The use of art/ image-making in uni life, workshops and in a therapeutic context with others means I have neglected my own art practice for the last little while (When i say neglect- I still draw and make stuff but way less than I otherwise would). I haven't had the brain-space to throw myself into my own personal art.
Of late I have been asking myself questions. I have a stirring for something. I don't fully know what it is. A different door to walk through? I feel like a life chapter or chapter in my art practice is changing, ending, adapting...something.
This post is partly a cry for advice- are you a creative that has felt creatively 'flat' or 'dead' and had to revive your practice? Have you felt the dull familiarity of a 'same old' approach? (btw, 'same old' works, obviously it's used so much for that exact reason. It works. But it does get 'old') How did you find renewal?
I remember being 17 and getting told in art at school that I was allowed to use any medium I liked for that particular unit. I chose biro and pencils and it was like fireworks went off in my head. I pretty rapidly and excitedly created a few big drawings and it wasn't technique driving me; it was pure emotion. I will never forget the exhilaration of the 'first' time I got to use those materials.
It might be futile to want that feeling of excitement back again. I wonder if it can be found in another material? Partly it feels like actively looking for 'new' somehow already ruins the mystery; i'd much prefer to accidentally stumble upon it and find it without trying. How does one carry on in the hopes of discovering 'new' in their art practice? I've been pushing myself slightly, though: I tried a rough drawing-what-i-see exercise ( I drew my Nana's kitchen..my practice is usually deliberately only drawing what I can't visually see) and it was actually fun. I've also done a throwing/ clay workshop which I found challenging and interesting. So perhaps it's more little new things on the road to discovering a big new approach. I don't know......
any ideas about redeeming/ renewal/ refreshing in art practice are extremely welcome!
PS Thanks for being here/for reading/ much appreciated. :)