Friday, October 29, 2010

Unstuck


I hate it when I get stuck. Nothing looks right, I find fault with everything I do, feel my efforts amateurish, solutions elude me. Makes me wonder why I keep trying. I love it when the creative juices start flowing again. What I questioned looks just fine now, a feeling of competence returns, solutions that have been in front of me all along make themselves known and come together. The difference between the last few days and today as I work through the finishing touches on my Willow quilt.

When I'm in the midst of doubt, I can't always see what is causing it. When I come out of it, it seems crystal clear. I've been struggling with a medical problem that while not serious has given me constant pain to deal with. I do not do well working through pain. It clogs up my good sense, saps my energy, makes me want to give up. I finally got some relief yesterday, and today my approach in the studio has been like night and day, my old confident and interested self returning. Oh please stay for awhile...

It's been a cold, dreary, rainy week. I still get my walk in towards late afternoon, but today I decided on a morning walk before heading to the studio, taking along my camera. Even in cold dank conditions, one can find beauty and inspiration. Look at these raindrops hanging from the ends of pine needles:





At one point I looked up from the needles and spotted these two curling branches through a break in the foliage. Oh, and all the lichen on the branch running through the foreground is pretty spectacular too.


The tamaracks (larches) are what brought me out, though. These pine trees' needles actually turn yellow and drop in the fall, just like deciduous trees. They have just started turning, bringing such a splash and glow to an otherwise ho-hum landscape.




8 comments:

Cate Rose said...

Glad you're feeling better, Sheila! Great photos, too. Boy, I know what you mean -- some days things look bleak, the next day they look brilliant, and there's really nothing different, except what we're bringing to the party! Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Sorry you've been poorly, and I'm glad you're feeling better.I can identify with the on/off of creative zeal; you described it admirably!

Deborah said...

Lovely photos! Hope you have a good weekend.

Sherrie Spangler said...

I love the pictures of the curling branches and rain drops. It's been incredibly dreary out here also, except for one day this week. Just plug away!

The Idaho Beauty said...

Thanks everyone. So far so good as to how the weekend is going. I'm loving the way the quilt is coming together - almost done!

Felicity Grace said...

Glad you are feeling better Sheila, I hope you continue to do so. Any amount of pain is so hard to work through. Good luck with the quilt!

RHONDA said...

Yes, when a great deal of your energy is directed towards dealing with pain, it can be difficult to find any to use in the creative process. I'm glad you've come out the other side, and are having fun again. The tiny bit of your quilt that you showed us is looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!

The Idaho Beauty said...

Thanks, Rhonda and Felicity. I just posted the completed quilt - it turned out great in my estimation!