Natalyn Bradshaw

Dear artists,

Back in May, I wrote a poem as sort of a reminder and encouragement to myself. The poem says:

The inklings

The words

The feelings

The ideas

The meanings

Even the lack of meaning

Due to quick stream of consciousness

It’s all art

It’s been quite challenging for me to make anything this year. I’ve had a lot of brain fogginess, not to mention just general anxiety due to the pandemic. Add anger (that never fully goes away) from racial injustice and witnessing vast amounts of trauma, and my creativity has been pretty sparse. I wondered if this was going to be a prolonged creative block. Was not looking forward to that.

Then I remembered. I don’t know how exactly, but I did. And I wrote that poem.

We get so hard on ourselves (or maybe it’s just I get so hard on myself) when we feel like our creativity is tanking and our output isn’t what we think it should be. May I gently encourage you, and suggest that you narrow your vision for just a moment? I know that sounds weird, but go with me...

Whatever you can notice, whatever catches your eye or ear in the fleeting moments, whatever pops into your head (because plenty of stuff does), try to grab a piece of it. As insignificant as it may seem, hold it for a while. If you’re like me, you may find the instant springboard for something new. If you’re not like me, that which you’re holding mentally may become useful at a later date, so write it down (actually, this is still just like me). I’m amazed at how many times I’ve been able to go back to bits in this way and make something new. It takes the pressure off. There’s no overthinking involved.

Also, take one of those seemingly insignificant bits that you’ve written down and try to imagine describing it to someone. Describe it using the medium you’re most comfortable with. Paint it. Draw it. Write it. Build it. Even if you aren’t content with what comes out, let all of what has come out collectively then become the springboard for something new.

And if you can’t do any of that, or you don’t want to, then don’t. Just chill. This is an unprecedented time for all of us. Give yourself permission to rest. Give yourself and your practice time and space to breathe, literally and figuratively.

Because you yourself are art as well, and that’s more than enough. Never forget that. And if you didn’t know that, now you know.