blockage
So I'm an artist. I draw and paint, mostly. I have been doing digital art more often recently, but i do have a day job and lots of adult responsibilities. I also have depression.
It's making it extremely difficult to finish pieces of art. I have a goal of trying to do one digital painting a month, and I"m always struggling to meet it. It used to be really easy for me to create things when i was younger. I got to spend a lot of mental energy on my art. I think part of the reason i struggle with it nowadays is that i am too critical of my own work. i am afraid of messing up or having my art look weird.
perfectionism leads to avoidance. i don't know. it doesn't feel good. I want to be back to making things without the pressure that i put on myself. but I also don't know how to stop.
@affableStrings4654
Hey there,
I can totally relate to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Sounds like you're doing your best to balance your art with all the other stuff in your life. That's a lot to manage!
It's totally okay to take a break from your art when you need to. Sometimes, stepping away can help you come back to it with fresh eyes and renewed energy.
Remember, creating art is supposed to be fun. Don't get too caught up in the pressure to be perfect. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and express yourself.
If you're feeling really down, it might be helpful to talk to a therapist. They can provide support and guidance as you navigate your emotions.
You're not alone in this. Keep going, and remember to be kind to yourself.
@affableStrings4654 Hey there, it sounds like your art has become a duty or even a chore for you and when that happens then the inspiration will naturally dry up. You said perfectionism leads to avoidance so you've identified already yourself what the problem - or part of it - is.
What you do to resolve this depends on a few things. For example, if you rely on producing art for an income then motivating yourself to carry on might be a better strategy, whereas if you don't, then maybe you could take the pressure off yourself by taking a break from it altogether, or at least not imposing this one-a-week target on yourself.
Another question is where inside you, you typically paint from. If you normally paint from a place of joy or serenity then it's maybe about managing your expectations when you are depressed. But if you normally paint from a place of pain or sadness, then maybe you could paint the frustration and depression you are experiencing, letting the art be whatever comes out as that expression.
Also, would a change in medium be possible? Perhaps going from digital art to physical painting, drawing, modelling etc might release something that's stuck. Also painting or drawing with the left hand (if you're right handed, or vice versa) could avoid that need for perfectionism and allow you to just express what's inside.
Whatever you can do to take the pressure off yourself to do something you might not feel like doing at a time you don't want to do it, especially something like art that comes from inspiration, is gonna help. In a way, self care is an art form in itself!