Watch now | There are no rules. Whenever you start, that is the right time. Whatever you draw, or write, or create, however long it takes, is right. And when its finished, its finished.
Oh Emily! This is breathtakingly beautiful writing. So immersive and enchanting. And SUCH good advice. I'm absolutely guilty of rushing my creative endeavours, almost as if I'm scared that the inspiration might leave me before I finish. I shall try and heed your very wise words and take my time.
This is such an important message! I often feel like I don't have enough time and have to rush things in order to get to my goal, but in reality most things turn out way better if we just let go of the how long it takes and focus on the process itself and make that an enjoyable experience.
Emily thanks for this brilliant reminder to exercise patience. I am a writer, not an artist, but the same principle applies. Your sketch is amazing! The jigsaw puzzle would be next-level challenging!!
I’ve been thinking about time and numbers and how we all, at one point or another, get so preoccupied with all that really has no meaning where creativity is concerned that we somehow stress of an unfinished project until it’s no longer a pleasure it’s a chore - an almost impossible on to complete because we’ve convinced ourselves there’s no point, it’s too old, or it’s not good enough, or it’s just all wrong... this really is such very wise advice Emily. And so very needed here this morning...
Your octopus is beautiful, I’m so glad you finished her!
I loved reading this! 🥰 I've often wanted to ask you what you use - pencil, paint, etc., for your illustrations. I recently tried soft pastels for the first time and although they're quite difficult to control, I've loved using them! ☺️ But I'm very impatient and like to be finished a piece in one sitting... I really need to take more time.
Really great post Emily. Thanks for the reminder. Patience with the craft and with ourselves is so important.
As an artist and writer, I find that knowing when to walk away does help but knowing when to walk back and not allowing that window to close is part of the process.
This is so delightful to read. It evoked an excitement within me as I too had these images I wanted to faithfully create on paper as a youngster and adult I recall.
The process of drawing I find echoed in my writing life. It’s a very new part of my life, but that feeling of time being suspended when I’m in the zone and the words are flowing freely is as you describe so eloquently. I have done writing that started out easily enough but has ground to a halt. I felt frustrated with it until I decided to leave it to one side and write what wanted to be written about a completely different subject. Who knows if I will ever go back to it . It’s parked!
I love this post and came back to it a second time to re-read.
I've spent my whole adult life struggling with the constraints of time – either not having enough, or things taking longer than I think they should. Then while recovering from cancer I had months of free time and that's when I discovered that having MORE time did not change the pressure I felt about time. I realized that the problem was not time, but rather my beliefs about it. It is hard to change those beliefs but I'm working on it. Things, especially art things, take the time they take.
You’re so right Nika. And isn’t it so nice to have such beautiful reminders of this from time to time. Lol I think it’s hard not to use time. 😁 but rather than let it use us, we learn to use it for our creative advantage, allowing us to savour the moment. 🥰 I’m glad we can be reminders for each other too.
Emily, so much of this piece speaks to me because of my own experiences with creativity and inspiration. I loved the beautiful take aways about patience and knowing that things will finally feel complete within us when it is the right time. At least this is how I read it ☺️. And your description of getting lost in the dream with Gamora reminded me so much of the tangible feeling of a mystical experience as well. I know I put a spiritual note on this, but I guess it’s because it spoke to the deepest part of me that longs to get lost in such creative moments like that too. (And I feel lucky to have experienced this too 😇) thanks so much for sharing this magical journey and Gamora with us.
I've had to leave so many things on pause over the last few years for health reasons - this is a real encouragement to read - they will be waiting for me if ability returns - and one day possibly even finished!
Excellent advice Emily. And, a lovely piece. The graphite pencil, specifically the No.2, is the first tool I used as a child for artistic expression. Still is.
Oh Emily! This is breathtakingly beautiful writing. So immersive and enchanting. And SUCH good advice. I'm absolutely guilty of rushing my creative endeavours, almost as if I'm scared that the inspiration might leave me before I finish. I shall try and heed your very wise words and take my time.
This is such an important message! I often feel like I don't have enough time and have to rush things in order to get to my goal, but in reality most things turn out way better if we just let go of the how long it takes and focus on the process itself and make that an enjoyable experience.
Emily thanks for this brilliant reminder to exercise patience. I am a writer, not an artist, but the same principle applies. Your sketch is amazing! The jigsaw puzzle would be next-level challenging!!
I’ve been thinking about time and numbers and how we all, at one point or another, get so preoccupied with all that really has no meaning where creativity is concerned that we somehow stress of an unfinished project until it’s no longer a pleasure it’s a chore - an almost impossible on to complete because we’ve convinced ourselves there’s no point, it’s too old, or it’s not good enough, or it’s just all wrong... this really is such very wise advice Emily. And so very needed here this morning...
Your octopus is beautiful, I’m so glad you finished her!
I loved reading this! 🥰 I've often wanted to ask you what you use - pencil, paint, etc., for your illustrations. I recently tried soft pastels for the first time and although they're quite difficult to control, I've loved using them! ☺️ But I'm very impatient and like to be finished a piece in one sitting... I really need to take more time.
I really needed to read this today. Thank you!
Really great post Emily. Thanks for the reminder. Patience with the craft and with ourselves is so important.
As an artist and writer, I find that knowing when to walk away does help but knowing when to walk back and not allowing that window to close is part of the process.
This is so delightful to read. It evoked an excitement within me as I too had these images I wanted to faithfully create on paper as a youngster and adult I recall.
The process of drawing I find echoed in my writing life. It’s a very new part of my life, but that feeling of time being suspended when I’m in the zone and the words are flowing freely is as you describe so eloquently. I have done writing that started out easily enough but has ground to a halt. I felt frustrated with it until I decided to leave it to one side and write what wanted to be written about a completely different subject. Who knows if I will ever go back to it . It’s parked!
I love this post and came back to it a second time to re-read.
I've spent my whole adult life struggling with the constraints of time – either not having enough, or things taking longer than I think they should. Then while recovering from cancer I had months of free time and that's when I discovered that having MORE time did not change the pressure I felt about time. I realized that the problem was not time, but rather my beliefs about it. It is hard to change those beliefs but I'm working on it. Things, especially art things, take the time they take.
Mesmerizing.
You’re so right Nika. And isn’t it so nice to have such beautiful reminders of this from time to time. Lol I think it’s hard not to use time. 😁 but rather than let it use us, we learn to use it for our creative advantage, allowing us to savour the moment. 🥰 I’m glad we can be reminders for each other too.
Emily, so much of this piece speaks to me because of my own experiences with creativity and inspiration. I loved the beautiful take aways about patience and knowing that things will finally feel complete within us when it is the right time. At least this is how I read it ☺️. And your description of getting lost in the dream with Gamora reminded me so much of the tangible feeling of a mystical experience as well. I know I put a spiritual note on this, but I guess it’s because it spoke to the deepest part of me that longs to get lost in such creative moments like that too. (And I feel lucky to have experienced this too 😇) thanks so much for sharing this magical journey and Gamora with us.
Your artwork is so stunning, I love seeing it come into being.
I've had to leave so many things on pause over the last few years for health reasons - this is a real encouragement to read - they will be waiting for me if ability returns - and one day possibly even finished!
She’s beautiful. And thank you for the advice. Important to let things take their time ☺️
Excellent advice Emily. And, a lovely piece. The graphite pencil, specifically the No.2, is the first tool I used as a child for artistic expression. Still is.