I have had such a block in the studio in the last month. Then on Friday, I had just given myself a lecture along the 'just do it' vein...you know: "just get in the studio, see what happens- you never know unless you try, I'm sure you're not a complete wash-out..." etc. etc. Just as I was getting up from the computer, who should I get an email from but the lovely and so very talented Cathy Nichols. Just a quick hello- with a little unsolicited compliment on my work that was just the thing I needed to get myself going on that particular day. This little (5x5") piece came rolling out- the kind of happy accident that makes me think "Maybe these aren't accidents...maybe I know what I'm doing and should trust myself to be able to keep doing it!"
The truth is, I still struggle greatly with what kind of work I'm doing, and whether it's good enough, or serious enough...whether it's 'real' art. I wonder if I should be working larger, or more abstractly (or more tradtitionally), or with deeper, more intellectual subject matter. I wonder if I need to prove to everyone that I really can draw/paint in hyper-realism -- that I studied all of that and know my masters and techniques. But then I find a piece that just reels out and makes me feel great and I just know is good and real. I'm thankful for these pieces...and I'm thankful for blogging about them- because I know that when I'm stuck or spiraling again, I can come pack to this post and get my perspective back in order.
