On Being Blocked

I know about writers' block but I never thought I would suffer from painters' block. But it happened. For the last month I have been unable or unwilling to do any art work after almost three years of working just about every day. When I think about why this should happen, I think about the tens of thousands (hundreds of thousands) of artists who paint and show their work on the Internet and I begin to feel totally inadequate.

I am in the midst of searching for a higher level of knowing or learning about my work and that is what triggered this malaise. I began going through all my how-to-paint books trying to learn one or two different techniques that I can add to my repertoire, but I never got through the first book.

Then I began thinking that all the work I had done the past couple of years is junk! I have two exhibits coming up in June and part of July. I looked at all the framing I have done, saw all the money I have spent, and imagined all the paint I have spread on all that paper and know that neither of the exhibitions will reflect my investment. I would really like things to change.

I have decided, however, that this is the year I will begin to buy work that I want in my home. I shall start with a wood carving that I have had my eye on for some time. Then I will move on to some marble sculptures. That will bring new joy to my life.

Winter has been too long; there is still five feet of snow on the ground; and it is still snowing outside. Oh, Spring, come soon.