I've had artist's block for about a decade... coinciding with my entry into the community food systems field. It seemed natural to channel my energy into farm design and construction, policy debates and the overall use of the life force to get things rolling here in Chicago, but also nationally.
Occasional paintings, drawings, mural designs have emerged, and been integrated into my food work, but not to the degree, that I had planned on. Studio time, nil-ch. And this after two years of graduate work in art psychotherapy, making a lot of work.
Somehow this movement, tapped all my juice.....
I concede that plenty of art and aesthetics are used in the projects I design, or community mural making that I facilitate. But its not the same as working on a painting or sculpture alone, losing a sense of time and feeling inspired, in that solitary space of creative energy production.
What's my problem? Why can't I get back there again?
I ask myself and make excuses that.....
In a world with so many problems to solve, Isn't best to use one's creative energy to solve them? Instead of making reflective images that can't actually be used to feed someone or change social conditions.
I wonder if other artists/activists/farmers...etc. have this dilemma?
How do you find balance between making your 'art' and changing the world?
Thank God for learning to crotchet... it's been a bridge back to my practicing artist self!!
e.
Occasional paintings, drawings, mural designs have emerged, and been integrated into my food work, but not to the degree, that I had planned on. Studio time, nil-ch. And this after two years of graduate work in art psychotherapy, making a lot of work.
Somehow this movement, tapped all my juice.....
I concede that plenty of art and aesthetics are used in the projects I design, or community mural making that I facilitate. But its not the same as working on a painting or sculpture alone, losing a sense of time and feeling inspired, in that solitary space of creative energy production.
What's my problem? Why can't I get back there again?
I ask myself and make excuses that.....
In a world with so many problems to solve, Isn't best to use one's creative energy to solve them? Instead of making reflective images that can't actually be used to feed someone or change social conditions.
I wonder if other artists/activists/farmers...etc. have this dilemma?
How do you find balance between making your 'art' and changing the world?
Thank God for learning to crotchet... it's been a bridge back to my practicing artist self!!
e.
E,
ReplyDeleteAs community food systems activists (or activists of any kind), we need to make sure we do things that feed our own individual souls and spirits, just as much as we feed the movement. In tending to ourselves, we rejuvenate ourselves and become stronger in and for the work we do.
And, every now and then, we just need inspiration. So, I send you a link to one of my favorite blogs: http://cauchycomplete.wordpress.com/ Enjoy!
Crochet on! I wave my knitting needles in solidarity,
MCC (in MKE)