How do you cope with a bad painting day?

[Patricia Joyce]

Kimber,


Ive learned that life is like the practice of Hatha yoga, ( a practice of holding poses which increase flexibility and limber your spine thereby giving you more energy). I can be sooo limber once day, then all of a sudden I hit some kind of wall, I wake up and find I cannot touch my toes anymore! In Hatha Yoga they encourage you to be patient, pull back a bit, but never stop the practive, and know that what is happening is a growth period which will allow your body more flexibility once you have moved through it.

I've learned that this applies to everything in my life! When I am experiencing what feels like a set-back, it is really a moving through the fog into the light of new knowlege and ability.

You have grown a great deal as an artist in the past couple years. It has been fun to witness here on the forum. Trust the process, do not succumb to fear, and you will be feeling brilliant again soon. I promise!!!

[Heidi Maiers]

Interesting topic Kimber, and one most of us here can relate to. I am just thankful I don't have deadlines because I never know when I'm going to have those "moments of clarity" or how long they will last.
Sometimes, I can go into the studio and see exactly what needs to be done - and for 10 minutes I can sculpt perfectly, effortlessly, at lightning speed - such a wonderful feeling. Then of course, I get distracted, lose my focus and later try to force that clarity when it's "time" to sculpt. Never fails that I then spend the next 15 hours straight, methodically destroying my piece, causing myself a ton of rework until I'm so frustrated I can't even look at the piece and I leave the room in disgust. If I would only sculpt during those few moments of crystal clarity, I could get so much more done!