STUCK!!!! Yuk!

[Tucker]

My taste in art is best described as eclectic. I am eclectic in mediums as well. When I was doing welded metal sculpture, I could concentrate. When I was doing pottery, I could focus, I also paint in acrylics, watercolor and draw in pencil and pastel. So, whats the problem? Well, I'll tell you what the damnable problem is.

After six months of working on the house I am building and not having a place to work, I find myself in a great little studio space with privacy, good light and all of the supplies I need to go forward. I can't make a start. I have, perhaps, too much inspiration and twenty different renderings rolling around in my head. All of them are scratched out on bits of this and that but I can't seem to go forward on any of them.

Have you been faced with this dilemma? What did you do about it?

[Roger W Povey]

Put them in a hat and pull one out!!

[Caril Chasens]

When I am not ready to begin a sculpture, or to continue working on one, I do something related-else, like preparing some wood for future use, doing a bunch of sketches, sharpening tools...

[Walter Thomas Scott Jr.]

I found by accident that cleaning and vacuming helps me get the muse going and my wife is happy as well .
Walter Scott

[Tucker]

I suppose that it doesn't help that I am bone lazy, to boot.

[Roger W Povey]

You could always become an art critic!!

[Tucker]

Better yet, a gallery owner.

[Vincent Neave]

Hi Tucker,
I have had this problem on numerous occasions in the last 40 years. I've found two ways through it, one or the other usually works for me.
1/ I find a piece of unfinished work in a cupboard or drawer, preferably something that has been unseen for at least a couple of months. I put it on an easel and look at it for a while and usually soon see why I had stopped work on it, and a way through the problem. Then, by the time I've either finished it or given up in disgust and thrown it in the bin, things are flowing again.
2/ Stop thinking about the "twenty different renderings rolling around in my head". There's too much competition amongst them to be the first and they're creating a log jam. Try finding something new and quick, because it is new it will be much easier to translate into action and if it's quick it won't detract from the other projects for too long but by the time you've finished it the other ideas will probably have sorted themselves into some priority in your subconscious.
Hope it helps and good luck
Vincent

[Tucker]

Vincent,

Thanks for your suggestion. I have finally gotten past my current block and oddly did something similar to your suggestion.

I did something completely different and long forgotten that I haven't done since my hippie days. I picked up a faded pair of blue jeans and embroidered a psychedelic colored lizard, boldly on the leg and viola when I returned to my studio the following day I selected one of the sketches and set about starting a new work. Perhaps it has something to do with completing one task so you can move on to another.

I love your work. You are no doubt inspired by your local. My Grandmother is from Bodmin, Cornwall. Had I grown up there instead of the "Colonies" I would no doubt be painting some sort of muck encrusted, well feathered, horses.

Tucker

Vincent Neave said:

Hi Tucker,
I have had this problem on numerous occasions in the last 40 years. I've found two ways through it, one or the other usually works for me.
1/ I find a piece of unfinished work in a cupboard or drawer, preferably something that has been unseen for at least a couple of months. I put it on an easel and look at it for a while and usually soon see why I had stopped work on it, and a way through the problem. Then, by the time I've either finished it or given up in disgust and thrown it in the bin, things are flowing again.
2/ Stop thinking about the "twenty different renderings rolling around in my head". There's too much competition amongst them to be the first and they're creating a log jam. Try finding something new and quick, because it is new it will be much easier to translate into action and if it's quick it won't detract from the other projects for too long but by the time you've finished it the other ideas will probably have sorted themselves into some priority in your subconscious.
Hope it helps and good luck
Vincent

[david eubank]

Hey Tucker,
Yeah I have this problem every year, when my season is over at work I find myself wondering where to start. I think Vince, Caril and Roger have some good suggestions. What I do is just start working in the studio on anything. I do all my writing and what not in the studio. Just being there leads eventually to a start. I also will take an old work out of storage and sometimes start there. I also mull over all of my ideas and wait for the one. Then I start. Sometimes I just sit and look at all the stuff around the studio and once in while the muse will tickle me. But the real deal is to start working everyday on something, even if you think it goes nowhere it is a step forward. Then of course, there is the mindless snow removal, that physical action where the mind can wander, like cleaning. So put on some music or play some music in the studio and see what happens. I think that if you invite the Muse she will come. Today I started to paint early, then fixed the grill had lunch, looked at the web, now I will crank up the music and see what happens. Cheer up spring is on the downhill side.

[Tucker]

Hey David,

I'm past it and am sure that it will come round again. It always does.

I am grateful for this site. It is nice communicating with other artists. Our styles and mediums may differ but it seems that the nature of the beast is similar.

Tucker

[Marcus R. Hartse]

I came to save you but found you had saved yourself :-) Breakfast tomorrow and then perhaps a caffeine jolt at Utza.

[Tucker]

Yep, Janet, you are right. I have gotten past it.

Thank you for the movement and vibrant colors in your work. I really enjoyed your web site. Living in Eastern Montana, I get to see way too much "traditional" Western art and landscape. Your work is truly a breath of fresh air.

Tucker