Artists: Are you giving up too soon?

[@danreece3484]

I needed to hear this today, thanks Louise x

[@PatriciaCollins-mg5um]

Louise, I look forward to your Sunday morning newsletters; you have become my art pastor!! I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts too, where you and Elizabeth chat authentically about life, creative influences (ie Rick Ruben’s book on creativity, documentaries, other artists to check out), and present your process of dilemmas you face as artists. Always upbeat and playful.

[@lizsaxe1390]

I gave up 50 years ago because I had to "work"....now 83 I'm beginning to paint and sure enuf I hit a block of no confidence in each one that I start....I've learned to ignore it and go on but it is discouraging to expierence that "no confidence" riddle!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I think we all battle this at times Liz. Keep pushing through it!

[@andreaharley4047]

Thanks Loiuse, its my experience that this does happen to most artists. It happened to some of the very famous painters so its bound to happen to us.👍👍

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes of course it will! It's part of the process.

[@mizuna28]

Thank you for recognizing the TORTURED middle! "Messy middle" doesn't begin to describe the angst at that stage!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It's a real thing!

[@ChamberlainDesign]

Oh it’s so so wonderful to hear this out loud from someone else!!!! I’ve just stopped for a period of time as I’m a single parent. Art therapy in small tiny versions are where it’s at right now. Thank you for the reminder!!!

[@morganantoinettephoenix1107]

I call it the teenage years. No longer in the infancy but not yet reached maturity.😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That makes perfect sense!

[@cindirocks322]

If it can happen to you it can happen to everyone. Thank for this post. ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Cindi!

[@annaterzin5071]

Dear Louise! You are speaking from my heart! Thank you for your encouragement, I never give up

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it ♥

[@Jona_Art1]

I have some gruesome paintings just lying on the floor, waiting for me to come visit them. This process reminds me of my writing process, where at some point I have to stick my manuscript in a drawer and walk away. Sometimes I come back to it and think, hey, not bad! Yippie! Other times it's crap--but there is always something I will keep, so all is not lost. I will try to keep that in mind with painting. Thanks, Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you resonated with it!

[@adriannemartin1515]

That's the key, isn't it? To keep going. Kinda coulda learned this 40 years ago!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes! Just keep going.

[@PaulWalesArt]

I was going through the photos on my iPad this morning and encountered just this thing. I'll often take a photo at the end of a session as either a record, or to analyze it - maybe pop it into procreate, etc. What stood out in an enormous way was the progression of the two pieces I'm most proud of. The series of photos genuinely captured the starts, stops, and the various shifts of where I thought I was going. I couldn't help but think of all that lies beneath the now finished pieces - the layers, trials, tribulations, occasional frustration. I have a fleeting memory of the moment when everything started to come together, the emotional rush when I had the "Yes!" feeling weeks later. What I ended up with was nowhere near what I'd originally intended, yet I think the two pieces are beautiful. I know when guests in my home share positive comments on them I'm pleased, but now I realize that they (and I) are only seeing the surface. And if not for the photo references of the progression I would never remember the energy I invested until I got right where they were supposed to be. As always, thanks for sharing Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I love that - I also love the feeling of knowing what lies beneath x

[@denisevance1045]

Oh yeah!! Hit the nail on the head for me! Totally quit my art pratice several years ago, just started it again this year. Broke through, tried other mediums other than watercolor and I must say I have a whole NEW perspective on the thrill of art again. You are soooo inspiring and I am grateful you are bringing these things to light because as artists we have ALL at some point, have thrown in the towel. I’m back and it feels wonderful!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It's a great feeling isn't it? ☺♥

[@pamelahipp]

Thank you! This was so very helpful for me. I’ve all but given up after hitting that sticky middle so consistently. Now I have hope!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad to hear it Pamela!

[@ElizaC765]

I really need to hear this today ❤ . I appreciate you Louise , thank you!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

And I appreciate you being here! ❤

[@lou9007]

I'm back to painting after an enforced break I've been going nuts without splashing being able to paint around. I'm a quarter way through 4 play pieces, it's like pressing pause hitting rewind and going again and again, that's ok, yes it's frustrating but I can't stop. This is the most driven I've ever been to finish a series of work. I'll be doing the course for the first time I've saved up and I can't wait 12 weeks of pure joy yipee

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So excited to have you on board Lou!! Welcome ♥♥♥

[@christineboone2850]

I’m so eager to take your course, and I CAN’T this year because I’m in the midst of moving. But right now I’m making a mental vow to take it next year! I’ll be watching all the videos until then. ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm afraid there is no next year - this is planned as the last year of FYJ. but maybe some time in the future I will be back with something else

[@christineboone2850]

Oh, I hope you will do some other teaching in the future!

[@susanshambrook8070]

Thank you again Louise, so grateful for all you do to help us all. x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you liked it Susan!

[@brendahughes2330]

I like your commentary on being curious. What would happen if…has lead me through several paintings.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I so agree Brenda! That mentality has pushed me through many periods as well.

[@margaretconner6578]

I am at exactly that point! I have been working on a couple of paintings and thinking these are rubbish, why am I bothering........this video has inspired me to keep going. Thanks

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad I could provide you that!

[@heatherstubbs6646]

This is such a great reminder! I’m just about to start a large canvas, doing something I’ve never done before. You’ve reminded me to expect the ugly teenager stage, and not to despair when it comes. It’s always darkest just before the dawn. Thanks, Louise! 😁

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Heather! ☺

[@SandraPype-nb3ns]

Again, thank you Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

As always you are so welcome. ♥

[@gailzaranek6958]

Thank you. And thank you again.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome ❤

[@melindareynolds7867]

Thank you for your encouraging words. I am there and can relate. Onward and upward I will go.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@birgitx2931]

Your encouragement was just what I needed, because I feel a bit stuck at the moment with lots of unfinished paintings. Thank you. 🌻🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome! Glad I could help ☺

[@annagray4208]

Excellent advice again. Thank you. 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@carolcoleczeczot2255]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and for helping us know we're not alone, Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Carol!

[@annrubino6252]

Counting the days - I'm going to love painting with you, Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to have you with us Ann ♥

[@bobgramatges1]

I love the topic of this video. Practicing art is both confrontational and revelatory. I've quit many times, both in the middle of a painting and in general. It’s always when I get in my head. When I set out to paint a portrait and halfway through, it looks like a goblin, it’s almost like I want to dissociate with it. But over time, I've realized that a few brushstrokes can turn a scary portrait into something beautiful. Art is so tied to our identities that sticking to it requires a good amount of self-awareness. In the long run, this self-awareness is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Love all of this!! ♥♥♥

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

You reminding me of how I discovered abstract painting. I thought I was signing up for a watercolor landscape course but it turned out to be abstract mixed media. I was a mess for the first 3 days. I thought, "I just can't do this. It's not for me." Then, on day 4, I had a breakthrough. Since I hated everything I had created so far, there was nothing to preserve. I finally shifted into my right brain and just played. Somehow wonderful paintings emerged. I was hooked and haven't looked back.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

This is such a beautiful way to fall into it. ♥

[@giuliettabresadola2201]

Woooow, Thank you so much for these precious tipps 🙏🏼🫶🏻

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@kathleenkaleookalanismith8724]

Thank you for this and for all your videos 🫶🏽

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome ♥

[@deborahmcneill2725]

Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome!

[@user-bi6do7uw8o]

I call the Messy Middle the Teenage Years. I hate it, it hates me; Hopeless. Nowadays, I can look at my grown children and it gives me hope for my paintings.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Haha this is a great way to view it!

[@vickyb9918]

For the taster course what size acrylic or water color paper do we need?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

As big as you can buy in one sheet x

[@melissaartistry6041]

I work on multiple drawings at the same time too. I have limited myself to 4 drawing boards though with paper taped to each one so I can move between them when I get "scared stuck"..afraid to ruin the progress I've made 😊 But my problem can often be that I get to 89% finished on all of them and stall because I am afraid of stuffing them up so I can spend days just looking and not touching them. It's a silly fear really because I work with graphite...I can erase things and start over 😅

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I think sometimes we all face these types of feelings. You are not alone!

[@charlottechamplin9063]

OH YES!!! The messy middle is a part I named the "Ugly Layer" then I know it is just one layer! Not the end.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's a great way to look at it Charlotte!

[@juliebabb3365]

if i am really frustrated, a big swath of off white does the trick!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

There ya go! Onward and upward!

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

For me, it was just fine to give up art and become a Psychologist. Now I am returning to art and am creating work I never could have created earlier in life - or without all the experiences I've had as a therapist, writer and teacher. It's all good.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Love this!