Back, 16 x 20, oil on linen
Call it a rut. A slump. We've all been there, over and over again. Nothing seems to work and you feel like you just forgot how to paint altogether. How do you get out of it, and get back on track? Seek inspiration by looking at other artists work, watching movies, listening to music, taking a long walk... we have many different methods of getting unstuck.
When I get stuck, often it's because I'm over-thinking what I'm supposed to be doing: technically, stylistically, psychologically, career-wise. Too much junk to work into a single painting, and I forget about what's important at that moment; the painting itself. When I recognize it, I just stop what I'm doing, and go back to my comfort zone, something I've done before successfully and with full control. Something I understand how to do. No, not for the purpose of rehashing something I can easily sell, but to find myself in a place where I feel back in control.
In figure painting, that means simple palette systems and a clear figure-ground composition, nothing tricky or overly ambitious. I just want to get my chops going again without worrying about style, or complex color combinations, or whether this fits in with the rest of my oeuvre. I think of them as going back to simple exercises, and these Zorn palette things are just the right ticket for me. Only three colors plus white, I can just focus on one thing at a time and soon (hopefully), I'm back in the zone. Or not. Some ruts are deeper than others, but eventually we get unstuck. It's just easier on the psyche to have a comfort zone at these times, somewhere you can go back to, to find yourself in control.
When I get stuck, often it's because I'm over-thinking what I'm supposed to be doing: technically, stylistically, psychologically, career-wise. Too much junk to work into a single painting, and I forget about what's important at that moment; the painting itself. When I recognize it, I just stop what I'm doing, and go back to my comfort zone, something I've done before successfully and with full control. Something I understand how to do. No, not for the purpose of rehashing something I can easily sell, but to find myself in a place where I feel back in control.
In figure painting, that means simple palette systems and a clear figure-ground composition, nothing tricky or overly ambitious. I just want to get my chops going again without worrying about style, or complex color combinations, or whether this fits in with the rest of my oeuvre. I think of them as going back to simple exercises, and these Zorn palette things are just the right ticket for me. Only three colors plus white, I can just focus on one thing at a time and soon (hopefully), I'm back in the zone. Or not. Some ruts are deeper than others, but eventually we get unstuck. It's just easier on the psyche to have a comfort zone at these times, somewhere you can go back to, to find yourself in control.
All these are done in the Zorn Palette. Not because I'm in a rut, but because I assigned it to my class as homework. After seeing everyone's efforts, I think it was clear that this was a good place to return to, should we get lost with more complex palettes and are left feeling like we don't know what the hell we're doing. Simplify the problem, as I always say, and you simplify the solution.
Ruts are a normal part of our artistic growth and as painful as they are, we can be sure that they're temporary. Don't despair, and go back to what you know. When you feel back in control, the path will present itself.
25 comments:
True, how true. I've been in a rut the past couple days. I've been stretching myself to paint more figure (not my background), and getting frustrated (but not defeated). Perhaps a landscape tomorrow will cheer me up, remind me of what I'm capable of.
Your post was just in time!
Very interesting topic!
My daily tricks to avoid ruts are:
- To focus on the process and not on the result.
- Don´t worry about it, get busy with it.
And if I got stuck, release that aground energy through other creative activity like writing.
These studies are incredible, especially the composition and simplistic colors of the 'Back'. After experimenting with the Zorn palette I find it very freeing.
Those are some great insights into the stuck in the rut problem.
Thanks for the post.
The way I see this thing about inspiration is that some days you are more awake to artistic concentration and other days you are not there , if you push it, you get frustrated you think that you lost your ability to paint. you are going to laugh, but lately I check this horoscope http://www.dailyhoroscopes.net that tell you with percentages how creative you are going to be that day. if I am not inspired, and I see that I only have 10% of creativity that day, I dont worry, I plan for the next day or do some thing not so creative. works for me, not always, but a big percent of the times.
Terry, Thank you . . .
Your words were just what I needed this morning and I hope you won't mind me sharing them on my blog. I gave you the credit for them and put three links back to your blog from mine.
I will certainly remove my post if it's a problem.
Thanks again,
Nora
Your wise words will not be lost in in the wind, they hit very close to my home, thanks Friend.
Words of wisdom, Terry. I love the portrait; such a softness. Is she weeping?
Perfect timing!! Seem to be painting for everyone else as of late and not myself! This has caused me to become stuck and overwhelmed...ugh. Need a break...back to what I love...people and low light still life's! Your studies are beautiful and encouraging
Thanks for your comments! Sounds like the topic resonated with a lot of artists reading this blog~ Just goes to show ya, even though sometimes we feel isolated in our pursuits, we all have the same ups and downs, and looks like at the same time, too!
As Dan McCaw says, it always seems darkest just before a breakthrough. Take THAT and keep painting.
I think your insight about over thinking is exactly right. If you have ever tried to hit a golf ball while concentrating on your stance, your grip, your back swing, your hips, your feet . . . oh my god! . . . you would be lucky to not miss the ball altogether. Same with painting. Over thinking is deadly.
I have recently been practicing Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now - basically meditation techniques to rid yourself of thinking about the past and future, and simply experiencing Being in the now. Even if the philosophy behind this practice does not resonant with you the techniques are very helpful.
Basically it is all about simplicity. Limited thinking, limited palette. Releasing expectations and simply enjoying the moment. Happy painting everyone.
Thank you Terry. Its a most inspiring post. I need to read this again and again, everytime that I get into a rut (which happens quite often ;)).
Excellent advice, thanks a bunch!
I've been really blocked since before Christmas. Your post is very timely advise. Thanx.
How interesting for me to read that some of my favorite painters ( you, Ed Terpening ) are experiencing the same thing that I've been feeling.
Looking at the tubes of paint and feeling them stick their tongues out at me and mock me.
With this caliber of company behind me, I'm going to squeeze the daylights out of those 4 tubes ( Zorn is the way ) and tell them they don't scare me.
Very timely post Terry, and thanks for putting it up.
what a good article and it goes without saying your Zorn palette paintings are exquisite
...Now that I think about it, I think it's rare to find myself NOT in a rut. Sometimes a painting does seem to paint itself, or the brush does the work and I'm just hanging on for dear life, but most of the time it's a constant struggle. One gets to used to the struggle, I guess, and even looks forward to the challenge. Sometimes we win, other times we fall on our butt, really hard.
Painting is so damn hard, that if it weren't for the occasional win, it would kill us.
"Painting is so damn hard, that if it weren't for the occasional win, it would kill us."
Perfect...may I quote you??!!..:)
Yes, the challenge definitely keeps me in there!
Yes please quote away!
I'm posting anonymously because I'm supposed to know what I am doing.
I would love to explain my financial failure (art sales) on the economy, but somehow I bring it back to me.
My lack of sales recently (when I have previously sold 99% of everything I have ever painted) 'feels like' it's because I have been painting nonsense. I've lost touch. I have nothing to connect with others.
The last 3 months have been hell. And at this moment in time, I cannot believe I will ever paint competently again. My wife has lost faith in me, and does not realize I beat her to it.
My studio is impeccably clean for the first time ever. All I do is clean. I cannot paint.
It's driving me crazy.
And normally I am quite sane.
As I am reading this post again, this morning, I appreciate very much your advice. I get so emotional with my ruts, spinning my wheels and blaming myself instead of going back to the basics, like a good healthy Zorn palette... Thanks again for your teaching, your patience and these precious bits of wisdom.
Hello- I am new to your blog and really enjoying it. As far as ruts go, I found a book that I highly recommend to all creative people. "bird by Bird" by anne lamott. She is a writer writing about writing- but it totally applies to artists too. She talks about accepting ruts as opportunities to "fill up" again.
Anonymous - you DO know what you're doing. The world needs to be reminded time and again, is all.
Philippe, I've been thinking about your less-than-happy paintings two weeks in a row. I think it's exactly the thing I'm talking about. you're trying to put too much into it. When I look at the self-portrait homework you did (awesome), it's obvious that that was done with a confident brush. So what's the problem with the full figure thing in class? I think it's the lack of familiarity with the pose. With only three hours, you don't have time to do it over and over again, so you we put all our eggs in one basket! Compare last week's homework to your first week's, and you'll see what I mean.
Next time, go in with the mindset of only doing a "study" and not a freakin' masterpiece. Give yourself less pressure, and the brush will respond. I guarantee it.
KBecker, thanks~ I will look for that book. I've heard it mentioned a few times in the past month, so I'm very curious to read it.
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