Episode 62: Getting Through Winter




The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell show

Summary: <p>Rebecca and Ross discuss the difficulties of dealing with the extreme winter that many artists are experiencing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.rebeccacrowell.com" rel="nofollow">www.rebeccacrowell.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.squeegeepress.com" rel="nofollow">www.squeegeepress.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast" rel="nofollow">www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast</a></p> <p>Podcast notes:<br> Getting through Winter</p> <p>Intro: A lot of our listeners live in places that have had a very difficult winter this<br> year with lots of snow, below zero temperatures, and bad roads, and all of this<br> means added stress, challenges and time-consuming chores that can interfere<br> with the more creative aspects of life.</p> <p>Last week Rebecca asked our Facebook friends to comment on how they are<br> coping with this difficult season. Today we’re going to discuss some of their<br> answers and strategies—</p> <hr> <p>Winter in Wisconsin/upper Midwest--what that has been like<br> March especially frustrating since it is spring elsewhere<br> the realities of things like the need to shovel one’s roof, cars that won’t start,<br> impassable streets etc.</p> <p>A few people weighed in from the opposite extreme of climate, very hot weather<br> such as in Australia winter—any extremes are difficult<br> Answers from facebook post—<br> Winter as a time to hibernate, create, excuse to say no to things and focus on<br> your inner life</p> <p>Works best if your studio is in your house<br> And if things are basically settled and peaceful in your life<br> Means accepting a lower activity level and smaller projects or level of<br> ambition; enjoying a hibernating feeling</p> <p>One person commented that an artist’s work is always going on even<br> when not physically making art—planning, reading, thinking<br> Some draw inspiration from winter, such as using warmer palette or<br> finding beauty in the starkness</p> <p>Difficulties:<br> Suffering from SAD and isolation<br> Lack of motivation<br> Lack of exercise (other than snow shoveling!)<br> Feeling blocked and struggling with difficult feelings of lack of worth for the<br> work as result of emotional stress<br> Physical difficulty getting to studio’<br> Frustration with deadlines that still have to be met<br> Lack of daylight<br> Unable to have usual ventilation/doing things outside/<br> interruption of usual routines to deal with weather, hard to keep a<br> schedule</p> <p>Suggestions:<br> Scale back, Accept that smaller projects done at home may be necessary at<br> times<br> Not planning big projects or shows; but of course, this may not be<br> practical—life goes on<br> Imagining this ahead of time and planning/getting set up, realizing that it<br> may be hard to motivate from the beginning once winter sets in<br> Look for some way to do exercise—stationary bike or other equipment mall<br> walking, x-c ski<br> Even a short break if possible, in better weather can help<br> Reach out to other artists in your area, even a call or email can help<br> Move</p>