I have really ambitious goals when it comes to painting, and sometimes that gets me into trouble. I want to get some of my thoughts down today in the blog in case some of you may also be having trouble with creativity during this time.

Painting during the quarantine is HARD. I find myself filled with worry, anxiety.. and just general fatigue most days, which makes me tense up and dread getting into the studio. This is not the best time for me to whip up a new palette that I am not used to working with and try something new. Instead, I revert back to what I am most comfortable with and try my best to make the most of it. In this case, it is working with blue paint.

Summer usually is not the time that I crank out a lot of paintings either, which adds pressure. During summer break, I turn into “cruise director” and find myself driving my daughter for hours every day while she practices tennis (a sport she has been playing since she was small). While I am waiting, I am lucky to be able to answer emails and work on creating content for social media.. I don’t now what I would do if my job was not portable.

If you find yourself having trouble creating, here are some tips to help get you back on track:

Don’t be upset if you are unable to make “anything good”. Understand your feelings and that there is a lot of extra stress on us all these days. Just move paint and enjoy that process rather than looking for a finished piece.
Take a class and follow the instructor/prompts. Even though many of us are in isolation, there are many online alternatives to instruction that can help you get your mojo back.
Simplify. Try making cards or practicing in an art journal rather than that 30x40” canvas you’ve been meaning to complete.
Do something different! Maybe paint is not in the cards today. Try a new recipe, make yourself a photography scavenger hunt (use your cell phone camera!), or work outside in the garden. Being creative doesn’t have to mean “paint”.
Sidewalk chalk! If you don’t have any, the kids down the street probably do. Go see what they are up to outside. The fresh air and feeling like a kid again (at a safe distance, of course) will do wonders for the soul.

“Somewhere in the Middle” My latest painting created during COVID-19 Available here.

See that header up at the top of this blog post? That is the first few layers of the blue painting in the lower half of my blog post here. See? I told you…. Mama mia.. Always happy to be able to right the ship again.

If you are a student of mine, join the private facebook group! I’m happy to hear from everyone and am making alternative content to supplement all of the workshops! The link to join is located in side your online workshops… There are live video calls, prompts and daily chit chat that is really nice to hear during these uncertain times!

If you’re not an online student, you should know that my online painting workshops are not just “one and done” lessons. We make in depth, gorgeous layered paintings in all of the workshops. Students can copy my class samples or interpret them differently. Students can watch the videos as many times as they want…and ask me as MANY QUESTIONS AS THEY WANT. I don’t want you to watch the class and leave..I want you to be a member of the community I am building. Come and join us today! Click here to view the workshops.

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