Have you ever been in a position where you’ve ‘had to‘ create but the mojo just wasn’t with you?
Well, that was me in my second drawing class.
It wasn’t that the topic wasn’t interesting (it was); or that I wasn’t capable of undertaking the task of the lesson (previous experience suggests I am able); it’s just that I wasn’t feeling it. Admittedly I was tired, but usually I can ignore/postpone that for something I really want to be part of.
During my RMIT degree I came to understand that I wasn’t designed to be at my creative best in the company of others. I found workshops difficult and stifling – all that creativity in one room is distracting, and I need mental and sonic quiet to find my ideas. And while I’m fine when actively learning in company (otherwise university would have been impossible, not to mention school!), sometimes I just can’t find the flow when it’s time to put it into practice in class ….
I have a plan to doodle a bit during the week, to unblock it a little; and I have every faith that the feel/flow will be with me next class.
If you have any tips for recovering the lost mojo when in a workshop (where you’re paying for the time and want the best out of it!), please do share.
Melbourne Jeweller 
When I am in that spot, there is only one thing to do and that is just do it. Don’t think about it, don’t analyse it don’t judge it. What you are doing is practicing. Like learning an instrument you need a thousand hours of practice to master it. Not every minute of practise is brilliance, but it is honing your craft through thick and thin, and making yourself push through the bits that are hard. X. You never know sometimes your best work can come out if these places.
Thank you Karen.
Just pushing through has been the way I’ve always done it – in a workshop that is; but when I’m at home on my own that’s the time I just put the pencil down and go for a walk.
Of course you push through, that is what we do with fatigue, but remember to try and not to judge and just practice. I find I get to critical about the marks I make and either freeze up or give up. When I tried not to make art each time and just drew I found it came much easier.
Yes yes, you’re right – it’s the judging that creates most of the difficulty. I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks Karen! I trust your creativity is blooming 🙂