Fighting the Sepia-Toned Indifference

  I recently found something I had lost and thought was gone - missing forever. I looked everywhere, starting first with the couch cushions, under the bed and elsewhere. I happened to find it when I was wasn't even looking! It was my inspiration to create, to paint, make sculpture, write and draw. I had really hit a dry spell. There are specific factors in my life I could blame - that I could point to and say "Yeah, that was a lot of crap to go through -no wonder!" But the honest truth is some internal wellspring of creative juices had gone from a slow drip to completely dry! I suffered a malady that is actually common to artists, that is a form of apathy. Not knowing others have suffered with this diabolical condition I called it Sepia-Toned Indifference. I had no explanation, but making things - actually creating something, seemed like a complete waste of time.

  Now, what's really important in this story is there were a few factors that made me snap out of it. One source of inspiration is, and always will be, the constant love and support from my wife Paula. Another was a trip to the American Southwest where I saw natural sights so astounding I wanted to capture that moment in a painting. There are natural wonders in Arizona and Utah that photography doesn't have the technology to capture the real beauty of the many canyons and sights. 

Red Canyon, Utah ~ Photo Credit: Maxx

  Another experience which helped break my apathy was a podcast featuring an author whom I would like to wholeheartedly recommend if like me you find yourself fighting Sepia-Toned Indifference. 

  While listening to a podcast I heard author Sam Bennett's speaking about her book "Get it Done!" Yes, at this point I rolled my eyes too and thought "Ack, another self-help author, Lord spare me!" In reaching for my iPhone to find something else to listen to, the author Sam, immediately started talking about me! Well not me exactly, but I could tell from the dialog that she was indeed a creative person and completely "got" what I had been going through.

  If you ever happen to see this Blog post Samantha Bennett, thank you! And you dear reader I know your first reaction will be resistance to reading her book - it's the apathy - trust me this book could get your creative juices flowing again. The book is worth the cover price and on the KIndle it's really very reasonably priced.

  Links for Sam's book on Amazon ---> "Get it Done!"

  And her web site ---> The Organized Artist. Sam offers many free videos on YouTube too which also can be utilized to help pull your creative life together!

  I also recommend the Podcast which is the Savvy Painter Podcast hosted by Antrese Wood. Find her Podcast with guest Samantha Bennett here ---> Savvy Painter Podcast!

Grand Canyon, Arizona ~ Private View ~ Photo Credit: Maxx

  By taking a relatively short hike Paula & I were able to get away from the crowded overlooks at the Grand Canyon (yes, that's my foot in the picture). Sitting in the shade and enjoying the view - what an experience! It took an effort, it took planning on our part. But like anything worthwhile it was worth the effort. So is fighting for your creativity - don't give up, keep navigating through the thicket of life and you'll eventually shrug off the Sepia-Toned Indifference!

  And a quick update of my Edgar Allan Poe painting to end the post. More work still to go before it's getting the Maxx name on it!

Edgar Allan Poe Portrait ~ Acrylic on Canvas ~ Credit: Maxx