CREATIVE INSPIRATION
Hit a Wall?
That old, familiar creative wall and I collided last week. Maybe it’s the long winter. Maybe it was letting myself backslide into “compare and despair” thinking as I listened to the beautiful poetry of Jane Hirshfield and realized my own writing has such a long way to go. Maybe it’s the state of global politics and a(nother) war no one (least of all me) wants to be in.
Probably it’s all of the above AND a wall just appears from time to time in the lifecycle of creative people. This time I’m looking back at my history—with its walls and solutions—for guidance.
Six years ago was also a disruptive time for everyone, with quarantines and death and mass despair. I went into my March, 2020 Creative Inspiration archives, and found consolation, validation, and inspiration for me and to share with you here.
I wonder if we as a nation know who we are if we aren’t in the midst of calamity. This country’s independence was founded on war, and it seems like we return to that state of relating to each other and to the rest of the world whenever we reach a point of safety and forward momentum. I wonder if my creative wall is a response to similar situations in my personal life.
At times of transition, like Spring Equinox this week, we tend to seek new possibilities and make fresh starts. We look ahead with new eyes. Clean out our closets, discarding what no longer suits or serves us.
Artist Sara Genn wrote in her newsletter, Painter’s Keys, back in 2020: “If you’re looking for a fresh start, begin...with a sunrise, or a brisk walk first thing, or what’s outside your window. Create a new day, a new hour, a new week, a new month, a new you in a new life, and do it regularly.”
From my 2020 Studio:
Six years ago, I reproduced this poem by Ada Limon. It’s as relevant today as it was then.
I almost didn’t include this iteration of the painting I’ve been working on (and posted photos in last week’s Substack). But I’m committed to exposing backslides alongside progress in the interest of honesty for both of us! And to remind myself that I’m not giving up, and I have faith that when I climb over this wall I’ll land in a bright light.
Looking back inspires me to move forward. I’ve done it before, I can do it now. So can you. Wishing you a fresh start as Spring joins us this week. Look around for opportunities to make your day, week, or month different or new. Visit my website, https://www.CelestePfisterArts.com for more inspiration. Thank you for your support, feedback, and input—it’s what keeps me putting these little lines out into the world every week. Celeste
One more thing to think about: It’s all in your perspective.
Thank you, Celeste. I appreciate your words and reflections. These are challenging times. I especially like your painting near the end and the cartoon about perspective. Take care and best wishes for your week.
Oh the dichotomy of life, when I pull my head out of the sand I also feel untethered and can't sync with what I want to say in my art. This is a really difficult time for many of us. Do we pretend we live in a different world and make art that feels right or do we actually dig deep, connect with our pain and sorrow and make art that is deep, personal and not pretty? Not pretty is alright with me but I find my soul can't stand being in reality right now. No answers available :) !!!!