I’ve been writing a lot about how uninspired many of us have been feeling lately, and I’ve attributed it to external events that have been sapping our energy over the past year(s). But there’s another reason you might have lost your creative juju, and it’s far scarier: you’re no longer interested in your medium.
Here’s how the scenario goes…
For years, you’re so enthralled by your art that you can’t wait to get into the studio; then, suddenly, it loses its appeal. No matter how many times you explore new techniques, manufacture or remove boundaries to try and stimulate ideas, take refresher workshops, etc., your medium just doesn’t do it for you anymore.
To make matters worse, you feel like, if you give up “what you do” after investing months or years of your life, your time will have been wasted. You worry that you may never find another medium you’re as good at or enjoy as much. And, oddly enough, you feel guilty leaving your “old lover” behind.
Rest assured, it happens to many artists. And it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it can often be the catalyst for trying something completely different—and finding a whole new partner!
I don’t know if it’s a cultural or human thing, but, for some reason, most of us feel the need to work towards excellence, whether in our jobs, our personal life, or our art. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it motivates you to excel. If, instead, it causes you to doubt your self-worth, or to keep doing something that doesn’t bring you joy (especially if it involves your art!), it’s time to rethink why you’re striving and consider readjusting your goal.
There are all sorts of terms for folks who have multiple interests and creative pursuits: polymath, Renaissance man (or woman), multipotentialite, etc. And there are all sorts of articles that celebrate the quality. I found Jeff Goins’ The Importance of Changing Mediums: Why We Need More Polymaths in the 21st Century particularly interesting. “The great artists," Goins explains, “…get bored with just one medium.”
So, the next time you’re struggling to get out your paintbrush, or sewing machine, or knitting needles, or whatever it is that used to bring you joy, challenge yourself to try something completely different. And, if that doesn’t get you excited either, move onto another medium. I promise you that, eventually, you’ll find something else that makes your heart sing. It may take a while, but the journey itself will be fun, and, in the end, I’m confident you’ll fall in love again!
Purple Crayon makes it easy to re-enter the creative dating scene. In addition to offering space to see if you and another medium are a good match, we have some great workshops coming up.
In February, there are still a few seats available for Terrilynn Dubreuil's Introduction to Watercolor: Paint Your Pet on Tuesday afternoons. The class starts THIS Tuesday, 2/2, however, so, if you're interested, you'll want to register right away. With Terrilynn's playful teaching style, you're guaranteed to have a blast, whether your goal is to actually paint your pet or just learn to paint!
If watercolor doesn't interest you, we've got two other mediums to "interview."
As a follow-up to her popular Mixed Media and Collage class, Kate Corcoran will be teaching Assemblage: Adding Dimension to Your Mixed Media Art on Mondays, 3/15-3/29. (You don't need to have taken Kate's Collage class to take this one; it's open to all levels.) We're also thrilled to welcome back another one of our favorite instructors, Camille Daunno, who will be teaching Introduction to Acrylics on Tuesdays in April, 4/6-4/27.
While I can't guarantee any of these mediums will be "the one," I can promise you'll have fun dating around.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
—Pam Robbins, Owner
