What is Artist Block?
Making Art:
Artists have two internal voices which actively direct their studio work. The first voice is a motivator, ready to face challenges and happy to play, experiment and problem solve. The second is a critical voice which is always anticipating problems and evaluating results. Each of these forces is important because the motivation to create art gets the artist into the studio and the critical voice sets standards which allow the work to continually improve.
Work in the Studio:
It is essential that the two forces which effect an artist are in balance. Without the motivation to produce, there is no art making. At the same time, if the critical voice becomes too strong, fear of failure can stop an artist from working. I think all artists experience artist block at some point. For me, an invisible wall seems to appear, often when I need to change my style, my subject matter or my medium. The reassessment that happens at such a time often leads to new work.
Janus, a ceramic sculpture, 11” x 8” x 8” is named for a mythological god with two faces. The sculpture was a departure for me because it is much more realistic than the pieces I was making at the time and I was ready for a change.
