have you tried 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron? That unblocked me big time. I like the way you're looking at the link between co-d and creativity...I can relate.

I had to actually get out before my creativity came back. But last night I watched Wayne Dyers movie Shift on YouTube and think that might help...it helps us understand how much disservice we do to ourselves by putting other things first in our lives....It will come back...don't give up hope..The mere fact that you want it back is a good sign..Good luck!

i was going to suggest the artist's way also.

however this is precisely why art therapy is so healing. we express our pain in our creations...


sunny see if you can tolerate whatever comes out. whatever it may be. even if you find it tight or cold or inaccessible. you see how this can be a valuable part of your healing?? you might not like it however i see it as a really great route to learn to love and have compassion for yourself, NO MATTER WHAT!

i say this b/c what's unspoken is a whole bunch of expectation and judgment of what you are producing. this is not going to encourage you to create more if you are judging and expecting different things.

perhaps if you can let go and just be with it it will become soothing which is part of what you're seeking isn't it?? rewarding??

I have found that when you're in a slump or have artists' block (similar to writing block), that the best place to start is right where you are, with what you have available. Initially it may seem like total shit to you but that's ok, because you are loosening up, you are engaging in the process. The Artists' Way is good for mining themes in your life, good for determining your passions and what drives you--I found that some of the introspection on there made me much more self-aware at the time (that was almost 20 years ago--wow, time goes by fast). What I found especially relevant for me, however, was simply doing it. At first the stuff that was coming out felt rigid and unappealing to me. I remember painting over one canvass about 4-5 times before I felt satisfied with it. Some nice layers were built up as a result,which helped to establish the theme of the collection. This past year I have been focusing on making business/personal cards for my work and to establish contacts. I have actually made more money over those business cards because of the work I was able to drum up than any paintings I have ever sold, lol.

Sometimes when we are feeling really blocked and we keep on persisting through the blocked-ness, we can have incredible breakthroughs where we develop an unexpected theme that we can explore and expand. Our experiences help in this in unexpected ways.

What medium are you working with?

Glad to hear you are thinking of getting artistically active again.

Oh, just thought of something--two years ago I was feeling creatively blocked--I had no direction in what I wanted to do, but wanted to produce a body of work. So I went to a tarot reader/psychic (yes, me an atheist who has no belief in the supernatural) and explained my predicament. He said to just start doing it, and most importantly, do think of art as an escape, to think of some laborious, grunt-work (or unpleasantry of some sort), and think to yourself, "first I'll do some art". That winter I produced my first extensive body of work, some of which I have sold. It helped me to establish in my mind that I was actually an artist. To be honest, I haven't been artistically active lately, I need to take my own advice here and start escaping into art again.

<3

I am struggling with this as well. I have decided that I want to pursue writing as a career. Or at least part of my career but I refuse to write. I am scared and allow fear to keep me from the keyboard. I write for others but not for myself. I heard this guy on Oprah who said when ever you decide to do something good opposition will show up. It is kind of like there cannot be light without dark kind of thing. He said just put your ass in the chair and the opposition will vanish just like a mist. So my advice to you and me is put your ass in the chair.

Actually I have just bought her book - and the workbook which goes with it!
Thanks girls!
xxx
I have my first art class tomorrow so I will let you know how it feels!

LOL Izzy, I like that, "put your ass in a chair".

Looking forward to hearing about your art class Sunny!

oooo art class was good! It was pretty much retired folk and me, but thats ok. Some really interesting characters including a lady in her mid 90's who was a land-girl in the war ! SHe will have some tales to tell!
I need to go and get some supplies for the next class so thats a good excuse for some retail therapy!

I have started reading The Artists Way, and I am liking it! So I am starting on the 'morning pages' for those of you who don't know - The Morning Pages is about writing three pages of just whatever comes into your head, each and EVERY day. The idea is that is gets rid of all the junk which will hold you back from creating. Its a bit like journaling in its concept I guess. anyway I bought the book so I am going to invest in following the process! we will see!

Yay Sunny! I loved the morning pages, I am pumped for you, sister. I think I will start them again, myself. Thanks so much for starting this initiative, I have been out of the creative loop for a while. Like the whole part about the land-girl in the war! That sounds super exciting. i am looking forward to hearing more about this <3

We started with charcoal - that in itself was very freeing1 I haven't used it for so long, but its lovely and smudgy and messy! We then put some gold leaf on…!
It was great to just be me for a few hours - surrounded by people who like the same things.

Artgrrl - I really think creativity is the key to ( my) happiness. And my hope is that if I can express myself through images it will help me. I can't seem to access this part so I am really hoping the artists way will help me!
xxx