Posted by whiterabbit on May 11, 2003, at 19:27:09
In reply to JYL, posted by slinky on May 11, 2003, at 16:52:57
Artist Block - it's a real curse but almost inevitable when you're depressed, because painting requires inspiration, energy and focus,
all the things that depression sucks right out of you.When I was not painting (or doing much of anything else), a friend managed to drag me out to a local arts-and-crafts fair. I wandered around trying to look interested, although I was never much into the country-crafty stuff that most people had to sell. Then I found a long table full of painted wooden boxes and while I was looking them over I thought, "Well if I can't paint a picture, I could do this."
So I painted boxes for a couple of years with different designs and faux finishes. I was able to do this much because the boxes didn't require much "vision" or long-term concentration. Even though I can't really say that I enjoyed painting the boxes...because I wasn't capable of enjoying anything at that point in my life...I did feel better about painting these boxes than painting nothing at all. I would give them away for gifts and they just knocked everybody out, and I was glad for that because it was the only way I had left to show people that I cared - since I was isolating myself.
Maybe you can find your "wooden boxes"...some kind
of creative work that can hold your interest for short periods of time. Just think about it and tell yourself, "If I can't paint a picture, I can do this." It does help.
-Gracie
poster:whiterabbit
thread:225880
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030506/msgs/225921.html