The Fear of Losing the Art Mojo

Jun 3, 2015How to think like an artist, The Business of being an artist1 comment

“I used to be an artist”

When he said that, my jaw hit the floor. Jody was one of the most creatively brilliant guys in art school, and he had just told me he was no longer making work. We were maybe 5 years past graduation and I know he had been waiting tables. But I was shocked to hear that he had given up making art on his own time. He was one of the best in the art department. I mean, isn’t that why lots of artist wait tables? To be able to make art? He seemed okay with it.

IMG_2893

Sometimes, life gets in the way of making art

I have not been doing a whole lot of making lately. Maybe there is some psychological excuse of why my more pressing tasks seem to be the impending move/house rehab/car selling/setting up the new side gig seems to get in the way. Maybe I just need to overcome the simple inertia of starting a new project. Then again, it has only been a week or so.

I have a fear, that one day I will have prioritized myself away from my passion of making art.

I know it sounds silly. I don’t know why I think this. I have always made art, and I imagine I always will. That short conversation years ago will always resonate in my head like cautionary tale of how life got in the way of art. I mean hell I have even come up with ways to incorporate art into my basic life chores.

 

IMG_4886

 

I’d like to hope being an artist is something ingrained in who I am. I have always love art. Am I finding my legacy in my work as opposed to the kids I never had? I read somewhere that many of iconic female painters never had children. And I find myself hard pressed to think of any historic artist moms off the top of my head. Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Mary Cassatt (although I would have though she had kids with all those paintings of mothers with their children).

Jody passed a few years ago of cancer. I had not seen him in years, but cried none the less. Did he ever gone back to making art? I have no idea. But what I do know is his words motivated me be aware of where I am with my work. The days I am not working but, instead, tending to the tiny details of regular life, I feel a surge of panic and guilt, but never resigning to giving it up.

IMG_4833

Artist need to tend to life too.

So, I am trying to go easy on myself. But if I get more than a month out from doing any work, you guys need to start the intervention.

So, tell me. how often do you guys work normally? What is the longest period of time you have been away from your work? Did you ever fell like you were no longer an artist? Leave me a comment below, post it on the Facebook page or shoot me an email

Check my latest...

Sprouting 2015, detail

Sprouting 2015, detail

I sold one piece (woot!) but this one is still available. Loading more this week.

1 Comment

  1. Betsy Meyer

    Hi Stacey,
    Your scarves are looking wonderful! Your learning curve has hit the big time.
    Hope you are making time to take a look at Fiber Feel Day, this Saturday 9-2 at the Farmers Market on Brevard Rd. You also need to talk to someone there, probably Judi Jetson about getting on the list that’s being generated with artists, farmers, and crafts people involved in fiber arts in the region. It’s free and geared to exposing us to the people out there who could be clients. I’ll be at the shindig Sat. morning once I pick up a friend at the airport.
    Betsy

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you want to read about?

About UrbanGypZ

Fiber artist Stacey Budge-Kamison AKA UrbanGypZ lives and works in Cary NC. She can also be found knitting in public, hammering out her latest e-course at local cafés and spinning yarns in her booth at her favorite arts festivals. A designer at heart, Stacey has decided that her mission is to help fellow knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters embrace their own style and creativity by exploring fiber art as it is a part of their everyday life and helping them embrace the title of artist no matter where they are in their journey.
Buy Me A Coffee?

Buy me a coffee

Like this post? Check these out…

My Fiber Art Journal

My Fiber Art Journal

I have been keeping an art journal since I was 18. Back then I was in art school and it was my sketchbook, a requirement for all of my art classes from day one. I resisted at first, it seemed like such a frivolous task. But, I soon realized that it was key to fleshing...

Beat Procrastination and Weave the Art You Should Be Weaving

Beat Procrastination and Weave the Art You Should Be Weaving

We have all had moments when we just art not weaving the art we should be making. Usually, this can be one of 3 reasons. Hell, I can point to no less than 5 projects I am currently procrastinating on. So this has been something on my mind lately. Especially as a...

How to Make Better Fiber Art When You Feel Stuck

How to Make Better Fiber Art When You Feel Stuck

Today Fiberista, I am filled with some big gratitude, and I am sharing with you a big aha moment that kind of smacked me up the side of the head this week. I kind of think I found the secret to making better art. And it is counterintuitive and not what you would...

Read More Blog Posts

All Posts

Weaving

Spinning & Dyeing

Knitting

Crochet

Art Journal

Other Art

Art Business

Creativity

Behind the Scenes

Get The Weekly Newsletter

Updates on new classes, posts, videos and what not.

Sign up for the UrbanGypZ Fiber Arts Collective

Want to learn some my secrets? Check out my fiber art classes.

Check out my online fiber art classes!

Become a Patron

Much of what I share I offer for free because it is my mission to help build a thriving supportive art community of like minded creatives.  Please consider supporting me though my offerings or patron links.

0 Shares
Pin
Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Email
More