Creating Art Through Hard Times

For an introverted creature of habit like myself, adjusting to new living situations can be very draining. I've had trouble getting myself to create art again because I haven't really felt like myself, but I was finally able to do something today despite the constant interruptions and my lack of energy. 

The pencil drawing of the fist (below) was the last sketch I created at my last apartment before getting extremely busy with the moving situation. My husband and I have now been at our new place for 5 nights. Yesterday I decided to start with some pencil eye studies in my sketchbook after having tried to create a watercolor painting the night before which simply didn't work out. Today I finally went for a watercolor painting again. At the beginning I didn't like it at all and almost gave up, but I decided to work through it. It's not the best I've done, but I'm happy I decided to finish it. I am trying not to be very hard on myself at the moment and went for a subject that I have been successful at before. 

My working area hasn't been set up yet and whenever I think about it I start to get anxious, but at least I can see things moving forward here in the house. I am hopeful that in another week or two, my husband and I will be able to make this new home our own and our routines can go back to normal. In the mean time, I will keep doing whatever I can. Even if it's just studies in my sketchbook or fun sketches, I will continue through these times of transition. I really hate feeling like I lost my creative flow or get set back, especially now that I am determined to start my own art business. 

I think it is important to keep in mind that transitional phases are a part of life and that we have to do our best to remain positive throughout them. As artists, we can use times like these to rethink our purpose for creating and think about how these new experiences and environments can add to our artwork. 

Thanks for reading and cheers for new beginnings!