Friday, July 04, 2008

where i'm heading, i don't know


Drawing is still not coming easily to me. I sit here every night desperately wanting to draw, but feeling unable to pick up my sketchbook. The blank page is so difficult to be with. I've tried riding it out. Tried looking for inspiration. Yesterday, I simply forced myself to put pen on paper. It's a start.

15 comments:

Arco Scheepen said...

I so know the feeling...
For me it sometimes helps to switch to another medium, or try out different styles. At the moment I'm stuck at drawing, so I started trying out monotypes. Never done them before, and have a lot to discover. But I'm having a blast doing just that. What I learned about myself is that forcing myself in a direction doesn't work. So by completely sidestepping for a while can help to discover new things, but can perhaps also help to teach you a thing or two about your original path.
Cheers,
Arco

Mark Kwasny said...

Still looking for the pill that cures the impulse to keep the pens and pencils locked away. (sigh) How much beautiful art has not graced our world because of it?

Time for a cure...

Mark

Anonymous said...

Seriously, Andrea, sometimes that's all you can do. Put instrument to paper and shut off your brain. I've been there SOOOO many times.

Sending you happy vibes from waaaaaay over here :) Meg

Unknown said...

Someone said that art is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Maybe that 1% is like salt and pepper but we need (soul) food everyday. Anyway you don't know how to cook bland, even without spices :-)

Don McNulty said...

Your drawings are absolutely great Andrea, thanks for sharing.
Don

"JeanneG" said...

You just have to climb out of that slump. I need my AJ fix more often. Have a good weekend. I'm hosting the Scavenger Hunt at WetCanvas Artwork from Life Forum and one of the itmes on the hunt list is: Make a still life with a bunch of items in a box or bowl and do them ala Andrea Joseph with a link to your website for samples.

I hope your inspiration to draw returns really soon.

caseytoussaint said...

Just doing will help the urge come back usually. Your drawings are always so beautifully detailed, and they look as though you draw so easily. Does knowing how many of us out here are holding our collective breath waiting for the next one help at all?
Have I just made it worse by adding guilt? I hope not, I was aiming for encouragement....

joseph's art and stuff said...

I know what you're going through. I have to force myself to pick up the pens and make contact with a page. A deadline that is quickly approaching is forcing me even more. Keep on keeping on, your work is greatly admired by a lot of us out here. Everything you do turns into oohs and ahs to us, we're all jealous of your talent.

NJR said...

I know the feeling. But remember that you're very talented and think of this lack of drawing as a chance to refresh your creative batteries.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks so much guys, for such touching comments. Your support and encouragement always lifts my spirits. Thank you.

Casey, now I'm terrified!!! Hehe.

Jeanneg, that's exciting. I can safely say that I've never had a group of scavenger hunters look to me for inspiration before!

Cheers, everyone. I appreciate each and everyone of your visits and comments.

wagonized said...

I've never been able to draw something while forcing myself. I drop everything instead. Lately, it hasn't come easy (thanks, Ringo), but there is still a little flame burning. Once that goes out, i'll just go to a museum. Or watch a bunch of movies in a row. Or draw stuff that i will NOT put on the blog. The blog will just have to wait. The darn blog is the cause of the pressure, most of the time.
Just draw for you. Even if it's a pen, or the nth version of your Birkenstocks.

no way said...

I agree with those who mention switching to a new medium. For me, photography and painting work. But sometimes I think it's hard to even take that step. Why is that, I wonder?

Perhaps you're on the verge of a giant breakthrough?

Regardless, your work is always something I look forward to seeing. No pressure....

Teri said...

It's a great start Andrea!

Rick said...

Try drawing monsters. It's always a fun subject.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all, folks.

France, you are spot on - it's the whole drawing something that's postable isssue again, isn't it? While starting this blog has kick started my drawing 'passion' (yuk) again, it also can pile on the pressure sometimes. Forcing myself never really seems to work. Maybe this time it will? Maybe.

Rick, I can't say that I have ever thought about drawing monsters. Who knows?

Cheers for all the encouraging words, guys.