Making art during difficult times

[@jenniecallomon164]

This is fantastic & concise advice….. my son died for years ago, the shock & grief is overwhelming & life goes into a kind of slow motion void. As you say, when such a thing happens you are a changed person, I think we live our life as a series of chapters anyway , but when something big happens it’s an altogether different change of gear. I did something completely different ( as you suggested) & got completely absorbed into processing nettles to make cordage & fibre for spinning…I couldn’t face ‘art’ .I wish I had , had the idea of changing my art work approach , putting work aside, doing a 20min practice or something. Somehow I found your ‘find your joy’ course & a year later did ‘find your voice’ …both times I was barely half engaged ..I’m moving forward in fits & starts still , being in Art Tribe ( although I have only twice posted) has me helped tremendously . This year I will take ‘Find you Joy’ again & this time I think can be fully engaged . Thank you for being you Louise & all the honest, down to earth wisdom & opinions you give us ….

[@juliecranford534]

I’m so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your son. I’m encouraged by the way you have continued to press on with your art throughout all your grief. Best wishes in your continued journey.♥️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am so so sorry for your awful loss, but thank you for this lovely comment and for staying in touch with your creativity x

[@MrPatron2929]

Thank you Louise for those wise words. Exactly how I have been feeling. So I made up a concertina book, started with colour washes of watercolour which I rooted out from a drawer, have added in collage here and there, now I am onto next layer of acrylic paint. And I am having so much fun. Have no idea what will happen next, but I don’t care! And yes, it is giving me a buzz again. So maybe I will return to the series of abstract boards one day, which I have been staring at for weeks, with a different view. Anyway, thank you so much. Patricia

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You definitely will when you are ready x

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

Thank you for this post Louise. I lost my Mum two years ago and then Dad last year. We also lost Dad's sister two weeks ago tomorrow to cancer 😢 so a lot of grief to process! The irony of it all though is that last year my sister found all my art materials, painting sets and easels that Mum had bought for me over the years! Mum was always supportive of my art 🎨 She would suggest gallery and museum visits and would encourage me to paint/draw and would even paint along with me. I still miss her! So to to cut a long story short, although I couldn't paint or create up till now, it is lovely to think Mum had a hand in helping me to paint again...for fun and for therapy. So thank you again for this video Louise ❤

[@carolclay7082]

Two weeks ago my husband had a cardiac arrest. Without immediate CPR by bystanders, he would have died. He's since had quadruple bypass and by God's grace he's home healing. This is the first time I'm looked at You Tube in weeks. Your message is so timely. Right now, I have no energy...mental or physical. I walk into my studio and see the work that has been untouched since this all happened and part of me feels scared to pick up where I left off so I greatly appreciate the advice to just go do something fresh, new, and relaxing. The day will come when I can be in the other part of our house without worrying about him...until then may I can doodle in a sketchbook while I'm watching TV with him. So much sage advice in this....thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So sorry to hear about your husband Carol and I hope he is on his way to healing. I myself have been in a similar place so I totally understand but I am glad to hear you are at least doodling. 🖌

[@heatherstubbs6646]

As you know, Louise, it was your art course and the necessity to keep creating and keep up with the lessons that helped me move successfully through the very difficult first months after my husband’s death a couple of years ago. I look back at my paintings from those times and cringe because they were so relentlessly positive they were pretty tacky. 😂 Most of them I’ve painted over. LOL But the point was to keep my emotional head above water, and continuing to create was what did it. I will be forever grateful that your friendly face was there in the course videos, cheering me onward. ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I feel the same about you Heather - you are such a positive force x

[@rhondamaryjenner7868]

I can relate as I lost my hubby to art be a God sent to me it my conversation of expression when nothing make senses

[@camifromri2129]

You described how I felt when my brother got sick from Covid and subsequently died. I didn’t recognize my work and had no desire to paint. I was so busy with his estate and caring for my mother. But, eventually, I did get back into my basement studio. About the time of FYV and that helped a lot. When we worked on a series, I painted about my pain and loss. And recently got accepted into a museum show where I will exhibit 8 pieces that were inspired by that series. Thank you, Louise.

[@JennyHammill]

Feel like you are my therapist as well as my artistic inspiration. Your wisdom and generosity are hugely appreciated. Thank you Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@paulinechorlton4381]

Hi Louise, thank you for your kind thoughtful words. They do help, I hope you are keeping well and looking after yourself as well as the tribe 😊 xxx

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Pauline x

[@sjmsutherland]

Thanks for this....I've injured my right arm, being right handed it's been rubbish but I've pushed myself to work left handed. I've been enjoying the outcome, tho strange as it is!! This video came about at the right time!!

[@rosemastrosimone3898]

Hi , I fell in April & fractured my right wrist. Had to wear a cast for a month. I too started working with my left hand and found it has made a lasting, positive outcome with my art. It taught me how to be much looser & expressive. I hope you heal quickly!! 💜 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the process of working left-handed!

[@sjmsutherland]

@rosemastrosimone3898 awww I'm sorry to hear that!! It really does make you looser doesn't it!! I hope your wrist is better, thank you just doing as I'm told, lol!!xx

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I love using the wrong hand - glad you discovered this xx

[@mendyviola]

This really resonates with me. After the pandemic, I lost my cat from brain cancer, my mother started having severe medical issues and my father died - all within a year. It was personally overwhelming and I started in a downward spiral. I started abstract “intuitive” paintings recently. It turned out to be highly therapeutic- no pressure to make a realistic rendering, but a pure personal expression. I call them my creative “hot messes”. As professional and an advanced amateur violist, it’s the one time when I don’t have to worry about perfection. And as a violist, I lost my “musical mojo” during the same same. The abstract art helped me recover my passion for music, which requires absolute perfection, which is difficult to sustain when the world crashes around you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes that sounds like such a tough time - I'm so glad you found abstract painting x

[@natachaumar5052]

These short weekly videos are really good. I don't miss ANY🙂

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you are liking them!

[@michelemarie4559]

Wowzers! You have just told my story. I have gone through all of what you said in the past year. I had to put things away, step forward carefully and clear my palette and advance from where I am now, and not from where I was before my life turned upside down a couple of times. I have had enough experience to know that it all works out, and I trust that, but damn it is good to hear that I am not the only one in the readjustment mode. Life is funny and it is certainly not static, so I don't expect anything about my art to be settled or static either. Thank you Louise. I do so hope that your trials and tribulations bring you change for good, peace of mind, and growth beyond your wildest expectations. Love love love you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much xx

[@karinlawler_art]

Thank you. After my father's passing this April I think you're observations are helpful and reassuring. Even simple color mixing helps me.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful - I'm so sorry for your loss x

[@janekizner3678]

1:52 You are my life coach, as well as my art encourager. I think I love you. Keep up the good work.❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thank you

[@ElveraViljoen]

I liked what Trayci Tompkins said in the podcast about finding art inspiration in the difficult situation. Making art about the difficult thing brings me emotional healing and acceptance since I can flush out my emotions into my art rather that sitting on a heap crying (which I still do too). I have been hit with an autoimmune disease to the extend that I had to quit my job as a scientist.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so sorry to hear that - hopefully that will make room for more creativity though x

[@PatriseHenkel]

Wow did I need to hear this today!! Early June I had to stop … everything, really. I’d been pushing pushing pushing hard on every life thing, and I needed a break. Then I took ill and a few days became 3 weeks.You said it perfectly: “my art feels alien to me.” Thank you for permission to be exactly where I am. today things are coming down off the walls and I’m getting out fresh paper.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yay - let's see what happens now!

[@pamelakjamieson4212]

I started totally foing something different two years ago after I completed my BFA in painting. I couldn't do it was stuck so I began exploring in clay so loving it and I now want to return painting ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@tracyburcham7350]

Thank you for this video. I’m going through a very difficult time now. I know I need some art therapy, but it’s been hard to feel like doing anything.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I know the feeling. I find it helps to just doodle in a sketchbook - something really small and easy x

[@michellegraven7786]

Always love your advice, Louise. Thank you 💞

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Michelle!

[@denisevance1045]

Great advice, so right on and relevant. Been there, death of my Mom led to no art for two years, wish I’d known about you. So wise, thank you and I am certain our journeys to those sad places will come again at some point in our life

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yup, that's for sure!

[@susanpriestart]

Such wise words, this is why I have 4 things I love, so I get to take pressure off myself and go with my mood ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's such a great idea Susan!

[@sheilasweet7658]

Thank you for this. It’s much needed in my life right now as I struggle through grief. I will just play and put the canvas that I began many months ago away for now.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am so sorry to hear that Sheila. I hope you find some solitude in your art ♥

[@paintpaper9]

Thank you so much Louise. I continually need to restart with something totally different. Thank you.❣

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@maryantico3399]

Hey. I signed up for your free thing. I really want to get back into painting but my "difficult times" life event is related to finances, which means I don't think I can do Art Tribe anymore. Hopefully this free offering will help me jump start myself. One reason I went ahead with signing up is that you stated "we won't be talking about Art Tribe" during the free period. That is greatly appreciated, because when a free offering is really just a promotion it can be discouraging. I even don't have enough money to purchase basic art materials so obviously having to constantly tell myself, no, I can't do the course on offer, can be discouraging. I guess this is just a message thanking you for doing something really for free. I need this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Mary and I am so glad you are joining us!

[@annagray4208]

Thank you for the sensible helpful advice Louise

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful Anna. Thanks for being here.

[@scarlettfionareed]

Thanks for this. It is new years day and I am cleaning my studio and putting works away that I have not touched in months. I may or may not come back to them, but for now, I am excited to start fresh!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Hopefully you were able to get that fresh start!

[@rosemariemendes5391]

Thank you Louise. I haven’t been in my studio for awhile. My daughter is going through an aggressive form of Cancer. I enjoy your examples and information about your involvement and process very much. Thank you so much

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am so sorry to hear this - all my best wishes x

[@aliveinchrist1455]

Thankyou Louise, this was really helpful . I definitely need to wipe the slate clean. I just changed my desk for this purpose as it reminded me of college that I had to give up and not done much art since.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lkstevens6579]

Thank you, Louise, great advice.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mienhuijskens2471]

Thank you so much..i feel confident again ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@krissy2321]

Thankyou for your wise words 💛

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Krissy!

[@dotrowland9789]

Thank you so much, I needed to hear this advice…..

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and glad you enjoyed it!

[@JennyMulligan]

So spot on for me at the moment - but art ideas in my head every day. So, so good to hear you talk about this Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm glad it helped x

[@jessicastrideart]

Such great advice and so well timed for me. Thankyou Louise for all the help you give to us.x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and glad you enjoyed it!

[@ellenwilliams6406]

Great advice as always. My change is actually positive. I recently attended a women’s seaside art retreat and it was so amazing. I think we were all deeply affected by the energy and emotions it evoked and it will all show up in our creativity. I had never attended an in person women’s retreat and it had a profound effect on me. Thanks again for just being you and sharing your advice and personal experiences.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That sounds great!

[@shesawthings]

I absolutely agree

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you do! Thank you for watching.

[@The_artistic_yogi]

Thank you for this ... I have actually been going through a "can't make art" patch and I was wondering why this was happening.... And actually, your video made me realise that it was for exactly the opposite reason... I was making art in my much less than perfect version of me - in that I was waiting for a big project to come through. And now that it did, and I am living the dream in my tiny house on a huge piece of land, I can't seem to connect to what I was making before... I am attracted to things that previously weren't attractive to me and it's all very confusing! However, now I now have a beginner point to figure it out! Because yes, I absolutely still want to make art!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's great! Let's find out what this new you wants!

[@mariaantonietamachado4199]

THANKYOU LOUISE !! very useful your thoughts, and recommendations.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anacarr4795]

I can totally relate to this. Thanks Louise. You helped me to see that I need change

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful and thank you for being here!

[@fionageddes6604]

Good advice 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you think so!

[@rhondamaryjenner7868]

Thanks for that help me do much Rhonda

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Rhonda. ♥

[@JacobMotlMedia]

As others have alluded to, your theory can be "zoomed out" and applied to any change in ourselves, good or bad. I'm fairly young yet, but in my own creative experience, it never works to force myself to make something joyful or euphoric if I'm down in the dumps. Likewise, if I'm in an upbeat mood, I have a difficult time with serious subject matters. What I'm learning - and what you verify here in this video - is the importance of listening to ourselves from within and go with our own flow. Don't fight the current.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes well said!

[@Wildflowerafternoons]

I needed to hear this today. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@fadouaelbantli8375]

❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

♥♥♥