I consider my studio a sanctuary. It is a safe space that I run to, a space to make a mess and to work through challenges, a space that shelters me and echoes me. I have things arranged just so, to suit the manner in which I work. The longer I work in it, the richer its flavor. Last week, I was dealing with some personal stuff, and it was very tricky to get my mind to work with me and not against me. But I went to the studio and hoped for the best.
I sat down and felt pretty lifeless, staring off, feeling very heavy and unmotivated. I made it to the studio, but what should I work on? I was at a standstill, waiting on various components with a couple of freelance projects, and therefore left with the valuable and coveted time to work on my own work. But, I was cursed with a mind that was stuck. And it just got worse as I sat there, wondering what I should do.
So finally I got up and took out some nice paper and just began drawing lines, allowing myself to enjoy the subtle gradations that the brush made. It was repetitive and there wasn't a way that I could mess it up. It was simple, just making a mark that got my mind off of what had been occupying it previously and onto something else. And then I broke free, and I made another page applying a similar method. And then I pinned it to the wall next to a drawing of a leopard I've been working on. And I liked the pattern, so I made the image above.
Is it good?
I have no idea. But it got me moving and realizing that life goes on, and I felt a little better.