Returning to the studio

At times I find it difficult to return to the studio. This is most true after a break of a couple of days, or worse, weeks! This happens often enough with life’s demands. My attention, time, emotional energy and commitment are focused elsewhere. Returning to the studio afterwards and struggling against inertia, can feel like I am wading through molasses. Art projects and the effort necessary to realize a vision suddenly feel too large and make me avoid the studio.

This past year I experienced anxiety, scattered thoughts and a shorter attention span… my mind often skittering to the news. It is not typical for me, nor was the feeling of antsy restlessness, and floor pacing. I know I was not alone in this!

Finding the sweet spot

My daughter and I did a lot of puzzles during the shelter at home months last Spring. I discovered there was a certain challenge level that was optimal. Too difficult and it felt stressful and frustrating…too easy, it didn’t hold my attention and energy. We did a color gradient one that nearly drove me mad. The frustration while doing it nearly negated its purpose…to lose myself contentedly in a task in order to let go of the rest of the world. Once I found the sweet spot we happily completed many. Each time a piece snapped into place I felt a frisson of excitement, an adrenaline surge, and a sense of triumph.

There are parallels between finding that puzzle sweet spot and tricking my way back into the studio. Creating strategies that make tasks more manageable can really help, particularly when beginning anew when the creation process feels overwhelming.

Some Methods That Help Me Back into the Studio

Clean up

Setting a timer or telling myself I will just go tidy up gets me physically to the studio. Once there I am almost immediately immersed. Being surrounded by work in progress and taking each in from various vantage points as I putter around, often cause ideas to percolate and spur a desire to get to work.

Reminding myself it is the process that is rewarding.

Once a puzzle is completed my interest quickly dissipates. That sense of satisfaction quickly fades. Often it is the same when completing an artwork.

I remind myself that it is the making, problem solving, and experimentation with materials and processes that is mysterious, compelling and engaging. It is in the making that new queries ignite and feed further investigations.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" Lao-tzu

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” Karen Lamb

These quotes always resonate with me. They are a reminder to just start. Something, anything. Set a timer for 25 minutes and make marks. I have Alyson Stanfield (https://artbizsuccess.com/acss/) to thank for using a timer. I have found it helpful in many ways, one of which is to help me begin. Often that is the most difficult thing to do.

Working on several bodies of work simultaneously

Being able to toggle back-and-forth between projects keeps my mind stimulated and interested.

Breaking down projects into specific tasks

This helps me take charge of overwhelm. Breaking down larger installation and conceptual projects into sizeable parts allows me flexibility in how to use my studio time. I can gauge my concentration level, focus and available time to choose which pieces I will work on, while knowing these will build to a more substantial art piece.

Reading art books, doing art research while physically in the studio.

Energy fuels energy. Visual ideas are sparked particularly when amidst my own work as I digest the work of others.

Finding excitement

I find I’m excited to get back in there and see where these works in progress take me. Stay tuned for some studio updates soon! Until then, please leave a comment and let me know what works for you when studio avoidance rears its head!

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