The Inner Well

Have you ever had a piece of work going so well and all of a sudden there is no creativity flowing from inside of you? Yep, been there, done that? I’m currently in the middle of that crisis.

I have an obligation to fulfill and I have become fearful of the creative outcome. I want to tune it out. I am working out of my colored pencil comfort zone. I’m working in acrylic and want instant gratification.

I need to fill the well. Julia Cameron says in her book, The Artist's Way, “the artist brain is the sensory brain: sight and sound, smell and taste, touch.”

“In filling the well…think delight. Think fun. Do not think duty. Do not do what you should do…Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery.”

Aah..yes…Think mystery, not mastery. I’m thinking mastery instead of the mystery behind the paint.

So, how can I refill the inner well? Cooking sometimes does the trick for me. Any repetitive action helps. Sometimes I’ll just sit and draw. The repetitive motion of the pencil moving back and forth is therapeutic. Listening to music is a great way to get the creative juices flowing.

Julia Cameron also states, “Our focused attention is critical to filling the well. We need to encounter our life experiences, not ignore them.” So, instead of reading while you commute to work, pay attention to what’s around you. The images you see can help refill the dried up well inside of us.

So, how am I going to refill my dried-up well? I am going to listen to some worship music. Worship music is a great tool for me because our creativity comes from God. Why not give something back to Him in the form of worship?

If you get the chance to refill your inner well, I’d love to hear how it happened.

Next time on Thoughtful Thursday, I’ll write about people who we call Shadow Artists.

Posted in Thoughtful Thursday. Updated October 14th, 2010. 2 comments so far. Share on Facebook or Pinterest.

Comments

Cheryl Chuning said:

Hi, Valerie! I tried to add a comment on "Creative Excuses" before I left for Quartz Mountain...but I am new to this and I guess I didn't type the code. Anyway, Quartz Mountain was wonderful! My inner well is filling up gradually. My class was on experimental watercolor. It was a stretch for me because I haven't done much watercolor (never with tube paint) and it was abstract. It was hard to not compare myself with others who seemed more confident (I worried over each stroke at first). However, I did loosen up and did a few paintings that I really like. I keep thinking of my little styrofoam cup of leftover paints...I want to try some more. I tried one session of yoga and watched two sunrises while I was there. The drive was a little stressful because I just don't drive far from home...but, after being there, it was funny how things caught my eye: old barns, fields of cotton, a bicycle mailbox, etc. If my creative excuses don't get in the way, I may actually start painting or drawing again! PS I have enjoyed your blogs. My watercolor instructor also referred to "The Artist's Way" and I am hoping to buy a copy soon.

Tuesday, November 2nd

Valerie Jones said:

Hi Cheryl,

I am so glad that you had a good time at Quartz Mountain. It is my goal to someday go there. I'm glad to hear that things started catching your eye, such as old barns, fields of cotten, etc. That is too cool. Once things like this starts to happen, don't forget your camera! You never know when you'll see something that is worth painting.

Let me know if you want to be a reading buddy when you start reading "The Artist's Way".

Wednesday, November 17th