Eat Like an Artist

Sketchbook practice, color study. *Notice the word at the top of this dictionary page.*

Like most activities, creating art requires a fair amount of energy. When I’m in the moment of making art there a lot of things I don’t feel. I don’t feel various parts of my body – until I am done creating and I realize my back is stiff or my legs are tired. I don’t feel thirsty – and I actually set a timer to remind myself to take sips of water. I don’t feel hungry – until I run out of creative ideas – then I’m famished. As long as I am busy creating, I can ignore a lot of sensations but the moment that I hit the decision making wall or realize that I need to walk away from a project, I am flooded with hunger, thirst, weariness or sometimes pain.

The visual act of painting, stitching, writing or whatever other things I do in my studio seem to have the ability to feed me. I take the nourishment and pour it into my projects. However, the well of nourishing inspiration has a bottom and when I reach that bottom, I need to allow it to refill. Without taking time away, I would be tapping into a dry well and coming up with muck.

Creative people need a lot of nourishment and so we need to make sure we are feeding our inspiration and creativity. How do I do this? Here’s a short list of things that absolutely feed my creative process.

I eat the healthiest food available to me at any given time. I personally cannot feel productive or at my best on French fries and junk food.
Before I eat, I take a look at my plate. I notice the red tomatoes against the green lettuce, the neutral pasta and the colorful sauce, the shape of the food and the composition of the meal. It sounds silly but when I was working full time and always hustling to get out of the house or ingest lunch in 20 minutes, I often didn’t notice these things – and I will admit that I ate entire meals without even really tasting them.
I also spend time in nature. Hiking, biking, kayaking and sometimes just sitting on my patio listening to bird songs. I notice the colors, shapes, scents and temperature. It rejuvenates me.
I dance. A couple nights a week I go out dancing. Focus on my body and get out of my head. I get to enjoy myself in the company of people who also like to dance and it’s a polar opposite activity from being alone in my quiet studio.
I go grocery shopping – which for many of you might seem counterintuitive. But I love the colors of the produce – deep purple/red beets and yellow peppers. The trip inspires me to make something delicious for dinner. I look around for a new food I haven’t tried before or something with a short season that I can only get for a couple of weeks. Variety is the spice of life and this includes my food!
I sleep. People think artists are up till the wee hours of the night creating endlessly. I don’t know any artists like that. I try to get into my work as early as possible in the day and at night I hit the pillow for solid sleep. This is the time of day that your brain sorts out the ideas you came up with and brings you solutions. The old adage about sleeping on a big decision is true for me. If I am stuck in a painting, I generally have a better idea how to go at it after a good night’s sleep.
I do nothing. Perhaps while soaking in the tub or sitting in a lawn chair. I try to stop the endless stream of ideas and questions and just do nothing. Often after 10 – 15 minutes of that, what I need to do next gets very clear and I have given myself the space to let it surface without worrying or overthinking.
I learn something new. New art process, new dance, new recipe, new trail, whatever. I get out of autopilot and try something different. It tells me a lot. And that feeds my creativity.

My list is mine. What nourishes you? What have you been wanting to do and haven’t make the time (or effort)? If you are going to be continuously dipping into the creative well for inspiration, you need to fill that well. I also believe it pays to dig the well before you are thirsty.

I’d love to hear your comments about what refuels you, rejuvenates you and inspires you. Thanks for checking out the blog and until next time, I wish you a creative week!

With gratitude,

Claude

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