HELP...I am caught in the middle of an 'Artistic Vortex' ... this sucker hit me dead on and there was no time to step to the left or right of it....BOOM!!!...head on ...smack dab dead center it hit!! OUCH!!.. This I must admit happens to me every so often...so I am no stranger to this ' situation' ...the trouble is, I never know where or when it will hit!! Unfortunately it is not like Hurricane season that they can predict with some sort of certainty ...between this month and that month... it is a confusing little sucker as it comes from 'within' and when you least expect, it finds someway to 'ooze' out ...gather strength and then double back at you full bore
!!! I always know it will come...it always does...it always has... at different ages in different places brought on by who knows what!!!... and once again... this little emotion sapping... creative tapping... senses zapping entity found my address and is camped out on my doorstep...rap tap tapping at my Door!!! ...and I AM NOT falling for the Old "CANDY GRAM" bit this time!!!
My Artistic Vortex (as I like to call it) it when my fingers want to do something creative, but my brain can't make up it's mind on what to do, and then a sneaky side slips in with the voice of doubt that it can't be done anyway whatever I might decide... while yet another voice whispers "why bother" ...and then a mental note arrives about that time with overwhelming messages of 'reason and logic' "doubt and questionings'.... all coming back to my fingers that just wanna do something but they are held prisoner by volumes of mixed signal missages!
And on top of that Artistic Hell ...I am then pelted with a barrage of creative rockets that thrill and inspire ...only to hear that DAMNED little voice again... "Are you Nuts...it's been done, is being done, this is not your style, you have no style, stay within the lines, it will take too long, don't reach that far, reach farther....have another cookie"!!!
If you have not guessed already...my Artistic Vortex is my own inner self throwing up every road block it can to repress the natural flow of Art. My definition of Art has always been freedom of mind, spirit and emotion... ...the Artistic Vortex is like having 'clogged pipes' where nothing flows through ...ahhhhh to have a Brain and Soul 'Plunger' ...
My feet are stuck and my objective is 10 feet in front of me...just out of reach... and I swear it just stuck it's tongue out at me!!!
The Good News....this is always short lived... I will learn to curb the voices with ear plugs, pamper the soul with promises of understanding and let my fingers do the the creative dance they so enjoy doing...
Jodi
30 comments:
awww yes i soooooooooooo understand....i like the name...i say i'm like a dog looking for a place to poop rofl...twirling and whirling and it isn't right teehee yes thank goodness it doesn't last for long...
LOL Sherry...I like Your Title!!! and a perfect description ...glad you understand...wonder how many are willing to admit to this 'Artistic Dilemma' that 95% of artists have at least once in their lives...
Awww Oh my goodness, I'm soo sorry to hear even you experience this!! I'd gotten sucked into a cyclone myself for a weeks/ months?? now :( and hate it!
Kick it's a*s cuz you are awesome and always will be at no matter what you do. Pick up the clay and let it surprise you.... Then have the cookie anyway as your reward :D
Love and hugs,
Sprite
Hey there Sprite.... you know, even as I was typing...I felt a slight twing of 'unclogging' ...could be that 'plunger' Richard had attached to the top of my head!!!
As I said..it will pass.. I will find my footing and 'creative edge' ...I think the coming of warm weather brings it....this week we are supposed to be in the mid 80's ...makes me always think of things I should have done before the summer comes...
But...truth be told...I have started to sculpt now and I am not unhappy...all good signs!!LOL...Now where is that damn cookie!!!!
Indeed... I know the feeling. You feel it creeping, creeping creeping in .... but then Viola! All at once a masterpiece appears! Oooo, I can't wait to see what springs for for Spring! - Deb
Okay, then I don't feel like the negative defeatist I always accuse myself of being if an artist of your caliber feels this way too. Maybe there is some hope for me yet.
Jody
Now, I feel this way every day of my life--trying this, dabbling in that and all the while thinking, "you are no good at any of it. You'll never be able to do this. ... give up and quit! Why are you even trying?!. . ." Maybe there is hope for litlte old me if YOU feel this way periodically--I left a version of this comment but my computer had some sort of hiccup so if I've said the same thing twice, there IS an echo in here!
Jody
I think sometimes we need to give ourselves a little tender care, a gift of self care, nurture and love that stinky little self critic, we all have it, I believe it's universal. I experience it on a daily basis.
Well, kiddo, the Evil Vortex is with us- all of us- at one time or another. Can last too long unless we get busy on three projects at a time. Ha..The vortex has many ugly heads too-with names! I picture a Medusa head with snakes and name tags! Unmotivated, Too motivated, Unfocused, Too focused, Disorganized, Always organizing, Material Stealer, Scissor Hider, Cookies Instead, or an Old Good Movie Time. Get some good music on-without words-, write what you feel you want to do, close your eyes, go with the feel and music, the energy of the notes, "move to the music" and drift into something that moves you... or not...Cookies sound good! All will pass.
Here I thought that was normal daily artsy mental psycho-babble in my head lol. I argue back too, "who cares just do it. Break out. Color outside the lines, you put them there in the first place right? No room for why, just ...why not?!" :)
well, obviously, from looking at my butt, I have been in a stooper for some time, and the cookies have all but taken me over!! haha but seriously, I feel your creative pain for sure. Sometimes I have so many ideas, but when I sit down with the clay, it will not come to fruition..it's a mess, and I get P O'd ...other times, especially if I have commission work, I get this artistic "block" if you will, and nothing turns out right,, thus the cookie brigade returns fully loaded, and ready to fire! haha xoxo Christel
Artistic Vortex....yes I like that...I have only recently begun clawing my way out of my own Artistic Vortex, so knowing that an amazing artist like yourself 'suffers' from them as well gives me comfort. It truly does! =D
Perhaps you need to stop what you are trying to do in the way of art and build that new Tepee so you have a place to recharge so you can better focus? I am sure that is what you are missing in your cycle of creation of personal art, it is no longer in your normal routine since the storm destroyed it.
I think your work is stunning, and I think you are pretty awesome as an artist and a human being.
You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us in the trenches:)
Jodi...Your writing is wonderful!!!!!! You'll come up with something really cool! I'll be waiting !
Bugs & hisses
patty
Hi Deb... It is a rather 'creeping' sort of feeling isn't it...but as you say Viola!! Magic
Hugs,
Jodi
Hi Jody...
You know...I often think of all the Artists that went before us...painters sculptors writers from hundreds of years ago... I can just imagine the Artistic Vortex's they experienced from time to time... WOW...just imagine fighting off both Artistic Blocks and 'The Pocs' all at one time...UGH!!
Hugs,
Jodi
So true Jan..
We do need to nurture our inner selves... cradling that fragile creative side...
Hugs,
Jodi
Hey there Kate...
You know all to well what I am talkin about don't you...I swear, this thing just tip toed up on me and Bang Bang Maxwell Silver Hammered me!! BUT...having said that...now that I have put in print what was inside...I am doing ever so much better...sculpted today and I was pleased...and I even have 'artistic' plan...
Cookie and Wine Tonight...no guilt!
Hugs,
Jod
Hi Amiee...
I am a firm believer in arguing back at my Creative Block Demon... kicking it's little hinnie to the floor and when no one is looking stomping the little sucker FLAT!
Hugs,
Jodi
Hi Christel...
AH HA!!! I see you understand the Cookie Demons that try to pass themselves off as the Good Guys... they don't even approach my mouth any longer...choosing rather to go right for my butt!! little bastards!
Hugs,
Jodi
Hi Deborah...
I fear it is a perplexing emotion that we all suffer... no matter how long involved in our art forms... it has noodled and weedled for centuries ...I figure that is how long there has been Cookies!
Hugs,
Jodi
See Karin...I think you may be onto something... We no longer have the tipi up (closed for the summer) and that was always my 'charging station' ...hmmmm I think I may be forced into printing out a large cardboard cutout to tide me over!!
Hugs,
Jodi
Well LDahl... you have certainly have helped to give me a wonderful boost....and I Thank You Kindly for that...
Friends are just the best remedy for what ails a body...
Hugs,
Jodi
Hi Patty... Richard always fears these days of my 'wordy ramblings' ...I never check...just post...I can hear his 'Loud GULPS' from the other room!! Glad to know I was not to 'out there'
I am working as of today on a new miniature Harry Potter Piece...keep your fingers crossed!
Hugs,
Jodi
Anything Harry Potter *has* to be good. :)
Cia
Well that is what I figure too Cia...can't go far wrong with H.P. ...it's like the old friend we come back too... that gives us strength... and the character we chose is a comforting soul...shall be oodles of fun!
Hugs,
Jodi
Oh Jodi, you are a hoot!it's comforting to know that you have a vortex and conquer it all the time! You Go girlfriend! Can't wait to see ....
XOops
KeWL, a new HP piece...
TiPi? You could tack a blanket up high in a empty corner somewhere?
Watching clouds pass or loOKiNG through a KALiDeSCOPe, pictures or museums sometimes helps me get going...
You are on to something, always darkest before the DAWn, iT happens almost every time.
Canno' wait to see you next new WeE piece of work.
You really should write a book, you are definitely a WoRD PAiNTeR! *G*
hugz...
~joanna
So Jodi...when will be seeing you wearing that cardboard cutout Tee Pee hat? I have been watching your blog for weeks now to see you wearing one. It would closely resemble a witches hat wouldn't it?
Start your own Tee Pee hat fad. You might be able to sell them at the street fair too. Have to make them adjustable sizes and for the deluxe model install a battery operated fan inside of it.
Forgive me... mind goes silly places on Sunday's when I am not in the mood to work..
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