Doneness

Outer-Wear © 2011 Amy Hillenbrand

  24 x 12 Oil on Canvas

I often write about getting unstuck from painters block. I received a comment the other day from a fellow artist wondering if  I have found the key to unlocking this dreadful mystery. Personally, I think the key is different for different people depending on what "lights your bulb".  Let me elaborate on the bulb comment. I am a person who enjoys the doing of something; actually being in the process of. When the item is finished, I do enjoy looking back and seeing the doneness of it, but being in the doing is what feels juicy. Oh, I know doneness is not a word, but you catch my drift. But for some people, the love of starting of something is what brings them excitement or a rush. And for others, it is the completion of something that lights them up. 

Okay, so back to unlocking the block thing. So knowing that I enjoy the doing part of things is the key to getting unstuck for me. Often I have a hard time getting started on something but once I'm in the actual "doing it" I'm humming along.  So this is what I do: instead of forcing myself into it, I picture in my mind me in the middle of painting. I will recall a time I was just flowing along being in the zone and feeling how wonderful that feels. I see my studio, I see the sun shining in the window, I hear my Pandora station playing, I feel the brush in my hands and I feel how happy and satisfied I am in that moment. It starts the juices flowing until I can't hardly wait to get my brushes and paints out. 

So whichever part of the process brings you the most juice, enough juice to light your bulb, focus on it. Make your mental picture and let the energy move you. So what is your favorite part?