Since way back before the holidays, I have been creatively dry. There, I said it. I hear others speak of it. I know it happens. But truly, creative dryness isn't something that has ever really plagued me before. Until now. So my etsy shop has sat empty, my Flickr albums are the same old photos they've been for a very long while, my studio door gets passed by a lot.
Seems I had forgotten about the absorption process . . . you know, that state where you are completely immersed and absorbed in your creativity and do not allow yourself to be waylaid by distractions and interruptions. I had just been doing that for way too long . . . putting all those distractions first, not realizing how fatal they were to my creativity and the getting lost in process.
BUT . . . no more!
For the past two days I have become absorbed in my art. And it is a healing balm to my soul, really. I've been stockpiling pieces for my Etsy shop (which I will list soon...and some great new/old supplies), coming up with ideas for workshops I will be teaching in France later in the year, pulling together items for Somerset . . . I'm going a little crazy here, to be honest.
And it feels so good! Here's one piece to share with you . . .
Remember, one of my 2008 goals is to create artwork and craft pieces that are more than just putting more art and craft pieces out there . . . so when I ran across this little line in one of my vintage poetry books, it came off the page and into this piece. Contentment is a decision. And what if we made a purposeful decision every morning before we got out of bed to be content, no matter what? Wouldn't the people who have to live with us rush to give us big bear hugs for that?
Thank you Rebecca for your honesty...I have been creatively dry it seems for over a year. It's truly difficult. I am going to take your word "absorbed" to heart and try to do that with my creativity. Hugs to you :)
Posted by: Michelle Hart | 31 January 2008 at 09:30
I have begun reading the Little House books to my kids, and last night we finished Little House in the Big Woods. At the end of the book, Laura writes: "But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods. She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth, the fire-light gleaming on his brown hair and beard and glistening on the honey-brown fiddle. She looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting. she thought to herself,
'This is now.'"
I am striving this year to be happy in the moment and to be content with who I am and where I am and what I have. Reading your inspiring words this morning really touched me. Thank you for sharing yourself on your blog.
:)Anne
Posted by: anne | 31 January 2008 at 09:30
preach on sista!
i love it!
& yes i'm doing the happy dance that you'll open back up your etsy shop!
or was the lag in the stocking of etsy trying to teach us contentment.....sigh
Posted by: paige | 31 January 2008 at 09:59
I truly believe contentment and happiness can be a choice we make...thank you for sharing your thoughts with us...Again.
Posted by: Leah C. | 31 January 2008 at 10:29
Everything you said strikes a chord in me! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: jerusalem | 31 January 2008 at 10:38
It sounds like now what is in your heart will start pouring out. I commend you on not putting art out there just to do it, you know for money or whatever, I feel that is done a lot by people and you can see the reflection of that in their pieces. When it is meaningful it will be beautiful, just like this piece you just did.
Happy creating!
Teresa
xo
Posted by: Teresa~French Poppy | 31 January 2008 at 10:55
Ditto Leah C.
Posted by: Cindy | 31 January 2008 at 11:11
What a lovely sentiment and what a beautiful piece that exudes peace! Glad your drought is over! - Amy Bauer
Posted by: sadie527 | 31 January 2008 at 12:55
Very well put. Contentment is the theme of my year :) I am battling with extra weight from having my 2nd child via c-section and decided to be content. Because after the weight is gone and I am healthy again there will always be something else to be discontent about. So I am Decidely Content! Welcome back :)
Posted by: RFriedl | 31 January 2008 at 14:20
"Contentment is a decision."
As much as I know this to be true... I needed to hear this today. Thank you! :)
Posted by: Petra Carden | 31 January 2008 at 14:33
Hi Rebecca! On the way to school today my dd's and I prayed to help us to contine to choose happiness for our days and to not get caught in the "wishing for more trap"! It is sooo nice to see/read someone else thinking the same way! yeaaa!
Posted by: janis | 31 January 2008 at 14:34
AMEN! Sweet girl, you! I am so with you... I too, have felt that creative "dryness"... I just updated my blog last night, since Silver Bella! Oh, that's so bad! ;) I have been in the studio today being creative (or trying to be), it's definitely been more productive than the last few months! IT FEELS SO WONDERFUL!
You speak the words so beautifully!
Have a wonderfully creative, art and soul-filled day!
Hugs,
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon J | 31 January 2008 at 15:37
What a fabulously gorgeous piece. Isn't it lovely to feel new life breathing into the creative process?
Posted by: Casii | 31 January 2008 at 15:45
i know my family would! thanks always for your gentle reminders to keep the main thing the main thing.
Posted by: psmullican | 31 January 2008 at 15:53
Glad to see you crafting again and I so cannot wait for you to get more items in your shoppe! I know I will try to beat the rush and actually get something this time other than a sign that says sold out! That really can kill a girls day! LOL!! Love your beautiful work. God Bless!
Posted by: Alicia Sharp | 31 January 2008 at 16:16
So perfectly said Rebecca and I just love your creative piece too! I can't wait to see what you pop in your Etsy shop in time to come.
Many thanks for the lovely little email you sent too . . . as someone who has admired your work for such a long time, knowing that you have taken the time to write those words - just to me - on the other side of the world - is so very touching. Thank-you!
Posted by: Shirley Fyfe | 31 January 2008 at 16:32
That is a gorgeous piece, Rebecca. And you are right. Creativity dryness happens to all of us. Love the line about contentment. That would be a wonderful phrase in a little frame on my nightstand.
Jennifer :)
Posted by: Jennifer | 31 January 2008 at 17:32
The knob on my studio door is sticky with old dust.
On the wings of creativity my heart soars.
The words on the back burners of my mind nag and are forever laughing at the dryness of my artist's soul.
On the wings of creativity my heart soars.
The knob is now shiny -the door is always open and the only laughter I hear is because I've stepped in the right direction.
On the wings of creativity my heart soars.
P.S.
If it wouldn't be such a mess to clean up...I'd tell you to go dump all your ribbon on the floor and jump right in!!!
Posted by: joyce | 31 January 2008 at 18:35
Welcome back! It's so hard to go through those periods when the muse seems to have forgotten where she's needed. But sometimes, I think we need the break, because we're morphing into our next creative life, and there needs to be a bit of a separation...a rite of passage. Anyway, the getting back at it feels so good, doesn't it? Can't wait to see your new work. xo
Posted by: Tammy | 01 February 2008 at 01:19
I love your perspective on contentment. It is so very true and like hope, is a thing we choose.
Hope is my focus for the year and I have this by Emily Dickinson taped to my monitor
"Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul
And sings the tune
without the words
And never stops at all."
After looking at your becautiful piece with this posting, I have become inspired to rummage and play as well.
Thank you!
Posted by: Lisa | 01 February 2008 at 07:09
I'm so glad that you've got your "mojo" back. :) I love the quote you used for your project. Content is one of my favorite words and what I aspire to be. :)
Posted by: Michelle Gauthier | 01 February 2008 at 08:36
Hey Rebecca! Glad you got your groove back! I'm officially now stalking your Etsy site. :) You know your work makes my heart go pitter pat!
Posted by: teresa | 01 February 2008 at 10:12
Your blog is always so inspiring to me! Thanks for your honesty and your beautiful pictures. You have a true gift!
Posted by: Adrienne | 01 February 2008 at 11:14
glad your muse is dancing again...ahhh... her steps are so sweet!!
Posted by: Kimberly Kwan | 01 February 2008 at 16:44
Thanks for putting this into words Rebecca............Contentment............I hadn't thought of that word in awhile. My phrase for the year though is "Be Present", I have it on my family room wall in vintage letters........to remind me not to look too far forward or too far back...........by the way, your art piece is beautiful. I hope to find you at CHA and say hi.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Bettencourt | 01 February 2008 at 16:57