Wow, it sure has been a long time since I last created a post!
I am going to be completely sincere in saying that the reason for this is that I just haven't felt any creative spirit in quite a while.
Closest thing I have come to doing anything even remotely creative has been to plant our vegetable garden for the summer. Definitely not very impressive!
This now seems to be growing into my longest "creative slump" since the second year of Covid lockdowns, when I just got really tired of trying to come up with something new at a time when there were no shows or events for us to go to, and no people accessible outside to share the work with. Everything started to feel rather pointless, and I felt more inclined to just read books and watch cat videos on YouTube than to create art.
Meanwhile, time ticks relentlessly by and every month I am reminded of this when I get fee bills from both Etsy and eBay telling me that I need to pay my monthly fees for having listings online. I barely even look at these places anymore, and the only notifications I seem to get are from other people, wanting to sell me things.
One of the last things I painted from back in the early spring...
Part of what makes it feel rather stifling is the fact that these online venues cost money but don't actually generate any sales.
I have been toying with the idea of taking on another 30-day or 100-day "creative challenge" in hopes of jump starting myself, but I have a feeling I won't make it much more than a week into it before growing bored and tired of myself!
Yes, I realize this does not sound very inspiring!
Perhaps the best thing I can really do for myself is stop worrying about not doing work, and just let it happen when — and IF — it is going to happen.
There was actually a stage in my life when I pretty much completely stopped writing — in any form — for almost three years. Again, I just felt no inspiration, and every time I would sit down and try to get started, it just seemed really boring and pointless.
The purpose behind not forcing it is that people on the "receiving end" tend to be able to spot work that looks "routine" rather than "inspired."
So, it is time to just wait and see.
Thank You!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
My Alchemy Stones Patreon appeal
Alchemy Stones web site and blog
Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!
Thank you for supporting independent art & creativity!
2025.06.08 AS-TXT-330/300
