If you are an artist, you have to make art.
Whether you like it or not, it's something you just have to do.
Whether you like it or not, it's something you just have to do.
"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself" - Abraham Maslow
So FIND THE TIME,
FIND THE SPACE and
GET ON WITH IT!
Swiftly wheel yourself away from the computer.
Right now!
Stop making excuses like ...
I'm creatively blocked.
I have no energy.
I have no time to myself.
Its too hot... South Africa's heat ..blah blah blah
Just get on with it.
You are an artist.
You make art.
The sooner you accept that, the better for everyone.
Swiftly wheel yourself away from the computer.
Right now!
Stop making excuses like ...
I'm creatively blocked.
I have no energy.
I have no time to myself.
Its too hot... South Africa's heat ..blah blah blah
Just get on with it.
You are an artist.
You make art.
The sooner you accept that, the better for everyone.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom". - Anais Nin
61 comments:
Thanks Robyn, I'll do something right now. The computer is definitely an art time user, but it's also very inspiring to visit other sites.
A very timely post Robyn. Simon and I were discussing this last night. I was moaning because I'm not feeling motivated to create anything, and it's making me grouchy! Simon was saying how he finds it too difficult to achieve what he wants and is thinking of giving up! He doesn't consider himself an artist. Ha!
http://fallenangelsocialclub.blogspot.com/
Thanks for giving me a kick in the right direction.
indeed! it is so true!
I love your art and adore the varigated colours of the shells in your totems.
xo
Oh thank you!! I really, really need to hear this right now. The computer is so addictive!!!
I love the connection with others, but yes, it can take away from your own making at times!!!
Off to make some art :)
Amelia.x
YES!
Was in my studio today. It was HOT, but the time slipped by and after 3 hours a pile of nipped tiles lay on the table and a design had been drawn on the board.
Thankyou Robyn.
I loved reading this! Thank you for the inspiration. I was feeling a little stuck, and this helped get me "unstuck". Thank you!
Thanks for the nudge; I needed that :) I love visiting here. The tribal art is so beautiful; very moving to me. Thank you for sharing so much.
well that is a kick in the butt :)
i still can't rectify the marketing aspect...takes all the creativity away. excuse? maybe...but i've yet to have the psychic space for both at the same time.
Ro, the internet inspires me no end! I just have to find the balance.
Jo, I was giving myself a pep talk since I am tiring myself out with all the inner whinging.....and a fair amount of outer whinging too. This morning I took heed and worked for a few hours before scooting back to the computer just for a peek. The fact that I've given you a kick in the right direction is a bonus.
great post Robyn! I am in the studio from morning to night mon thru fri. It is my passion but it is also my work. art pays bills. the best thing I did was to move my computer out of the studio. now, I check emails twice a day or sometimes at lunch as well, but I limit my time to a half hour. Before that it was really ruling my life, a crazy playmate gone amuck!! the balance is the key and each artist must find their own way. xo
ok, i shall wheel myself away from the fun of discovering on this screen.....enjoying the totems, again, lovely tones au natural and branches from the head to protect.
off to play with my BRAND NEW CAMERA!! AND finish a little tiny painting.
Robyn, your work is stunning and magnificent.. I just love seeing it!
One of my favorite quotes by Anais Nin.. your post is quite timely. I am in a Marketing ning group with KC Willis and her motto is no excuses.. just do something. So true.
Judy,thanks so much..
Amelia, it's wonderful being able to connect with people so easily.
HHnB, well done working in the heat. I'm sure it's hotter where you are. We'v had over a week of around 40C. I've managed to get through quite a bit of work in spite of the heat. Good feeling!
Gina, I'm so glad! Happy creating.
Marilyn, we blog to encourage each other.
I love this post. I believe I am an artist buried deep inside this computer geek. I know we had talked about this earlier via email and you had suggested that I do something, anything small and get started. I keep meaning to clear an area in my basement and make my 'art studio' and do something. I need to make time to do it.
I am going to print this post and tape it to my mirror.
Thank you :)
So glad to see most of us are afflicted with the computer virus :) and I don't suffer alone. You're right Robyn about trying to find balance I'm trying to do the same. Thanks for this post.
ART ON!
Going right now...thanks for the push! You are great!
Oh yes.
Well said!
Robyn- first, your totems are wonderful and inspiring!
And second, you're right; I'm getting off the computer right now!
This is all so true, I have created strategies to avoid the post christmas block...and so far so good. Thanks for expressing it all so well.
seeing your wonderful assemblage/carvings is inspiration-- and we as artists all need the occasional 'kick in the butt'
just the kick in the pants i needed! tired is a state of being for me anymore...but must push through. art journaling just for me is my new thing...which feels really strange...art just for me?? hmmmm. still miss my days in the studio, but a time for every season, right?
Love the artwork!
LOL... I could use this reminder ALL the time! Thanks for posting it.
Ta Da!
I agree absolutely with this Robyn. It is so easy to sit back thinking about creating - what one needs to do is get out there and do it.
Wow those three totems take my breath away!!!...Paint pots will be out in the next 30 mins! Best wishes Blu x
oh heart full of thanda to you!
blessings.
Your totems have so much soul. I have a big scrap of cedar that has been whispering to me to do something with it. I wish I could give it to you to make something marvelous. I love the quotes here too, especially the last one.
LOVE the title!
Whee~
Thanks for all of your encouragement these past few years, my friend.
{{hugs}}
Oh, I've really been trying to do this. Must do this. Must do this. Must. (hand reaches theatrically for a pencil and paper ... a deep sigh is heard ... no, it's time to work on the volunteer writing project ... maybe this qualifies as art) YES!@ (oh, my word verification is "ulkersup" and I think it's a terrific word!)
Go girl! I'm not sure if this was a little chat with yourself or encouragement for others but either way, it sounds like VERY sound advise to me. xx
Thanks Robyn for a much needed nudge. Somehow I slid out of Photoshop & over to Blogger.....I'm going to sleep now so I can get up early & get some art done. Your totems are great!
Yep,
this cuts through the tons of crap, the "process" books.
It is an urge,
it began at age eleven.My hands would not stop tingling.
Sometimes I have to shut the computer off and go make art.
I did what you advised yesterday and shut down the computer and shut up and got on with the thing that I had been putting off for weeks, the part of my writing that never seems as interesting as the first flash of ideas that arise from free flow. A stack of notebooks from last year needed re reading to find the treasure they contained and then the longer pieces from them needed typing up. Phew!! I actually did a whole batch and found a few pieces I had forgotten about.
So, thanks for the reminder.
My goodness, its good to hear I am not alone in two things; firstly I keep making excuses about achieving what I want and secondly I too also don't consider myself to be an artist. I will however get on with what I have had in my mind for a while now...... Thanks Robin. the inspiration for me came from the pictures of your work more than anything else. Regards Dave
Okay, I needed that! So often I have been inspired to create after reading your posts. And you bring us such inspirational works...but, Robyn, how is your art coming? Are the pieces featured here new creations?
Thanks, I needed that! Actually I am pretty good about sticking with studio days but sometimes they get shorter than expected so here is to a LONG studio day.
Your three images below are wonderful!
yes, the words "step away from the computer" should be heeded more frequently! excuses so frequent, avoidance so fatal...I am going to go create now! thank you.
Thanks Robin, I must put this post in the desktop of my computer to remind me what things are prioritary. Sometimes you got so many things to do that you don't know where to start :(
Thanks again for the little push.
Carlos.
I printed 2 copies of this posting. one for my computer, one for my art wall.
Thanks!
Joanie
Perfectly stated Robyn! And it is so great to see some shots of your work!
The Anais Nin quote is a forever fav...the advice also.
"If you are an artist, you have to make art. Whether you like it or not, it's something you just have to do."
I tell people all the time, creating isn't something I just do, it is something I am driven to do...and I'm just a wannabe artist. It isn't something that can be controlled, it is something that grows from your soul.
Well said, Robyn!
I do understand about all of the wonderful blogs out there. One could almost live in their computer chair!
Your totems are gorgeous!
Have a wonderful art filled week!
Gaby xo
I just discovered your blog and loved your last post... and this one too. The computer can take over in life and the business of twitter and facebook seem unending however there is nothing like the work of creating and we must guard that time carefully.
Yes.... when it's in your soul and it calls out to you each day.... you've got to do it!
Your work is so inspiring Robyn!!
However did I miss this? I know I was away, but how true, sometimes finding the oomph to get going is the hardest part. I have days when I just cant get anything together and it is easier to sit, read, sit on the computer, especially when it is hot.
Amen, sister!
Paula, I agree about the marketing aspect! I find it draining.
Cat, you've made some good points that I'm going to follow.
Neva, as soon as I've visited a few blogs I'll wheel away from the computer ..... I mean it this time!
Thanks so much Lisa.... and yes, no excuses!
Pink Dogwood, don't even worry about clearing the basement. It's too daunting. Sit at your kitchen counter and make something...... or doodle in a moleskin while everyone is watching TV. You will be amazed at where a doodle can take you. Phone doodling is a constant surprise to me.
Maya, that's exactly what it is. I hadn't thought of calling this affliction a computer virus.
Renee... Yeh!
Leanne, next time you can give me the push.
Pamela, thankyou. I will say it frequently.
Sharmon, thanks so much.
Sue, this year I failed dismally and the christmas block set in.
Donna, there is a point where excuses don't hold .
Amy, you work full time so you are entitled to flop when you get home.
Deb, we can all use the reminder!
Leslie ;-)
Weaver, it sounds so simple doesn't it?
Blu, I'm coming to check up on you. Post the results on your blog please.
Mansuetude, blessings to you.
Thanks Lisa at Greenbow.
DJ, you can talk dear girl! You scared the bad art teachers out of my mind for good.
Femminismo, are you still there? Well at least your word verification is imaginative.
Kenda, it was time for a pep talk!
Shimmeringshack, my saving grace is I havn't tried photoshop. That would be the end for me.
Grrl, you do what youb gotta do.
Annie, feels good doesn't it?
Thanks Dave, I'll be over to check on your work.
Curio, I havn't posted new creations in a while because I am doing a lot of repetition. Buyers order things that have already sold so I carve something as close to the original as possible. April is the month for new ideas!
Thanks Mary Ann, when reading your blog I have noticed that you are fairly disciplined. It helps!
Dianne, I was never like this until the computer came along!
Carlos, its easy to become overwhelmed when you take on too much. Balance is what you need!
Joanie, really? Maybe I should put it on my art wall too.
Seth, it was time.
Merci33, there are many Anais Nin quotes that I like.
A creative dream, and something that niggles at the back of your mind until you do something about it.
Gaby, my computer chair could become my new home. It's very comfortable for nodding off in too.
Fine sentiments Robyn!!!!
I agree whole heartedly!!! I only hit the computer for inspiration and to keep in touch with all my lovely blogger friends...like you for example! Yeah it might take me a million years to get round to you after you've posted something up on your blog (am I number 51 on the comment's list, ha ha?). But it's because I'm in hte studio doing what you said we should be doing! Lol!
I doodle at work constantly when I am on the phone or when I am thinking through a problem. I should post some of my doodles :)
I thought I had you there! I should have known you were producing. I'll have to go visit your old posts to see more of your work and I really hope April is my month of new ideas as well! xox
First visit and wow! love those commands -- just do it! I facilitate a writer's group and I should listen to my own words, ha! Procrastination leads to paralysis -- we all need to be reminded of that frequently -- Beautiful work, Robin!
Beautiful - words and images.
I. LOVE. YOUR. VOICE. And your message. I'm going to print this out and put it on my work place soft board. Which doesn't exist as of now. But soon will. Thank you for this post. My permanent comment on your blog might as well be 'Thank you' :) I was worried these days if I have that dreadful disease called 'internet addiction' but we will not ponder- just move butt and do other things :)
Thank you Robyn. I have spent too many hours on the computer today. I'm signing off right now and going to dye some fabrics. Have a great weekend! Chris
'I need all my energy to be what I am today' and 'not try to do what I don't do'. Robyn, thank you for sharing these wise words! They have struck a cord with me as I spread myself so thin over all of the things I think I should do and the persons I think I should be.
Thank you.
Well said, Robyn!
Thanks for this post....seems like I have been in a "funk" for a while and your post is inspirational. BTW...I love your work
Oh, Thank you. So good to hear.
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