I’ve barely even wet my paint brushes over the last two weeks, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about painting. It seems like I’m starting to look at everything and think, “how would I paint that?”. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it sure does keep my brain busy.

This is the time of year that I tend to have a lot of bad headaches, and I just can’t make myself bend over my painting table when my head feels like it’s splitting apart. Instead, I flex my painting muscles by thinking about how I could paint something if I was painting. I think this is helping me think more like an artist and developing my artistic vision.

I’ve also been getting inspiration and education from watching videos of various artists. I love to see how artists think and make their decisions while creating their art. Every artist is different, and I learn something from each one.

Rushing water with quote: β€œI dream a lot. I do more painting when I’m not painting. It’s in the subconscious..” ~Andrew Wyeth

Best of all, I’ve finally had the chance to get outside and enjoy nature again! I love being outdoors when it’s nice out, and we’ve had some beautiful weather lately. We went for a walk on the trails Saturday, and I got out and cleaned up my garden beds on Monday to prepare them for this year’s garden.

Being out in nature can be so inspiring! In fact, I’d say that’s my biggest source of inspiration. I just look at the beautiful creation all around me and can’t help but feel the desire to create something.

Now I just have to translate that desire into actual doing. Hopefully the burst of inspiration I’ve gotten from my outdoor time this last week or two will help me get back to my painting table and back to actually painting.

Where do you find inspiration for your chosen art form? Please share!

6 responses to “When I Don’t Feel Like Painting”

  1. markmkane Avatar

    I liked this post Terri because I thought I was the only one that felt that way. There will be times when I sit in front of my computer with the mindset that I must write something today otherwise it’s a failure of my pursuit of being a true writer, but sometimes that does not translate to me actually doing it. I sit there for minutes on end and nothing flows out in the consistent manner that I’m used to. I force myself to write something but that ends up being deleted because it’s probably the worst thing I ever wrote or it did not make sense whatsoever. Thanks for sharing your experience and maybe I will go outside myself or do something completely different to find my inspiration.

    1. Terri, I Wanna Be An Artist Avatar

      Thanks so much for your comment Mark! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has those times when things just seem to be blocked. For me, sometimes I think my perfectionist tendencies cause problems with that. I’m so scared of messing something up that I just don’t do anything. I hope you were able to find some inspiration by doing something different, and that you and your family are doing well!

      1. markmkane Avatar

        I feel like that too Terri but I’ve come to realize that sometimes messing up helps us in a way that makes us better if that makes any sense. Keep on doing you and everything’s going to be fine.

      2. Terri, I Wanna Be An Artist Avatar

        You’re absolutely right Mark! I try to maintain a growth mindset and not worry so much about the results, but I do find myself being disappointed when projects don’t turn out the way I want them to. I guess I’m still one of those unfinished projects. πŸ™‚ Thanks for the encouragement my friend!

  2. Ionia Froment Avatar

    I really enjoy reading your posts. This is a wonderful blog. I do the same. I look at everything and come up with a process, even if it’s something I won’t ever actually paint.

    1. Terri, I Wanna Be An Artist Avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind words Ionia! I think that coming up with the process for painting things, even if we won’t ever paint them, helps us when it comes to things we actually DO paint. I know it’s helping me learn to look at things differently when I’m painting… Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. Blessings to you!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!