Picasso Was Onto Something

I recently spotted a well-established artist talking about the self-doubt and fear she was facing as she thought about starting a new body of work.

I stopped scrolling, read her caption, and remembered how many times I had felt the very thing she was describing.

I recalled a conversation with another artist friend, and the look of astonishment and relief that crossed her face when I said to her something like: "Oh I get it, you're terrified that this time you won't be able to do it. That this time the gig will be up. That people will finally realise you've got no idea what you're doing."

And HOW did I 'get' it? Because I feel the same thing every single time I front up to a blank page or canvas.

It might have been Julia Cameron who first showed me I wasn't alone in this, in the pages of her book, The Artist's Way. I've been at this artist thing long enough to know this is a real phenomenon; and I have a theory about why.

WE HAVE A FEELING WE ARE NOT IN CHARGE

When the art is good - the kind that gives you a rush, a high as you make it - the feeling of "it's not coming from me, it's coming through me" is ever present.

I know when I get out of the way and let it come through me, great things happen. And I believe that's what Picasso was talking about when he famously said, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working".

When inspiration comes and finds us working, the art does come through us, and it's the most wonderful feeling to experience. Which I suspect is why it's terrifying to begin again, because we have no idea what we did to summon it last time - or any time. I still don't know for sure, but here's what I find helps create the best conditions for it to land:

CREATE A RITUAL

My experience has been that inspiration responds to invitation. What would feel like a juicy, irresistible invitation? Mine includes entering the studio from outside, calling nature and fresh energy to join me, lighting a scented candle, asking The Great Creator (or whoever you subscribe to) - out loud - to please join me and show me what it wants the work to be today. If I'm feeling especially tentative, I'll put on a carefully curated playlist - selected for the 'you can do it' vibe - and move with the music.

SHOW UP

Get into the studio, pick up a paintbrush, play, explore. If you're super stuck, sort out supplies, throw away dried up paint tubes, sharpen pencils. Be in the place the art happens and move things around; your supplies, your inspiration, your body. Movement gets things moving.

HONE YOUR SKILLS

Learn your skill. Finesse your technique. Growing confident in your technical skills helps you make art you're really proud of. I often talk about 'brush hours' when people comment that I make something look easy. The first few hundred hours were a mess. But proficiency doesn't land out of a clear blue sky. Practice always makes progress.

GO GENTLY WITH YOURSELF

One of the most powerful approaches I've found is this:

Before I start a new piece I get my brain onside by telling myself I'm just playing, messing around, just going to see what happens. If this idea doesn't work, It can be painted over, or burned, or torn up for the bottom of the cocky cage.

When you stare at that blank canvas, do not put pressure on yourself that this is going to be a great thing. Tell yourself that this is going to be exploration, discovery. That you're leaving the serious work for later. Even on the day you finally pull out the fancy big canvas, or the ultra lush expensive paper, bring your curious playful self to the task.

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