When the Creative Tide Goes Quiet

As an artist, I really love to be an encouragement to my artistic friends.  But, for these last few months - for a variety of reasons - it has felt more difficult to arrive at encouraging words.  Even in my studio work, it has felt a little sluggish and "stuck".  I'm still sorting out all the reasons why, but I think it points to how our creative minds ebb and flow. 

I’ve allowed this creative ebb to give space to be still instead of pushing on. For me, that has had an echo of scripture “be still and know that I am God.” And it’s been really life-giving to my heart and mind as important reminders have come into focus. I hope sharing this with you will be an encouragement to you; not just for your creative pursuits but in other realms of living.

I’ve been reminded that my design isn’t accidental. It is purposefully given to me and isn’t dependent on circumstances or opinions for validation. This is important because, by nature, there is vulnerability in creativity and putting our work out there.

By exploring and using the gifts of creative expression within my design, I am doing more than just expressing myself. I am uniquely, in my own voice, releasing goodness and beauty, thoughtfulness and understanding into the world. I’m bringing the unseen into the realm of the seen. What has not existed before is now tangible.

Do you find this to be pretty amazing and encouraging — beautiful — in a world seemingly so devoid of beauty? Couldn’t creative expression be just a small dose of antidote we get to provide?

Just in the last few weeks, I’ve been greatly encouraged and surprised by people on several different occasions responding to something I’ve created with how it has touched them, encouraged them, or helped them to see beauty… how they’ve felt connected through the art. I’ve had several unexpected opportunities to speak face to face with people viewing my art and that’s been a beautiful connection.

This season of ebb has reminded me that my creative design and the work I do as an artist is not random. It’s needed. It’s a way in which the goodness of God flows into the world; individually with purpose. It’s something I believe. And it’s something I need —we need — to be reminded of, especially when life’s demands and challenges make it easy to forget.

If you’ve been in an ebb of creative flow, I hope this is an encouragement to you, which we all need from time to time.  We need some times of stillness to rest and re-energize, to re-imagine, to observe, and to gather ideas. 

It’s been a place for me to shift my mind from everything I have to do, and rely on God’s peace and presence to bring calm and lead me gently. If this is a season of ebb, don't be discouraged!  It's just the time you need to quietly listen, watch and let new ideas come to life.  As the tide goes out, it also comes back!  

I'd love to hear from you!  As we connect, we give encouragement to one another.  

Photo Credit: Leif Linding