I've had to change my sleep patterns and go to bed at a more civilised time - rather than staying up all hours, drawing through the night. And, I've had to get up off my arse. My ever increasing arse. Since I started drawing I've just drawn obsessively. I couldn't tear myself away from my sketchbooks. But, I've done absolutely no exercise in these last few years. Really. Nothing.
So, finally, I've decided (well, my body did) that it was time to get up out of the chair and to start moving. It's funny, people often commented about how my drawings had such a stillness to them. It makes sense really, I was sat still, very still, whilst making them.
It feels good to be moving about and I hope that in time this view, the one I've been looking at for so long, will get slimmer. However, there has been one BIG side effect; the blank page. The dreaded blank page.
19 comments:
Now you could move around and just sit for a short while to take very quick sketches. Many of your objects will be moving, so you will get movement in your pictures. Every cloud has a silver lining. Do post the quick ones!!! Best wishes!
Now you will be moving around and movement will enter your sketches :) Every cloud has a silver lining. Hugs and best wishes!
Order of importance: Living #1, Art #2. Though I frequently forget that myself. I've just resumed exercising again as well after a long stop - my belly has expanded beyond my desired limit.
I heard one artist say that one can't exercise and do art. Others say you must exercise. I think it has to be the latter. If you are not healthy, you cannot do art.
I think it is a matter of time management. You had a routine and it's been disrupted. Once you develop a new routine, the page will be very, very full, I am sure.
But even before that, just do this: always show up to do your art, and put one mark on the paper - anything - and then you'll have to do something! (And the page won't be blank.) :)
Once you make time for your exercise, you will get back to the blank page -- it's always a matter of making time, not having it. It's always a struggle to find the balance, but I'm glad you're listening to your body. Your work is so beautiful and it's your body that makes it possible. Think how much better the drawing will be with the body in better shape. I'm a minimalist exerciser and my body ALWAYS lets me know when to get up and move -- pain is a great motivator :)
And that's why I have a dog - enforced exercise! Plus I get quite a bit of inspiration for paintings while crashing through the fields and woods with him. I'm sure once you get a routine in place, the art will not suffer.
I know the feeling. It is hard to balance activity and creativity. But you can't create forever without activity. I think you did amazingly to be creative for several years without exercising. I am just getting back into exercise, again, after going through some life stresses. I still haven't found the energy to do my exercise and get back to the level of creativity I want. But that will come. Good luck in your venture of good health.
Pare off a tiny bit of that dedication/motivation/inspiration used to create art to create the healthier you. If you create from that stillness, perhaps yoga would suit? Mind/body/spirit all in one. Speaking from experience, yoga has changed everything. You will find what works for you. And whatever it is...BONUS...somehow it will inspire you even more!
Look after yourself.I know it's not always easy to achieve a comfortable balance with art and life, but anyone with your high degree of focus can do it!
Now...where's my bike?
A regular sleep pattern can go a long way. It's all about finding a balance.
Glad to hear you are taking better care of yourself. My wife and I started doing the same back in July and I have dropped 43 pounds so far. We feel better and it affects every area of our lives.
I am also in a drawing funk as I have stopped completely. Not that I am expected to or anything, my day job has me busy. That and helping my daughter as she has a broken foot.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing how this life change affects your artwork.
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I totally get it. When life stuff already takes so much of your time, what little ou have left you just want to draw draw draw & draw! Like Caroline, I have a dog. If it weren't for him, I might never leave the house!
As they say, "you go, girl." I don't think anything you put on a blank page will be without interest and wonder, quick, slow, or whatever. Just keep on keepin' on. It's what you/we do.
Some very good advice here. I'm in the same position as you: health scare = get off my butt and do something about it. Now? Gym 3x a week, plus swimming in between. Result: weight loss, more energy, more alert and energized for art. It has to be a life long commitment too. We're none of us getting any younger, even if our artistic selves are young at heart :-)
I hope you are ok. I like this drawing it's sexy!
Yes good sleep is the most important thing of half your life.
And a tip from me if you go exercising, chose the right type of exercise because some might even get you more stressed, e.g. I like to go out almost everyday for a good walk and if refreshes me just fine, I have to say that I live in the city so I see a lot of action, if I would walk in the country it might bore me to death so ... it all depends; running doesn't clear my mind at all, it frustrates me; going to the gym alone can be so boring while going with a friend, and take turns for each exercise, can be fun when you have a good friend. Also give or get a massage can be incredibly relaxing, here the same thing, some like intense flexing of muscles, while for others a gentle touch is what can make you feel as light as a bird again. ha I could go on for a while, and sometimes you just have to wait until some worries simply become less of a big deal, anyway I hope you find a good balance, between all the stuff you do.
Oh, good music can also be helpful to get you going ... don't listen to too melancholic music to often, Back Where It All Begins from the Allman Brothers Band usually gets me going again, there are plenty of other of recharging songs out there, if you think mine is silly, that's ok, I'm just saying :)
Take care.
Thanks everyone, for such kind messages. Apologies for not repling sooner too.It's not that I do not appreciate you taking the time to comment. I DO!! Reading your messages has helped so much. And, it makes me realise that I am not the only who has been through this.
So, just a great big thank YOU. I have been putting some of your suggestions into pracice and I'll blog about it soon. I did think that maybe journaling my new exercise/lifestyle regime would be a good idea. It hasn't happened yet but I have a new sketchbook here, so who knows.
Cheers.
Shucks. I even had a personal trainer. Did the gym thing three times a week, had a treadmill, elliptical trainer and recumbent bike at home. I loved it. Then I blew both knees and had three surgeries; tore my right rotator cuff twice. Three more surgeries. Guess who couldn't write or draw for months. I did learn how to write well with my left hand though. The workouts and dedicated exercise made me a better and healthier artist. Now I walk. It's not the same as jogging but it' a start, moving is good. You're an amazing artist. I believe you will find balance.
Andrea, I just looked through your photo stream on flickr and love love your drawings. I faved many of them.
Tom
Andrea, I just looked through your photo stream on flickr and love love your drawings. I faved many of them.
Tom
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