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I want to talk to you about routines. Everyone develops them, some good and some.....well, we have those too. Routines are part of who we are and as we go through life and its inevitable changes, so do our routines and habits change, or not. Routines can add positive structure to our lives, or they might become a form of constraint and block progress and improvement.  I'm sure you have heard this, or some version of the description of insanity such as "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result".  

The routine of doing the same thing over and over again is great, if we are satisfied with the end result. We have our morning rituals that get us up on time and on the path of a new day, unless someone forgets to restock the coffee and the only option is some weak herbal tea, well you know the rest of that story. We also have a repeated checklist that gets us through each day and home safely to rest and recharge. Those close to me certainly know I'm a creature of habit and I definitely have my routines from sunup, which I rarely see to sundown and beyond. What happens when the end results fall short of our expectations?

As artists, we develop our creative habits and routines as well as a few idiosyncrasies along the way, that mold, shape and define our process and creations. At some point and through those routines the process is developed and eventually a style is born. But what happens when we get stuck along the way, or we get burned out, or tired of our style, or sales have stalled? A close artist friend of mine shared a favorite quote of his, "If Nothing Changes.....Nothing Changes". This was shared many years ago, has stuck with me and I repeat it frequently. Change, at its core, it would seem so basic and simplistic, yet in practice can be so challenging at times to implement.

Personally, I hit a creative wall last year that lasted for most of six months. That was not a good time for me and realize that in addition to my own creative endeavors, I represent and sell the art of other artists. While I know this happens and while I try to coach others through it, for me, getting and staying stuck is not an option. So, a change agent I needed to become.

For me, that has meant getting out of my box and changing some of my routines. Like visiting someone else’s studio, stepping away from my easel and seeing what my fellow artists are up to and expanding my exposure to other forms of art. I started with a visit to our local Museum of Discovery and then a showing of Encaustic monotype print making at the Bas Bleu Theatre Company. Earlier this month I attended an Art Show & Sale in Cheyenne, Wyo with a dear friend and artist and watched as she mastered a painting during the 45 minute quick draw session. There is a whole season of live performances to explore at the Lincoln Center and a never ending variety of live music options throughout the Fort Collins area and next month will include a trip with a fellow artist to see the latest exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. And without even leaving the comfort of my own home I can start spending less time on the internet, turn off Face Book and pick up the art books I have invested in, but haven't taken the time to read. 

The end result of all of this accumulative creative energy, exposure and thought is, I'm painting again, loving every stroke of the brush and pallet knife and have produced more work in the last two months than the previous six, such as "Reveal 2" pictured above! Have you ever gotten creatively stuck? How did you get through it and how would you advise others that may find themselves stalled at a creative roadblock? Please share, I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy the moment & thanks for stopping by........Jim