Ideas

When I was studying The Book of the Hopi, I came across the phrase "seeds in the sky like stars."  It stuck with me. As artists we are constantly under pressure to come up with creative ideas - what to paint or photograph, how to promote ourselves, how to grow our artistic experiences - plant seeds for future projects.

But sometimes you just feel empty.  Margie Middleton-Hudson recently wrote about waking up one morning to discover that her website was gone.  Everything - her photos, her creative life had disappeared.  

This time of year it's difficult to see any of the seeds you might have planted.  The ground is cold and hard. So how do we, as artists, go about the business of creating our ideas without burning out?

Margie talked about an earlier post of mine, Life Lessons From The Pursuit of Art, and she wrote honestly about her response to what I'd written.  I saw myself in each of her answers.  In the blog world, in our local artist communities - there's overwhelm in the information available, telling us how to do everything except maintain balance and create in the face of the unknown.  

When circumstances overwhelm us there are ways to take back our power.  Our experiences are not ours alone, and we can learn from others. 

How to you face creative overwhelm?  What strategies, practices, and thinking work best for you?

How do you plant seeds in the sky like stars?

Comments

[Maggie]

What a lovely post. Thanks for that beautiful image.

I keep those seeds planted by working, working, working, but also by a considerable lot of goofing off: daydreaming, playing, and imagining, in order to keep my mind open to new possibilities and ideas.

[margie]

Thanks for the follow-up to my blog entry and that sense of caring that you share with us all.

[Patrice Federspiel]

My favorite way to plant "seeds in the sky like stars" is to "get bored". It's a trick I learned from Chistine Kane. Sit still (or lie down) for ten minutes every day. Do NOT read, meditate, or think about anything. Just "get bored". Somtimes it's tough to take the time, but you'll be amazed at the ideas that naturally rise up in your creative mind.

[kaylyn]

I have more to say about this topic but in the meantime here's a great little bit on getting stuff done:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P785j15Tzk

[K. Henderson]

I agree with Donald. I have the things I WANT to paint and the things that my galleries, shows and clients NEED from me. They come first and I have to keep them first in my mind. But I also have to sneak away once in a while and fulfil my need.

[Tamara]

"How do you plant seeds in the sky like stars?" Well, that's a line I can't resist! Pure poetry. My answer: "Touch the night with wet soil on your fingers".
Hmmmm.

[Donald Diddams]

Here's one trick: 1) Make a list of the things you need or want to do. 2) Pick a couple and break them into little tasks that you can do and cross off the list quickly. 3)Do a bunch of those little tasks, cross them off, and feel the accomplishment. 4)Then guiltlessly go into the studio for a chunk of time just to play and see what happens.
Getting even a little of that stuff nagging at the back of the brain done can help loosen up the creative muscles.