Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I Seem to Have It Backwards(?)

#268 - Draw Something You Need

When I first saw this challenge (yes, it was a long, long time ago!) all I could think about was Abraham Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of needs. I wished to illustrate this in terms of the first level of human motivation - as in, we humans most need air, water, food, sleep, etc. I was planning to get quite "cute" about this, but couldn't quite put my finger on how.

Meanwhile, I'd fallen into one of my extended periods of funk, which always coincide with artist's block/existential depression. For me they are one and the same, just something about the way I am wired. So, looking back to the date of my last post here, I "blocked" around Thanksgiving of last year. Between then and now the rest of Maslow's levels, as regards my life, have all been threatened by the depth of my bad moods and miserable behavior. That is to say: Level two - safety, (employment); Level three - love and belonging, (marriage); Level four - esteem (sense of achievement). It's not until the last of these levels - five, self actualization; that creativity comes in, according to the master. And yet for me...

Something I need - hummmmn - at first I thought I would illustrate a still life of art supplies. But I do not need those, I have more than enough. Nor do I need the time to use them, I have that, too. I just need "permission" to get myself into the studio and JUST DO IT!!! Yet I've recently spent seven months spinning my wheels, trying to do only that, and swimming in self loathing all the while and making those around me nuts.

Recently I sat myself down with the least worthy of my supplies stash (Crayola poster paints, to be specific, and toned bristol cover stock) and forced myself to do nothing more than push the paint around the page, and to play. And this came into being, a weird non-symmetrical mandala, which I sort of like. So that's what I need, most of all, to stay sane. Just to do something, anything, to create.
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11 comments:

Alex said...

Nice entry and I really love the idea. It's really similar to the theory of Taoism or some sort, the never ending cycle of life =) Beautiful!

Mary said...

Looking at this painting, I can see rivers, a face, a cliff face... there's so much here, I could get (happily) lost in it! I agree with Alex, it's beautiful.

Angelica said...

Love this -- I can see landscapes and all sorts of things in this mandala!!

Was so happy to see your blog show up on my reader too!!

I KNOW for you that you are coming into a Divine Balance.

Blessings, Angelica

Unknown said...

I kept waiting for you to say something about a need this painting symbolized, which I guess you did, but not in the way I expected. I don't much care for abstracts, usually, but this is beautiful. No really, it is one, that if I had a job and money at the moment, I would want to buy for my walls. And that is saying a lot...since I don't normally find myself attracted to them! Hope you got what you needed! :D

Cathy Holtom said...

I like this, it reminds me of a mind working and the ideas moving round.

donna said...

I am glad you are posting again. Being blocked is horrible. Your challenge is just lovely.

nanke's stuff said...

I'm so glad you're back! This piece is wonderful, yes I mean wonderful. I love the motion, the colors, the shapes, and the feel of it. Very well done! nancy

Anonymous said...

You have returned in style! This contains so much and yet is not at all 'fussy'. A beautiful mandala.

Ann said...

I have missed your posts and am so glad to see you back! This is beautiful. And hopefully just what you needed to get going again :-)

Lynn Logan Roselli said...

This is beautiful! When I first looked at it...it reminded me of earth with landscapes and water bubbles. I am glad you are posting again!

winna said...

I don't know when I'll get off your site as one sketch leads to another and all the words are so relateable.....I sure love what you have done and look forward to another lengthy session on your site.