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Stuck

It happens to me quite often. In fact, it happened when I was asked to write this post. I was ….. stuck. Not because I have run out of ideas. No, that’s rarely the issue here.I knew full well that I was not going to tell you what to do, because working metal is not a hard science. That is for you to figure out. The very best I can do in any given situation is share a bit about how I approach things. But approach what? Because, like I said, I was well…. STUCK. At a loss for words. Didn’t know what to say. That kind of stuck.

With the deadline looming, our ever creative editor, Chris, suggested I talk about what to do when you don’t know what to do….. and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was an extremely valid topic of conversation. So props to you Mr Editor….

I was reminded of a quote by Henry James: “We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion, our passion is our task, and the rest is the madness of art”

Doubt. I know, right, it just smacks you in the face when you read that quote. Doubt? Really? Yup. It happens. I question my ability all the time. I question the quality of my work. I wonder if I should even pursue it, because itfrustrates me. It makes me cry, It makes me swear… Insecurity? That’s the easiest post to tie all this questioning and brow beating to. But it’s got very little to do with it….. Let me ‘splain you.

Enter the inimitable Steven Pressfield. During a particularly rough patch of self doubt, a friend who knows that I am fond of reading, handed me a slim volume titled “The War of Art”. She told me “read this. He will kick your butt in the best way possible”

It has become one of my favourite reads of all time. He shares this about realising your goal of becoming an artist:

“The artist committing himself to his calling has volunteered for hell, whether he knows it or not. He will be dining for the duration on a diet of isolation, rejection, self-doubt, despair, ridicule, contempt, and humiliation.”

I wholeheartedly agree. It’s a tough calling. It is damn hard work. You need to push through the doldrums, roll with the lows, and you will at some point celebrate the highs.

Pressfield asks: “Are you a born writer? Were you put on earth to be a painter, a scientist, an apostle of peace? In the end the question can only be answered by action.

Do it or don't do it.

It may help to think of it this way. If you were meant to cure cancer or write a symphony or crack cold fusion and you don't do it, you not only hurt yourself, even destroy yourself,. You hurt your children. You hurt me. You hurt the planet.

You shame the angels who watch over you and you spite the Almighty, who created you and only you with your unique gifts, for the sole purpose of nudging the human race one millimeter farther along its path back to God.

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got.”

I find that during those periods of not knowing what to do or how to approach something, I tend to stay away from social media sites like Instagram or Pinterest, because even though I will tell myself that I am looking for inspiration, because my stupid fickle muse has abandoned me for someone more talented, and prettier and more personable yet again (well it feels that way at the time, ok?), what I am really doing is giving in to the destructive side of self doubt. I end up comparing my work to those of others and it just makes me feel not good enough, not smart enough, not talented enough. And seriously, that’s just a bulls&#$ pity party. No need for any of that.

I believe doubt has a dark side, BUT there is also a light side. Doubt should make you ask questions, to plot a route through the mental swamps. You learn how to solve problems. Technique and mindset. In my humble opinion, that is key. Like Isaid, I cannot tell you what to do, I can only tell you how I approach it.

Mr. Pressfield again: “Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”

I have found out in my life that I need to make things as much as I need to breathe. That is why I divide the time between work and sleep between the pottery studio and metal studios.

But that’s me…. I hope that you find your passion too.

Get Steven Pressfield’s book. Read it. You’ll see. All that doubt and frustration is part of the process. Just don’t give up. It’s going to get better. Oh, and you are not alone. Talk to other artists and you will find out….

I’ll leave you with one more quote from that book: “This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favour in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.”