Slow creativity

and how to benefit from it

New England’s unwelcoming winter temperatures pull me in toward myself. I literally shrink into my body in an attempt to maintain my beloved coziness. What if, instead of a negative, we could view it as our bodies (and our planet) sending a message that now’s a time to turn inward?

My mood’s been low, my exercise routine is off, and I wish to be constantly under a blanket instead of in my chilly garage studio. But while my body’s been more dormant, my mind has been running rampant. I’ve been reevaluating what I want my life to look like, why I want it to look that way, and the steps I can take to get there (as I do, cyclically, to make sure I’m living a life that I’ve actively chosen). It always leads back to feeling gratitude for all I have and am right now.

Spending less time in my studio lately has made room for:

1. Introspection

   1. Development of new ideas

   2. Time to assess my current project

   3. Reflecting on learnings to apply in the future

2. Accepting my relationship with my art

   1. It’s important to me to dedicate some time every day to my craft (10 minutes is better than no minutes)

   2. My work is physical (even a desk job takes a toll on your body), and it’s important to listen to your body and give it time to rest

   3. The amount of time spent creating will ebb and flow, and I don’t need to fight or resent that

3. Balance, and diversifying time spent

   1. Giving fewer of my hours to my sculpture has allowed me to read more, make pen & ink sketches, and stay up to date on the lovely slew of new TV shows (Severance, White Lotus, and Love is Blind trifecta…anyone else?)

   2. I’ve been able to focus on non-artmaking sides of my practice (applying to shows, talking with other artists, photographing my work, incessantly updating my website)

Maybe next year it won’t take me all winter to accept and embrace the benefits of winter. The more we listen to what our bodies are trying to communicate, and the more we try to live in harmony with the natural world, I think we’ll find more peace, fluidity, and acceptance in our lives.

Stay curious <3