Can you gesso over your canvases if you don't like how your painting is turning out? I'm assuming you work in a medium where you can't easily do that 😕
Ellen Brenneman Studio, it depends on what kind of a piece I was working on. I work in acrylics. If I'm doing something with thin layers then yes, gesso is a great idea (and thank you for that). If I'm doing an abstract piece I prefer to use heavy texture so gesso wouldn't work as well, though I have thought about seeing if I can scrape off the texture.
Thank you so much Ellen, it's been 2 years that I don't feel joy while drawing or sculpting and it was worrying me, I knew that I needed a break, but felt that I would "abandon" a part of myself by taking it, as if I was dropping art, 2 years ago I got depressed because of everyone teling me that art wasn't a lucrative industry, that I should find something more secure ( I was 18 by the time) and I started feeling really bad because, although I felt motivated by looking at other artists work, when it came to draw something, I didn't feel any joy in doing so. Your video gave me a sense of relief, this month I will follow your advice and stop thinking about it for a while, focusing on my mental and physical health.
Good, I'm glad to read that you are ready to take that burden off yourself. I completely get it; as artists, creating is so much a part of us it's as though we'll stop breathing if we even 'think' of walking away. Once I released myself from that fear, it truly was like a weight had been lifted off. To have that space all to myself really helped my mental health. Wishing you the best!
Elton John once said, "If I didn't get away from it, I would probably go insane."
Now I just paint when the "bug" hits me. Same with playing the sax. Just picked it up today after it sitting in the case for 3 months. Now that felt better!
I'm glad you found your way back to it!
I would love to start a etsy page.
Food for thought. Thank you for sharing your very personal story. My only solution has been pushing forward. I found that doing a cookie cutter approach of doing a piece as someone else had done on UA-cam. Something that I liked, but really was not my style. After doing that for awhile, my style started covering up the rigid “stuff” that was there, or suggested. Overnight, I went from following, to watching for inspiration: my twist on what they did, an offshoot of what was done ...by doing it with my painted papers and elements that I had previously made instead of store bought items, going with a color scheme that was close to what was used/ or totally different and play with a media or mediums that I was drawn to or enjoyed. Now many friendships have been developed with artist that are sharing their approach, style, and background; so I create while my friends are creating, and jot down thought or thought that came up as I listened to what they were doing. Sometimes it is background noise that I am not listening too, so I sit back/ enjoy the presentation/ and look for whatever inspiration comes to mind. As I jot those bits down in comments, I find a more creative approach that resonated with me voicing its concept as jotting done/sketching the basics. Now I have, a notebook of backgrounds to break up the paper and get moving, jot sequels. Flip through a Magazines, and just cut out faces that sing to me...a story book comes together as color/ as sketch. So I now have these not books to grab and flip through, as well as saved videos that I want to play around with the basic concept. It is working for me. ...the adventure continues, and the binds of friendship strengthen.
It sounds like you have really found your rhythm for being able to tune out negative distraction which goes to show what beautiful things can happen when all of that falls away. You're left creating for the joy of it and that's what it's all about :) Thanks for contributing to the conversation!
thank you for your sharing :)
You are very welcome - thank you for watching!
Thanks for another great video, Ellen! Fear of creating is probably way more common among artists than most people realize. As a recovering procrastinator, I can relate to this problem. Fear & perfectionism is what lies at the root of procrastination (for me, anyway). I’ve tried the same technique you have, and put all my stuff away, but it doesn’t work for me, ‘cause I end up never pulling any of it back out for ages! Everyone is different, though, so I do think it’s a method that would work for many other artists.
What’s helped me most are: 1. Asking God to walk me through the process in baby steps, and leaning on Him for courage, 2. Trying to get into the same headspace I was in when I’d create as a child, with no pressure or expectations, and just do it for the fun of it, and 3. Tell myself that I don’t ever have to show the finished piece to anybody if I don’t want to. I still deal with fear and procrastination, but it’s nowhere near as bad as it once was. It took a long time to figure out what the best methods are for me to overcome it.
I experience the fear and perfectionism as well. Thank you for sharing on what helps you!
To me you are a great artist one I haven't seen in a long time but don't ever listen to others for one thing , keep up the good work. 😁
Thank you, Richard :)
I enjoyed your story. It helped me see I'm on the right track but...I have my supplies put away. I went to art school/university and am having a hard time even enjoying the creative process. I think art school killed my creativity. I take out supplies and try but end up putting it back in boxes to get it out of my sight. Then I feel guilty and sometimes cry because I can't get my art groove back. Each time I take it all out, I tell myself, 'This time I will be able to do it.' Sadly, the longest I lasted was 3 weeks. I graduated in 2009 and still don't have the desire but the need is still with me. Or am I wishing the need was there and it's time to drop it and move on completely?
Hello Ellen, your Videos certainly help a lot even for me, I,m a potter and have had some ups and downs , I sold my work at my Mother,s Craft and Gift shop , which is closed now many years . I had to stop making for 10 years , a long time as I moved to another city, and didn,t have my studio with me it was at my family home . Then I took a few courses to have access to a wheel , that was a big help to get back into pottery. But I was not selling ,so I couldn,t afford the course . Today I have my wheel and Kiln where I live , yeaaa, but those years of stopping did take a toll . I have a big blockage and find myself stopping for weeks . As you know, making the work is just part of it all, so your videos ,inspire me and I like to remember my Successes , all the pots I sold -- I sold all my work eventually to people who are enjoying it ! I need to focus on all the success and build on that, to improve my confidence and motivation . I hope you are not stopping making more videos ,you are helping people more than you know, so keep going . When I wasn,t doing pottery I took a few Art classes , perpetual student that I am, painting Watercolor on Arches paper , never Yugo paper so your instruction is very helpful to me . Watercolor is not easy for me, so I make some abstract greeting cards to loosen up.--- Sorry you have here a whole Lifetime of my Art and pottery making in one post , just to say , Thank you Ellen, you work is super , I,m going to check out your Prints for Sale ,Thank you , Philip
Thank you for your comment! I've taken throwing classes and it is such a challenging skill so I admire ceramics artists such as yourself. How wonderful that you now have your own kiln! 😃 Best of luck to you, Philip!
For me i keep making art hating it then feel like i can’t sketch then lineart then do anything. People would say make joke art but that wouldn’t work because i would need it to be perfect and i don’t know to do that. I have my standards too high and i can’t bring them back down i really don’t understand it i want to draw but when i do it makes me feel like shit.. hhh :((
Incredible timing. Wow. You are just so perceptive and willing to take great risks and this one ...with your therapist's suggestion...was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for putting this out there. The way I've experienced this kind of artistic cleansing via absence, has been with my 25 plus years as a performing clown magician...as I recently moved from The Bay Area to Seattle, I experienced a much-needed semi-sabbatical of sorts since I'm the new kid on the block up here and not many know me yet. But I felt that relief you felt from the absence and now, months later, even though I've still done some shows here and there, I relish every show now and realized how much I missed the bliss of performing, hearing belly laughs and just being lit up by joy. Ah, but with this nascent supplemental vocation as a painter...3 years into it...boy, I felt like I was becoming stuck in a rut, the grind of starting to turn it into a business especially as I've been quite successful at it. But, I feel like I want to grow more in my craft, not be pressured to put out work so as to pay bills, etc. I have felt like I needed this absence, this cleansing with art right now. And so, I've been basically easing up on the gas pedal, slowing down, balancing more (like how you spoke of these issues in the 4 Cons) and already I'm feeling better about painting. However, I do feel like I need to take it a step further and really take a big break from it. I'm going to listen within and see if this suggestion of a one month or maybe even 2 week absence...with everything put away...isn't just what I could use right now. Thank you. I do know that when I've finished a big outpouring of pieces, I have actually intuitively put all my supplies away, and stopped. Sometimes for days. Those were very helpful and I've forgotten that I used to do that in my first two years of painting. Hmm...such great food for thought here. Thank you. Reminds me of the Medieval mystics who spoke of the "dark night of the soul" when nothing that usually inspires you or gives you joy or pleasure...is able to do so. They would say this was to cleanse our attachments and be renewed. So, I think this is kind of what this absence period is like. Cheers!
Dave, thank you for your kind message. I hope your break proves to be exactly what you need. The good thing about art is that it will always be there waiting for you when you're ready to come back to it. Keep me posted on how it goes!
Thanks so much for doing this video Ellen. Over the last 2 years I bought so much art supplies in an attempt to start my art journey. I printed out so many pictures, traced many but never started because I was scared of failing and making mistakes. 6 days ago I made the decision to just start something in coloured pencil and so far I've made so many mistakes but I've managed to push through these mistakes and carry on. I hope I can continue doing this throughout the year and make some progress. Thanks so much for your lovely videos, I really admire your art and technique but not brave enough to try it out yet :-D May you have a wonderful 2018 :-)
Landi Le Roux thank you so much for your kind comment, and I’m glad you were able to work through your fear! The more you do it the easier it will become, as long as it excites you! Just remember that mistakes are the only way we learn. They may seem like a failure but truthfully, they are such an important learning tool. All my best to you for a creative 2018!
Super helpful! Thank you so much, Ellen! You ROCK!!!
I’m glad this worked for you. It hasn’t for me. My family went through a traumatic event earlier this year and I haven’t written anything for six months. I have no desire to write anymore, and the very word has become synonymous with hard work and no reward. Anhedonia has set in and I have just enough energy to get though the work day. Do I miss it? Yes, but I don’t think it’s likely I’ll pick up a pen anytime soon. Same reason I don’t play video games any more: no pleasure.
I'm sorry to read that you've had a traumatic experience. I don't want to overstep my bounds, but perhaps your priorities have shifted, such as navigating a path to some sort of healing. I guess what I'm saying is, if you're not writing, maybe you're meant to do more important things right now, like taking care of yourself, your family, etc. If you miss it, that's a good sign.
Hi Ellen, I like all your videos, I like your honesty, I like that you open that you went to therapist, show how mess your studio (oops), thank you, you are really help
Thank you for this video, Ellen! I can totally relate! I just uploaded a video on my channel about a similar topic "When You Don't Feel Like Creating". I really appreciate hearing your perspective.
Great advice! Sometime it's just good to start from a fresh clear mindset again to put things in perspective. Reminds me of an animation called Kiki Delivery Service when they try to find their inspiration again. Thanks again :)
Robert Lam thanks so much, Robert! Sometimes having a fresh outlook can make all the difference! 😊
Hello, great video. And so timely for me. It came on after I watched something else. To be honest I didn't seek you out. Anyways...the other day I was rejected for the very first art competition that I have ever entered. I see myself as an artist, to the core, it is my identity, and I had never had anything rejected. I was the child genius at school, the kid everyone thought of when they thought of someone who was good at art (I am scoffing at this as I write, not bragging, but you get my drift). At art school and any and all my teachers throughout my life have just stood by and watched silently as I worked. I AM an artist. Today, after this first and only rejection, which hurt my poor little ego so badly, I decided to put the paints and canvasses away so I cannot see them, to work out my next steps. There is a style that I do very well which is actually so easy it now bores me. I think when I start painting again it will be that type of mixed media work that I have done for years, and it is that work that I will use to edge into the market. Thank you for confirming the idea of stepping away when negativity strikes is a good one. I like your videos a lot. Thank you.
Hmmmph Hey, don't be so reactive to one little rejection! You're probably on to something about expanding your style, maybe: perhaps they sensed you were just coasting or bored. If your ego is that fragile, you'll never make it in the real art world. Your first rejection shouldn't make you want to quit. Try to learn from it and also keep trying, it's only one rebuff, it could mean anything or nothing! Also, if you're doing art Only for the praise from others, it's bound not to last. You have to know it's good: believe!
Dear Ellen! I loved this video and your channel anyways! 😍👍
I am in a similar situation right now,but with me it is different. I wanted to paint an acrylic painting of my two beloved cats that had to cross the rainbow bridge. I put all my stuff together, made research on the fur types I needed and wrote everything down, same with how to paint a realistic cats eye, I have the pictures I wanna use printed out twice one in black and white and the other one in color. I even had traced them on to my canvas and had a perfect plan how I wanted everything,the background and so on. I thought now that I have two "new" adorable kittys I should be able to paint it. I was totally wrong! Everytime I put the canvas with their pictures on it out and wanted to start painting, I could not! I was like frozen and I stared at the canvas and the canvas right back at me. By now I have already painted over the canvas with their pictures on it. I do not understand this,dear Ellen. I normally have no problem at all giving me challenges all the time that are over my skill level, I just do it and very often I surprised myself on how well I did on a challenge I gave me! But with this painting??? I have no idea what the heck is wrong with me! It makes me very sad, cause I really want to paint this Memory painting of my lost furry heros! I am so scared of messing this special painting to me up, that I cannot even start or even sometimes take a breath. Have you an advice for me from your long artist carreer? Maybe you had an experience like I have now, had in the past or you know somebody who had this? I appreciate every single advice you can give me so,so much! Already thank you and keep going, I love your videos! Be blessed, dear Ellen and thank you again! Lots of Love from me, Manuela from Germany,to you dear Ellen 😍😍😍👍👍👍💐💐💐
Ps: I already tried to put the canvas with the pictures on of them out of my sight for a long time and it did not work for me.
I'm sorry to learn of the loss of your cats :( From reading your comment, it makes me wonder if you are having a difficult time beginning this painting because you are so emotionally involved. You are so connected to your beloved animals that you want to honor their memory in the best way possible. Because you miss them so much you want to make this painting as special as possible. This is a great deal of pressure you are putting on yourself. To me, it feels comparable to a surgeon who has to operate on someone she knows; too many emotions get in the way and it's easy to become paralyzed with fear over the thought of messing up.
My only advice would be to give it more time. If you are still healing from the pain, you may need to grieve a bit more and only begin your painting when emotions are not so raw. If you feel enough time has passed and you still cannot begin your painting, it may help to completely remove your feelings about it and treat it like you are working on a painting for someone else's animals - just until you get going. Once you see them coming to life on the canvas you will automatically begin to reconnect with them. BEST of luck to you!!
Ellen Brenneman Studio Thank you so,so much Ellen for your advice! I appreciate it so much! You are totally right! I am still involved with my huge loss! They were my Babys and I want to paint them as good as I can! I will try your advice! Thank you again,so much! Be blessed! Love from me to you 😍😍😍
Thanks for sharing your interesting story and what you did and for your other great tips. I've been a professional artist for most of my life and have been blocked many times, but now that I'm 71 and have a mild form of MS with other related problems and had to go into the hospital for a couple of days, I find it harder than ever to get "back into my art"! I'm notorious for starting paintings and not finishing them! Self-sabotage. I recently started a painting, a really good one, almost finished a couple of months ago and haven't touched it in weeks. I find that I can get inspired esp from nature and the female form *took two years of life drawing in art school, but will I start a new painting and finish it, remains to be seen! I remind myself of the late great composer Franz Schubert and his "Unfinished Symphony" who died of venereal disease at age 31.I'm also a composer and finished many pieces for piano and a full length folk opera which was performed locally with a write up in the Boston Globe but started another rock opera putting the music to the poems of Poe which wasn't easy and after six songs, haven't finished that as well. Life gets in the way esp after raising three daughters and partially raising my oldest granddaughter because we lost her mom to coma and brain injury 15 years ago. Best of luck to all, I've put most of my art supplies away but not completely out of sight for fear again that "out of sight , out of mind" will work too well, forever!
thank you for sharing your story; you sound like a very creative person! Best of luck to you and finishing some of those masterpieces!
Thank you for this: I struggle with this frequently, I think 'what's the point of art?' and 'I have to spend my limited energy on doing shopping, food, washing clothes, cut the awful garden here = art must come last' but then I'd never do any, and 'why bother when nobody buys them?' and 'everything I do isn't good enough at the moment/not as good as 2 years ago' plus for me with my brain injury & other injuries I have to cope with extreme fatigue and loads of pain, can't ever get comfortable. Plus mega stresses of dangerous & insecure housing, no income, no proper healthcare - I know even without these extra stresses I'd probably suffer from the same ar anxieties but I think (maybe I'm wrong?) that if I could sell some it would really encourage me. I've got several big canvases (one is 80 x 80 cms.) that still aren't quite finished - this one has been going on for several years now and they all glare at me and I'm so sick of them but have put so much time & effort in it'd be a shame to never finish them. So I start new things that I'm excited about, finish not all and so the unfinished pieces are piling up. I've had to move apartments many times since my serious accident (and no compensation/help) and some of my things have been in boxes since 2011, I wish I could have a real home where I could settle and that's adapted for my needs but you have to be rich to have that. I do what exhibitions I can but they wipe me out for ages after and due to my brain injury I can't sell online: too complicated and people who offer to help don't appear to be actually helping. But I muddle on the best I can and push myself daily as hard as I can, at the moment trying to do 'gentle' art just so I can achieve something. Thanks again, all the best to you.
And best to you as well, Jenny. Being a creative can be both a blessing and a curse at times. Thank you for being open and sharing your story here. Wishing you happy painting days ahead ✨🙏🏼
@@EllenBrennemanStudio thank you, happy painting days ahead to you also.
I feel like my studio space (group space) is putting that pressure on me. I sat there last night just feeling defeated. I couldnt clam. Couldnt think. Considering leaving it.
I live with my supercritical older sister. She and I are total opposites. I don't expect her to understand or like my art. She told me last night I needed to change my name because it looks ugly when I sign my artwork. Lol !!!
Narcissist...
She has caused me to get into major blocks, fear of failure, and depression. I am older now, but still have fearful blocks. The worst thing is that I used to do paintings she would like. What was I thinking??? I hated those paintings! She did too.😞
Now, when I get blocked I go easy on myself. I'll start by laying down my floor tarp. Then I'll pull out my paints and brushes. Then a fresh white canvas and just look at everything looking to formulate a painting in my mind. Weeks, or months later, my artwork will flow like crazy and I pretty much love it all! I learned to be patient and kind to myself, since few people in my family are. Hope this helps! Love, hugs and blessings!
this is so wonderful; I'm so glad you've found a healthy place to be happy with your art :)
My personal issue is my partner, they’ve caused me a lot of emotional trauma over the last two years and the last big fight just broke something inside me. I haven’t felt the same since and that’s made making art… it’s just impossible. There’s no “flowing well of inspiration” anymore, it’s just a bunch of anger and vindictive invasive thoughts, especially after the things I found on that phone of his. My sketchbook isn’t a safe place anymore and that used to be what I did, you know? He was being an ass, I’d draw. And draw. And draw. Now I have a specific trauma for the color purple because that’s the hair color of the wh@re I caught him interacting with. Purple used to be my favorite color now I feel physically nauseous when I see it. This has ruined my ability to make art and I don’t know how to start moving past it
I am incredibly sorry :( Initial trauma, which can easily turn into depression, is enough to drain anyone from wanting to create (I sympathize and can very much relate to parts of your story). Take time and be good to yourself; your paper and pencil will be waiting for you when that need feels therapeutic once again ❤
Fabulous. Thank you!
hi Ellen its amazing you sharre those experience already happened with me and i just remove all my stuffs and hidden for 4 week a while because all the art I ve done was not enought and not motivation to finish my painting or retouch could make worst..anyway . just real break and find another things or nothing ..going crare yourself better ..put you in a room and the real misses organic back you on track...well i discover you recentelly and even not liven in ameirica listen your clues here and i d love to speak about thxs mate
Very interesting. I’ll keep that in mind.
All the art creator has same problem what to paint or what to create it is not only for us but it happened in the history of art sometimes in the history of art some creation are repeated but in some kind of changes can be seen in their art and in the long term we can see it is a vast changes, I am giving some example like Titian or any other late painter, and the Picasso their subject matter is same like portrait they have copied from other artist but the presentation is different Picasso's thought about portrait is flat and single line eyes and mouth not realistic but like symbol of the part of the body he only change the expression the same thing of expression in old style but they are realistic in some cases realistic is also slightly different from other they can also able to paint realistic but they want to change in rude realistic they want to present something new in their own way.
Very helpful!! Thx u for sharing
Thank you for your videos! The first one I watched popped up in my suggested videos and I’m glad I watched and subscribed!
One of the things that has helped me greatly with this problem is reading and doing the exercises in The Code to Joy. (George Pratt is one of the authors) one of the things it talks about is grounding and resetting our internal battery, which I used to think was just an “out there hippyish” bunch of stuff...LOL! Turns out it’s scientifically proven to be a true need in our human bodies! It might not always fix the problem totally but is needed anyway so can’t hurt. I need to read through that book again!😉
Many thanks for contributing with your thoughtful words! ☺️
Hi, I love it when people suggest a book to read , Thank you for this I will check it out !
I just attempted to do a nice flower garden painting and I just couldn't do it. It sucks I hate it. I suck! So I'm just going to do an ugly one. I've lost my talent art was the only thing that made me happy 😭 I hope I can get it back.
Kate, don’t give up. I still have days even after all these years where I will create some thing and get so frustrated with it that I just want to cry. This summer I have really felt a bit lost with my artwork; you would think after all these years I wouldn’t feel that way but I still do sometimes. The thing to remember is that it is just a feeling, it is not an accurate description of the way things actually are. Ride through this moment and then, begin again. You can do this!
@@EllenBrennemanStudio thank you
One of my blocks is not having money coming in and dont have resources to work with...
It's sad that so many of us have to deal with this type of thing at some point in our lives - many times for years. I would always browse art supply swap groups on FB for supplies; every little bit helped.
I know what you mean it difficult but I am trying
@@Gypsymumma90 Don,t give up ! and celebrate your successes no matter how small ! I am a potter ,sometimes I have to remind myself that some people have never even made 1 pot ! or Artwork , tell youself every day ,I am getting Better and better at my Art , the Mind responds to repetition so say it 4 or 5 times , it works for me , if you,re selling, I,m going to check out your pieces for sale , take care Self -Talk helps there is lots written about it
@@lawrencereed8753 thanks
@@Gypsymumma90 Hi, in my experience , do stop thinking about lack or not having, that can block money from manifesting, better to distract, feel good ,remember happy times , things that excite you, please you, music is good too hope this helps :) thank you for your site WW !
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. I see this video is 2 years old....so I hope you are still creating. I will follow your page. :)
Thank you, Chris - I'm still creating!
@@EllenBrennemanStudio Awesome! =)
Thank you! this means I'm normal!!! hehehe I feel this way a lot!
I love your art
Thank you! :)
I'm having second thoughts on whether I really have this problem or not. The piece I'm afraid of _is_ a commission and has a full body pose which I almost never draw. I'm disproportionately better @ draw faces and anything that's not the legs or feet really. But I wanted to change that and it's been so overwhelming. I wonder if locking it away will work for me...
I could just be in that motivation dip that comes along when learning any skill. (When your eyes have advanced farther then your abilities, your skill improves, but then your eyes do again and the cycle goes on.)
dope!
I don't know how to do much computer.
One thing that helps me is putting up my drawings
I had the exact same problem. I didn't draw for like 3 months. Then I missed it. When I restarted, I feel I wanted to do it, not because of anyone.
That's great to know, thank you for sharing! :)
It is full of fun 😏
My art block has come from my dads health failing he has been battling cancer for the last 3 years , now hes been giving 6 months to a year to live and my health isnt the best either i have allot of spine problems , i try and try to get back into art and it just seems impossible to be creative when everything around me is negitive idk maybe somebody can give me words of inspiration
While I can't speak for everyone, I can say that when I am going through a particularly tough life experience, it helps me to confront painting from a different perspective than I normally would. Pulling out mediums that I normally would never reach for, I'll just sit and try to put a face to the way I'm feeling and use colors that express those emotions. Painting strictly for oneself can be very therapeutic and many times, the best pieces come from the darkest of places. Best wishes to you, and I'm sorry about your father :(
@@EllenBrennemanStudio thank you i appreciate your response ,i have forced myself to do a few differemt pieces of art in color pencil ,graphite pencil and ballpoint pen since staying w my dad supplies have to be at a minium ,i just try to keep on keeping on
That's what happens to everything when it's a job.
Whats horrible is seeing things i want to draw ,and i see things some people cant see ...
Quit and be free!
I'm sorry I can't subscribe even though your art is wonderful. You come across as a negative person. Though I know you are trying to warn us, I would much rather hear words of encouragement.
I'm sorry you feel that way, and I wish you much success in finding a channel that better suits your needs :)