So I've spent the last couple of weeks simply reflecting and researching; where I'm at as an artist, what I want to do going forward and how I'm going to pay the rent. My approach has been to simply take time off to re-energise and get re-inspired, so I've been relaxing, watching lots of YouTube videos, doing a bit of online/article research here and there and visiting galleries. I feel this time off for self-reflection, inquiry and relaxation is essential for every artist and everyone in general - even if you get anxious because it feels like you're waisting time and you have to force yourself to indulge in some me-time.
Anyway, through this process of 'self-indulgent' me-time introspection, I had a bit of a eureka moment - that wonderful moment where all the research and what may be perceived as collected random useless 'rabbit-hole' information, has finally started to emerge as a semi-sold form... a bit like collecting water, flour, salt and some other random ingredients over a couple of days, and then mixing it all to make some gooey putty. Granted it isn't in any defined shape at the moment and I still need to adjust/balance the quantities of its ingredients, but the basics are all there and I now have some gooey putty to play with :-)
Now, although the above painting (Manet's Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe ) and the impressionist movement have something to do with my 'secret' goo, I'm not going to tell you exactly what or how it's made just yet, as I still have to refine and mould it a bit more... also, it's my secret goo and the first part of the secret is that you need to find and formulate your own secret goo for yourself.
That said, the reason I wrote this post is, I simply felt compelled to share; that if you are at point where you are frustrated/disilusioned with your current state or art/work, and are also looking for some magical goo/secret sauce that'll help you create art 'you love making and which also actually sells', keep it up because you're already on the right track simply by taking the time to read this little blog... What the last few weeks have taught me is that it's essential to take/make time to relax, reflect and research, and that the only way to come up with a new approach/way of looking at things is by exploring and playing beyond our boundaries (i.e. learn about the stuff we don't already know).
In summary, in order to re-ignite our passion for playing, we need to set aside time to find new 'goo' to play with. So relax, keep looking for new articles and other fresh, inspiring sources and remember that although not everything we come across will be inspiring or helpful, it's never a waist of time. It all helps guide and define thoughts to establish a natural path in a direction that's right for you.
So relax and don't force it because it will take as long as it needs to take for you, regardless of any self-imposed, anxiety-causing deadlines - just keep going with the me-time introspection and trust it that will all come together eventually, in just the right amount of time... well that's my experience.
Blessings and best wishes
C