A time to unlearn and start fresh...

If you've been reading my blog for a long time you might remember that I used to paint... a whole lot. Painting was actually the biggest part of my business for a few years. Some of my happiest memories from the first year of dating Jeremy are of me making big paintings while he recorded songs in the room beside me. It was a huge part of my life and then one day I stopped. This is a story about that... 

I started making paintings while I still had a full time design job. It became my passion and I spent more and more hours in my little home studio painting new pieces. I gave them to my friends, hung them alllll over my loft and eventually began to sell them in an Etsy shop. When we opened our first Red Velvet online (and local) shop my paintings were a huge part of the inventory. We sold them almost every day, which meant I was painting constantly for a few years. I tried some experimental paintings, but there was a certain style that consistently sold to my customers so I spent a lot of time developing those pieces. Jeremy reminded me recently that in those days I would sometimes pressure myself to stay up all night and finish as many as 10 paintings in a day. It was extreme, but my business was still gaining it's footing and we had bills to pay. 

I was (and still am) proud of my work. It was a good time and I learned a lot. It was a good season to learn how much I could accomplish with good time management and disipline. Eventually the business became more profitable and some new forms of income took a lot of pressure off me to paint. I needed a little break, so I took one. Breaks are good and in the meantime I tried out some other creative opportunities like designing dresses and teaching.

My break lasted more than a year before Emma started to patiently (and sometimes not-so-patiently) remind me that people were still e-mailing and asking about paintings on a weekly basis. I wanted to change up my style, but didn't quite know where to begin. In the past year I tried, many times, to start a new painting only to leave it on the shelf half finished. 

Fast forward to last night when I dropped my husband off for another tour and then drove straight to Michael's to buy new painting supplies. I am making it my personal mission to develop a new painting style that I fully love while he is away. I feel ready. I feel excited. 

I am determined to start painting again, even if it's just for fun! I miss the experience so badly. I just wanted to post this little blog to encourage any of you who feel stuck in a "style rut." Sometimes it's healthy to take some time to unlearn everything and give yourself a fresh start! xo, elsie 

Comments

[Katia]

This is so true! I find it really interesting, having JUST started off at an arts university, how vital it is to break away from my style for the simple purpose of, through the process of learning about new styles, developing the one I had! (run on sentence, oh well.)

Feeling inspired is the best :) I wish you luck! Hope to see some of your work soon :)

xo
http://kittysnooks.blogspot.com/

[Valerie]

Do you have photos of your old work posted online somewhere? I am curious to see these paitings now!

[Sarah]

Good for you, Elsie!!! Sometimes it is so hard to get out of a rut, even if it's something you love.

Can't wait to see what you paint. :)

[Hillery]

I really enjoyed reading this post. As humans it's easy to fall in and out of love with the different aspects of our creative selves, it's partly our job to interpret our desires and allow ourselves to fully enjoy the moments when they resurface, because it's at those times that we need those forms of expression the most. Go you for running off to get paint supplies!

[Corey Marie]

This is a super happy post. Good luck & I hope inspiration finds you!! <3

[Kim Bauer]

I've actually been reading back through your old posts (I'm a newer reader, within the last four months or so, I wanted to see some of your older posts) and am chronologically in the hey-day of your painting for RVA, so this post is fortuitously timed, because I was sad that I might never get a chance to see your art in real time! I'm happy to hear you're picking it up again, and even happier that you're excited about it. :) I'm sure you'll do marvelously, I look forward to it, and thanks for the inspiring words! <3

[Megan]

Yes Elsie! You must paint - I go through periods where I put my brush down (not for years, but for a few weeks here or there...) and when I pick it back up I feel like I'm ME again. When you paint, there is nothing but you and your canvas, and it's a wonderful place to be.

[Michelle]

This is great advice. It sucks when a hobby you used to do for fun ends up feeling forced and it loses all its specialness. Being able to eventually fall in love with it again is amazing, and learning and changing with it is even better. I try to pick up new crafts or hobbies every once in a while, but this makes me want to try something new right now - it's been a long time!
xoxo
Michelle
neonrattail.blogspot.com

[Mandy // Miss Indie]

I'm going through this exact same thing right now. I'm stuck in a major style rut and am trying to find my own style. I really want something that feels completely "me", ya know? I'm going to spend this weekend really doing some soul searching and figuring out exactly what I want. I wish you so so much luck with your creative/style journey. I'm excited to see more paintings from you! <3

[elsie]

Valerie, if you look at my 2009 archives you'll see them everywhere! :) Thanks for asking.
Here are a few faves-
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/10/a-new-painting.html
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/07/dream-home.html
XO

[Sonia]

You go, girl! I think breaks are absolutely necessary, especially when you make your passion your career. You forget what the purpose of your actions are - whether you do it because you love it, or do it because of the money. Stay true to yourself and stay true to your passions. And when you step back for a moment and realize you no longer are doing it for the passion, you take a break. Anyway, glad to hear you are back at it. Good luck! Keep inspiring :)

Sonia
sonialalagallery.blogspot.com

[Allison D]

Good for you for starting again! It's only right if you're doing it for yourself. I recently started drawing again after a few years off. I can't wait to see some of your new work. You're such an incredibly creative woman!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca

[April]

Elsie, I bought a print of one of your paintings in '08. I still get compliments on it, and I still LOVE it!
I'm excited to see how your style has evolved as life has changed so much for you over the last year. Good luck on your creative adventure! I hope it is entirely inspiring for you and opens up a whole new world of ideas.

ps...I've been reading your blog for about 7 years now. It's been so neat to see how much your blog and your style have grown and changed. Thanks for being such a generous writer and creator. I love following along on your creative journey!

[Lau]

waoh this post reminded me of the spirit of your blog at the beginnings :)

[Charlotte]

That is fantastic! Painting is one of many things I love to do but I also find it to be a major stress relieving activity. I too go through bouts of not painting for months at a time and when I pick up a brush again, I realize that I forgot how much I love it.

You inspire so many of us, can't wait to see what 2012 brings for your paintings!

[Sara]

It can be challenging and a little scary to "unlearn" something, and to start fresh...but you will be glad you did! I'm sure whatever you come up with will be beautiful!

[Dani]

I've done the same thing, except with writing. Sometimes a break is all you really need to refresh yourself, your mind and your passions. Excited to see the new take and adventures in painting!

[Heather]

I'm taking a painting class in school and trying to teach myself a little bit at home. Painting is just so fun and relaxing! Sigh...
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

[Sarah Starr]

So happy to hear you will be painting again! I used to paint & draw all the time and I too just sort of...stopped. Painting is so therapeutic & fun! Getting back into it is a goal of mine too; thanks for sharing! :)

[Bohemian Kate]

Do you have some photos of your paintings? I would love to see them...I used to draw and paint a lot as well and I've gone on to use my creativity in other ways, but to me there is nothing more exciting than being obsessed with your passion. Kudos to you for painting again!