Overcoming Resentment and Resistance for Free-Flowing Artistic Work

NOTE FROM MATT

What a blast it has been exploring the mid-century illustration art style over the last 30 days (and watercolor for the first 30 days). And now, for the last 30 days of this Artist's Way journey, I'm going to use each daily session to inspire an art nouveau work of art, with a twist!

Huge kudos for sticking in there! This 12-week journey is no simple feat. And look at us go! We're rounding third base and bringing it home with a whole lotta creative pizzaz 🍕😜🤙 I'm inspired by our commitment and excited to see how our creative journey continues to surprise and inspire.

Alrighty then let's get on with today's session with some refreshing pizzazectives.

Today, let's recognize our defenses against what is perceived (rightly or wrongly) as a hostile environment.

BLASTING THROUGH BLOCKS

In order to work freely on a project, an artist must be at least functionally free of resentment (anger) and resistance (fear).

What do we mean by that? We mean that any buried barriers must be aired before the work can proceed. The same holds true for any buried payoffs to not working. Blocks are seldom mysterious. They are, instead, recognizable artistic defenses against what is perceived (rightly or wrongly) as a hostile environment.

Remember, your artist is a creative child.

It sulks, throws tantrums, holds grudges, and harbors irrational fears. Like most children, it is afraid of the dark, the bogeyman, and any adventure that isn’t safely scary. As your artist's parent and guardian, its big brother, warrior, and companion, it falls to you to convince your artist it is safe to come out and (work) play.

(The Artist's Way, 2016, p. 158 – 159)

Read the following affirmation with gusto and intent:

I am creating a supportive environment for myself to thrive.

I am able to work freely on my projects by releasing any resentment and resistance. I acknowledge and address any buried barriers and payoffs to not working, recognizing them as artistic defenses. I remind myself that my inner artist is like a creative child and it's my responsibility as its parent and guardian to create a safe and supportive environment for it to come out and play.

download printable affirmation card

An Exercise in Priorities

Create a list of your creative goals a year from now … a month from now … a week from now.

List for yourself your creative goals for the year.
List for yourself your creative goals for the month.
List for yourself your creative goals for the week.

“We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.”

– John Holt

How will you playfully invite your artist child to create today?

We'd love to hear in the comments below 👇 or in The Artist's Way private community feed.