Before Christmas, due to frozen then burst pipes, we suffered the effects of a flood from the unit next door to us, and although resolved and nothing was damaged due to quick action, I moved my studio into the adjacent unit further from the issue and now have more space but it has set me back in many ways creatively as I was on a roll. Making larger works for a gallery in London.
Anyone else has similar issues? I have run a couple of workshops and started to get into making pieces for a group exhibition but feel like I am two months behind - and sales are not too great.
I can understand how hard it is to get back into things when your flow gets broken, especially when you’re dealing with stuff that you can’t control. I was doing well spring/summer last year, sales were gradually picking up, i was full of ideas and enthusiasm for my work.
The autumn/winter has been horrendous here. I live in Norfolk, in the countryside and the continual rain has overflowed the ditches. I’m up a farm track and my studio is in an outbuilding. We’ve had to buy two pumps to keep the water from encroaching too near the house, the track to the house has nearly been cut off several times. I also have a few pet sheep and it’s been horrendous. Sometimes I’ve been too exhausted dealing with everything to think about art. I feel very mentally frazzled with the stress. I’ve cried more than once at the weather forecast!
It does impact your creativity, I know it will gradually come back, I’ve experienced ebbs and flows before but its very difficult when you’re in the midst of it. I really hope things pick up for you soon and you’re back creating without stress.
I think many artists have intensely creative periods and followed by creative lulls where you feel like you are just a drained battery. I tend to find I work like this and I’m not sure what to suggest other than go and do a few unrelated things you like doing and/or perhaps try something creative in a different area or new medium. Try not to worry it is just like writers block and it will clear eventually. Good luck.
