Monday, May 24, 2010

How Della Lost Her Groove

If you have been following this blog any time at all you may have noticed that a new artwork goes up every week, usually on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. But I had nothing last week and this week there is nothing again. This morning I was playing with my camera and took a photo of my desktop,  These are photos that I took in the garden last week. That is about as creative as I am going to get for a while. But don't give up on me altogether. Stick around and you may see a painting of this iris, called Superstition and described as "black."  It is really a deep, deep purple, though it does look black when the sun is not shining directly on it.

As to why there is no artwork, it is due to a malady that hits most creatives at one time or another. Some people, those who are very optimistic and confident - or perhaps unrealistic and delusional - refer to it as a" block," - artist's block, writer's block. This, however assumes that the disease is light and temporary, when in fact it is terminal and devastating.  The closest thing I can come to describing the condition is what happened to my computer this morning.  My new wireless mouse, my pride and joy, suddenly stopped working. It probably didn't help that I had dropped it on the floor earlier, but to me that seems like something of an overreaction.  The little arrow sat lifelessly on the corner of my screen while I shoved the mouse this way and that, pushing buttons I hadn't known were there.  Then my dear husband, the house genius, picked up the mouse, removed the battery and put it right back again. That doesn't make sense, does it? But then the little arrow began dancing across my screen again as if its life had been miraculously restored.   So that is what it takes.  Maybe my battery doesn't need to be recharged, just jiggled around a little. On the other hand, maybe I need a complete overhaul.

Wish I could tell you that I have decided to take a long vacation in some exotic, undisclosed location, but I am not a fiction writer.  A change of scene would be good, but there are too many responsibilities keeping me here right now.  And that may be the problem -  my muse got tired of living responsibly and went off on vacation without me. Hope it isn't an extended one, I miss her...

9 comments:

Vera Dennen said...

Love this, Della! My 'groove' has been snowed-under as well, so I do know of what you speak! ('')

dellartist said...

I am sorry to hear that, Vera, but at least I am not alone!!!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, I totally get this!!! Take time to rest...and recharge...we'll be here...you're not getting rid of ME, that's for sure!! I love you! And your analogy was brilliant! Love it...love you! Janine XO

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Dearest Della, Just wanted to stop by and wish you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Love to you and yours, Janine XO

The Pink Geranium or Jan's Place said...

Della, hat a charming description, I believe my inner "mouse" has also been rattled lately.. I am trying to get my groove back as well!

Thanks!

dellartist said...

Thanks Janine, it is so nice to have you as a friend. Have a great week end!

dellartist said...

Thanks Jan!

Vernita Hoyt said...

Della, did you find your groove yet? Maybe if you do something just for the fun of it, you'll find your groove again.

Vicki said...

When I have these periods where creativity will not come forth, I work on a collage that I started about a year ago. It is a large piece of illustration board and it contains bits of drawings, photographs, clippings, dried flowers...all put together as an illustration of people and things that I love and that are important to me. You would be surprised how working on this arrangement of bits and pieces of things can fire up your creativity. If that doesn't work, I just visit blogs and give advice to people who are having the same problem. Hope your muse returns to you soon.
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