Searching for connection... The struggle is real!

I had a conversation with a friend recently about art; we agreed that art is more about personal connection than simply its beauty. This conversation got me thinking about my own artistic abilities, how I express myself, my personal connections that I make or try to make, and my reasons for creating in general.

When I was a small child, art came easy because the expectations I placed in myself were less. It was about having fun or expressing an emotion. The end result wasn’t as important as the journey. As I got older and entered school the expectations I placed on myself grew bigger and more difficult. Comparing my art to everyone else’s became common place. Suddenly, I didn’t want people to see my art because it wasn’t good enough, or at least that’s how I felt. I assumed that the praise I received from family was out of love not because I was very artistic. Sure, there were moments I believed, but there were more moments that I didn’t believe. The only thing that kept me going was the way art made me feel. Art created connection when I felt disconnected.

Over the years I have come to love my artistic self even though it’s still hard to call myself artist. I have learned that art is healing, and not just to me. Our brains need that creative outlet where rules become guidelines instead of walls. Creativity is what fuels invention. Inventions keep us moving forward instead of being stuck in the past. It’s time we start opening ourselves up to new ideas and allowing creativity to guide us even when it’s scary.

I have often heard people say, “I could never come up with something that creative.” Let me tell me you, the struggle is real, even when you are classified as an artist. Some days inspiration strikes and I know exactly what I want the end product to be. Other days I feel inspired, but simultaneously stuck. Then there are days when there is no inspiration, just blaaaaaa and it feels like the whole world is against you. Like, maybe you were just a “One hit wonder”, nothing more to give. The days where everything falls into place and I know exactly what to do are few and far between. They feel more like happy accidents then true creativity. Sometimes in the end of a project where there was little to no struggle, I’m not nearly as satisfied with the result. Those projects get filed away in my brain as, ehh it’s okay. They just aren’t as rewarding because art is an expression of emotions. Without a little struggle the emotions aren’t as plentiful. Then there are those days where I’m inspired, but don’t know where to begin.

Now, you might wonder how a person can be both inspired and stuck simultaneously. I’m here to tell you, it’s real and it sucks! There have been numerous times I have wanted to be creative, but just can’t figure out what to do. It’s like I have all this energy, but I’m locked in a cage. Sometimes I’m really good at pulling myself out of that and accomplishing something, but most often I just give up and go watch TV or throw the ball for Jemma (Our dog). In this stage of creativity very little to no progress is made and for all the inspiration I felt, in the end I’m left feeling empty and frustrated. I believe that my emptiness comes from having made no connections. Without connection art is meaningless.

Finally, the “One Hit Wonder” comes along. You have a project, but don’t know where to begin. It feels like inspiration has left on a jet plane and is never coming back again. In those moments I seek out inspiration anywhere I can get it. I look at old projects, I look at ideas online, I talk to my sister and my husband until they are tired of listening, and then I just dive in head first. “Just start!” I tell myself. So, whatever the project I begin with the small things, like organizing my work space, or getting out all of my tools. Sometimes thats all I do that day and then I leave my desk a mess and walk away. The pondering continues a for days, weeks, or sometimes months. Finally it strikes me, I know what to do or at least where to start. I continue and then stop, redo, continue, add color, change color, stop, redo, continue, it goes on like this for a while. I feel ridiculously stuck again, but I keep pushing forward. Finally, the project is done and it’s better then I could have ever imagined. Nothing about this project was easy, but now the reward is great because not only did I create something beautiful, but I also proved to myself that I’m not just a “One Hit Wonder”. Connection happens! My art embodied the struggle I felt as well as the moments when I sought help from others. It created a way to communicate with people that didn‘t awkward or shallow.

Recently I had a “One Hit Wonder” moment. I was challenged with creating an “outdoorsy“ clock that included antlers in the design, but wasn’t just one set of antlers in the middle of the clock. They liked the coloring and pattern of another clock we created with sheet music, and had a more “old but classic“ look then “outdoorsy”. There was a deadline and I struggled to finish that perfect design. In the end after talking my sister’s and husband’s ears off as well as hours and hours online I finally figured it out. The wood of the clock gave me the first spark of inspiration and then it came slow and steady after that. I would start, change, redo, add to, and go through all the steps again and again until I was happy. The end result was great, but it took a lot of work to get there. My favorite part of the project were the conversations that lead to ideas and once again created connection.

I find that my art means more when I can share it with someone who isn’t going to judge it’s perfection, but love it’s expression. Let‘s use art to connect us to each other instead of tear each other down. Art can be powerful, use it for good!

Do you ever get stuck? What do you do to overcome those moments? Tell us about a time when you overcame that struggle. It doesn’t even have to be an art project. We would love to hear from you. If you are enjoying our blogs feel free to subscribe to our page or share it with someone you think would enjoy it. Thanks for reading! Until next time, keep creating!