Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Aimless Drifters Unite!

As you may know I love reading art blogs. I enjoy taking a peek at the person behind the art, and watching them grow artistically. It also feels like I am reading a letter from a friend, as that is how I see a lot of the art community here.

So I thought I'd offer a peek into this artist's mind. I have been thinking about my direction in art lately. I've always believed that learning new techniques is very important for growth. I love the thrill of learning something new, and especially the friendships found in workshops, and various Ning groups. However, I seem to be drifting from one thing to the next. I am pulled in many directions: art journaling, ACEOs, mixed media, illustration, folk art...on and on... The problem is, I love all them all, and refuse to pick one or two to focus on.

Reading some blogs today made me wish for a bit of direction. Some artists talk about how they feel guided on this path, and how things just fall into place for them. They say this is an exciting adventure, and feel they are growing spiritually as well as artistically.

Am I the only one who feels kind of left out? like where is my path? and why don't I have things falling into place to let me know I am where I should be? I don't feel like I am being guided in my 'journey'. It's just me and my paints, working late into the night, trying to make the image on paper reflect the vision in my mind. It sometimes gets lonely being an artist.

I do what I do because I love it, it brings me joy, and I can't imagine a world without creating...I like to think I am inspired to do so.
Maybe the problem is I love art too much, and let myself get frustrated over the fact that there is so much I want to do, but never enough time. After working full time, doing errands, and all the other stuff that needs to be done, sometimes you think: 'why bother'?

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself, lol! The point of this post was to show people that I don't have it all together, that I am working through these issues one at a time. Things have never just magically fallen into place for me, I have to work for everything I get. It is determination, and a strong desire that keeps me going, even when I want to give up.
For those of you who can relate, just know that you don't need any outside guidance, or approval. You are enough. You have enough right now, where you are. There is no one, or nothing that can stop you but yourself. And it is your own soul, your own inner voice that will never let you down. Don't listen to the other voice that says 'its too late', or 'why bother'...that voice will paralyze you.

We're all in this together folks, so lets continue supporting each other.

*The painting above is one of my older works, before I discovered mixed media.

23 comments:

Annette Q said...

I love it...Aimless Drifters! I'm definitely one of these!
Your post really spoke to me...I can soo relate to what you've written.
I also work full time, complete with looking after my 4year old and aims to expand my family too. But I also LOVE to create. And like you I'm not sure where I'm heading to with my art.
I know that I'd love to open up an Etsy shop in the future but thats about it.
But one thing I do know, even though I sometimes feel like I'm forcing myself to create, I find it so rewarding when i do, which makes me a happier person all around.
Thank you so much for this post, for reminding me that I'm not alone :-)

Nicola said...

I to can so relate to this post! I also feel exactly like Annette too. Some days I'll wake up and feel really motivated, really creative and actually feel like I'm good at what I do. Then other days for no apparent reason I can feel the complete opposite, really insecure about my work, questioning what I'm doing and why and there's that nasty little voice in the back of my head saying 'there's no point, your not very good, don't waste your time' etc etc. But I've come to realise that because of my renewed creativeness and love of art, and this brilliant blog community, I am a happier person than I used to be and one that feels alot more content these days and I choose to ignore the nasty little voice. I don't have a direction and I don't know where my art will take me but I know that it makes me feel soooo good when I'm working on something and that is addictive! :0)

Anonymous said...

You're art is telling you your story, you are special and truly gifted. Please keep painting me and placing me in beautiful surroundings. Even though I look complexed sometimes I am here because of you. I love and adore my new animal friends and all the embellishments and I also love and adore the beautiful country side.
My life here with you, is so exciting, I get to be in the most beautiful places and the best of all is in your heart!

Art by Darla Kay said...

I'm an aimless drifter too but I'm sure having fun along the way.
I've taken painting classes, mixed media, doll making and right now, calligraphy. If nothing else, I am a well-rounded Michaels customer for life! LOL
Love what you create, it's a joy to see!

Pam of Always Artistic said...

Great post! I can relate to wanting to try it all! lol Beautiful painting!

Kelly said...

Oh...you are right inside my head! I've been thinking about this for the last few weeks...in particular. Thinking that my art should have some singular voice or direction...that I can't do all things. I was dismissing myself as a dabbler: dabble in oils, dabble in collage, dabble in dolls...etc.
But I think that it's really just that everything excites me; I want to try it all and not have to decide on any one thing.
And I completely hear you on the frustration of having time enough for my art. It truly seems sometimes like the universe is conspiring against me. I am absolutely an Aimless Drifter. My mother used to call me Walter Mitty and told me I had my head in the clouds. She always said I needed to choose a direction in life and stick with it. I kind of did. I'm an artist and an aimless drifter too!
Thank you for making me feel not-so-alone in that.

Sueann said...

I too travel many roads! But the goal is the same; to express myself. I love all the art forms and I, so far, am unable to chose just one. Just can't do it! So I continue to travel and immerse myself in the art! Such as it is!
Hugs
SueAnn

Julia said...

I completely agree. I too feel like I am the only one sometimes without a direct path. I think most artist feel this way sometimes because we are constantly thinking of new creations. It can get frustrating. So I understand.

Renee said...

You I love. I think to paint because you love it is a good enough reason.

xooxo

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Betty, I just love your Dorothy
Thank you for being "here..
YOu are one special lady..
If you wish to delete the last post you may.
Don't give up no matter what. seems as if everyone is going thru a phase..
Your are great and your art speaks to the world around you..
Love ya.. Darlene xo

Marlene said...

The more I read blogs the more I realize how alike we all are. I too seem to flit from thing to thing and have trouble landing on one type of art. I have decided that it is okay to be that way and maybe that is my path - to try new things that make me happy. That is not such a bad path. When Me and my two sisters were growing up I was always envious of their talent, both are very artistic and one is very musically inclined as well. I always felt that I could do art and play music but just so so, My mom always told me, that I should not be envious because I had the brains (I was a straight A student) - I really did not get into art seriously until 2 years ago even though I "dabbled in arts and crafts my whole life" I'm coming up on 60 and I am just happy to have my art and the friends I have made in the art community - My life fills very full and I feel fulfilled.

Pam of Always Artistic said...

Darlene,

I think the reason for so little comments is just that people haven't discovered you! Beautiful artwork, you are very talented!

Amy Perrotti said...

You are a creative gift to the world. You experiment because you have to. Thank you for your words of encouragement to all of us. It has become a rather lonely business, being an artist, working from home, for me too. It is important to have artist friends for support. Thanks for reminding me of that. :)

Unknown said...

You are definitely not alone in these feelings, I think we all have them from time to time, It's nice to now that it is completely natural to have these feelings! I have so many different art projects going at one time I don't finish all of them!, My husband says I could open up a craft store and totally compete with Micheals! LOL! Your art is wonderful and you should allow yourself to create anything your little heart desires! :D
Thank you for visiting me and your encouraging words, yeah, sometimes we don't fit in, in one place of the world but I think we all have our place to fit into at some point in our lives and I have definitely found mine and it seems you have found yours, and all we go through are just stepping stones to make us better!

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Great post! I'm an Aimless Drifter too! I've enjoy the growth I've seen in your art. You are very talented. I so understand how it feels to be unguided through this creative journey. The unknown direction for me makes mixed media all the more fun! Thanks so much for your sweet visit! Have a lovely day!

Hugs,
Lisa :)

Rainey J. Dillon said...

yes. it's craziness that's what it is! You can't just summon it or time it. I've just come back EARLY from my studio having achieved NOTHING & I've a market to go to in the morning! AAAAGH I hate this!But if my muse is on timeoff then that's just the wayit is. Makes you want to cry sometimes especially when you SHOULD have stuff done!Other days of course the muse keeps me awake all freakin' night!

Rainey

Renee said...

Thank you dear friend.

xoxo

Kelley said...

great post!I too jump from one thing to the next..sometimes I am art journaling like crazy, other times it's a painting, or my writing, then photography. And even now I am now learning to knit and sew..I want to do it all..LOL so I can really relate..it's nice to know I am not alone..btw thank you for the sweet comment you left on my blog..and no worries my radio show will be back in the spring..better then ever! xoxo Kelley

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!
I was having major guilt today - because I am starting to head in a new direction artwise... AGAIN! In everything else in life I have my ducks in a row... but when it comes to my 'art journey' I feel like I am in a free fall. It is nice to see I am not alone... and that it is ok. Your post really spoke to me. I am just going to keep focusing on the learning for learning sake and of course, the fun of it all. Thank you for the guidance today ;)

readingsully2 said...

Sometimes I feel very frustrated, Betty. It it is like I don't know what to do first. I have always gotten bored easily. So, I am always thinking up new ideas, but get frustrated about that too. Sometimes my drive is not what it should be. But, I have seemed to have focused in on photography....at least for now. If I do art....I tend to favor my mixed media pieces and some of my paintings....notice I said some. Being self-taught and new to all of this can also be frustrating. But what gives me joy are my friends I have made through Etsy and through blogging. That is what keeps me going. :)

Odd Chick said...

this post totally resonated with me. I also love art "too much" and go with it in a million directions, no clear path and I have also wondered if I was the only one. You are so talented, and it helped me to see that someone such as yourself still feels a little aimless sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Love your snow flake blog, by the way! Beautiful!