The Art of Slowing Down: Finding Inspiration in the Pause

We often talk about the creative "flow". It feels like that energetic state where ideas are rushing in and the paintbrush can barely keep up. But we rarely talk about the opposite: the creative "pause."

As many of you know, I recently traveled to Colorado. The mountains there were breathtaking and full of inspiration. I felt my mind filling up with new imagery and color palettes. I was ready to come home and pour all of that energy onto the canvas.

But life had other plans.

Instead of diving into the studio, I came home and immediately came down with the flu. My "mountain high" was replaced by days of rest, tea, and staring at the ceiling.

The Guilt of the Unfinished Canvas That I Could Not Escape

Lying in bed, I felt that familiar itch of anxiety. I’m behind. I should be painting. I should be writing new blog posts. I have nothing to post…but I have so many ideas losing their spark.

In our fast-paced world, stillness often feels like failure. We are conditioned to believe that if we aren't producing, we aren't progressing. And that thought can be extremely detrimental to our ability to actually produce. As artists, it can be paralyzing.

I’m working on coming back to my craft, with stillness, more pause, and more breath.

However, as I started to feel better and returned to the studio this week, I realized something. The downtime wasn't a blockage; it was a filter. The flu forced me to stop "doing" and just "be."

Just like in nature, and specifically in those Colorado mountains, there are seasons of rapid growth and seasons of dormancy. You cannot have one without the other. My body forced me to take the rest my mind wouldn't give me, and now as I start to feel better, I can go back into it with a slower attitude.

Returning to the Work

Now that I am back at the easel, I am moving a little slower, but with more intention. I’m not just painting to "catch up"; I’m painting to reconnect, and reconnect with my center within the studio again.

I’m currently working on new biomorphic abstracts with inspiration from under the microscope. When I feel like my energy doesn’t have it in me, I pull out some new slides to refocus and inspire me.

If you are feeling the pressure to "hustle" right now, consider this your permission slip to slow down. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your work is to step away from it until you have the energy to love it again.

Thank you for being patient with me while I recovered. I can’t wait to show you what comes next.