Staying Creative

When the World Feels Crazy

I usually post finished pieces here like a a song or an illustration. Right now I’m in between projects. I’m gearing up for a focused printmaking push: designs in progress, supplies being ordered, ideas taking shape. There will be new work soon.

But today I want to talk about something else.

I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity and how fragile it can be.

For me, creativity is the canary in the coal mine. It’s the first signal that something isn’t right. When I’m in creative flow, the world falls away. I feel grounded, focused and joyful. When that flow disappears, I know something is off. And right now, a lot of people are struggling to create.

The emotional climate is intense. The news cycle is relentless. I’ve spoken to artist friends who feel paralyzed. Some feel guilty experiencing joy while others are suffering. Some are afraid of drawing attention to themselves. I’ve heard from people in African immigrant community in Maine back in the US who are limiting where they go because they don’t feel safe.

When we’re stuck in fight-or-flight, creativity is one of the first things to shut down. The nervous system prioritizes survival, not expression. It’s hard to make art when your body feels under threat. How do you create in this climate?  If you’re like me you doom scroll and replay all the inflammatory sound bites over and over.  This is not sustainable.

I created this blog as a way to make myself accountable. It’s the simple matter that when I’m not accountable then I don’t create, and when I’m in the creative flow I’m happy.

So if you’re struggling to create the I get it. Push against it if you can. There’s a lot of power in small incremental changes. So start small. Pick up a notebook, or get a sketch book and start drawing