Thursday, September 07, 2006

MIA Muse

I know you all think that my idea faucet is turned on full blast 24/7 and truthfully, I am blessed with free-flowing creativity a lot of the time. But peeps, I do have my moments where creative exhaustion reigns; conceptual droughts that provoke me to question the fibers of my artful prowess. This state, or lack thereof, should henceforth be known as the virtuosity void. And let me tell you, the virtuosity void ain’t fun. I mean, LadyLinoleum sans hook, needles, sketchbook, et al? Well, let’s just say this makes for a Less-Than-Lively-Lady of the Linoleum.

Now, the Linoleum-Less-Lively phase is cyclical. Sometimes is brought about by personal turmoil where my ability to focus on anything other than my current malaise is as improbable as it is impossible. Sometimes this phase occurs due to sheer happenstance. Nothing is more frustrating than feeling creatively bone dry for no apparent reason. Finally, Linoleum-Less-Lively can also set in after completing a particularly long project or series of projects, um, like now.

Yes my friends, I am spent. Preparing for Uncommon Threads while simultaneously churning out patterns for books and magazines has left me creativity calorie free. And you thought my ideas were scary before I stepped aboard flight platitude. I just wish you could see the tons of worthless junk floating about my cerebrum right now. Truly frightening. Just one peek at the idea detritus which currently plagues me would have you all bowing before alters of crocheted carnitas right snappy. I guarantee it!

This week (okay it’s only Thursday…Drama queen? Moi?) I began and frogged a gazillion projects. Sleep too has alluded me all week (yes, okay, Thursday, whatever) as I succumbed to memories of tragic daily attempts at rendering many an everyday object in yarn. If this weren’t enough, the ideas that have materialized in my addled brain are pretty darn dumb. Not clever/dumb either. Just damn dumb.

So, what’s a lowly, lacking, Lady of the Linoleum to do until the dam of ideas is released once again, bathing my cerebrum in a wash of images and icons, flights and fancies, particulars and peculiarities? Wait.

Wait while watching...

Wait while weathering…

Wait while contemplating…

For my muse is on holiday and mayhap will return soon. Until the time in which she appears I shall fill my moments with myriad activities leaving Linoleum-Less-Lacking. I'll drink wine, play chef, revisit my reading list, mingle with friends and bask in the brilliance that is my daughter’s mind, catch a flick with the hubby, take an evening walk, sit before the Pacific while jotting in my journal and be sure to laugh from the bottom of my soul...Oh, and hell, I may as well pattern test a few Monster Crochet Classics while I'm at it too! No reason why you all should suffer through my artistic enervation...

Sure, I'll miss MuseLinoleum while she's away, but I look forward to her return and the stories she's bound to have of her adventures. Yes, I'll definitely be taking notes...

19 comments:

Pam said...

I think getting into a funk is your mind's way of saying "slow down, I'll catch up in a bit" and then it will and you will and it'll all be good.

Yeah So said...

Yes, everyone needs a recharge every once in a while. I am a little excited (terrified?) to see what you'll come up with when you're full up!

Enjoy the break!

Anonymous said...

I suggest you crochet your own creative faucet to draw on from moments like these. :)

Crafty Andy said...

I think you need some Nopalitos with Queso fresco. Maybe some Chiles in Nogada Sauce!

You need to find your Inner Monster Crochet! Love you always, you are perfection after all. I see dolls and marionettes. Cheers!

Ro said...

Good god, woman, those of us who are nowhere near as muse-ically gifted as you get burn out!

You know the truth of it? I adore that Regina as much as the "crazy eyeball crocheting on bakery and veggies" Regina. They're both right peachy keen in my book.

You should see what I've been doing in my crochet-burnout. Star Trek role playing fiction, anyone? ROFL! it's not nearly as productive as your list sounds like it'll be.

I only wish I were kidding :D
I'm lucky though that usually my writing muse and my crochet muse never go on strike at the same time. If they ever do you'll find me in a rubber room somewhere whapping my finger against my lips and making a motorboat noise.
Enjoy your much deserved break, I know soon you'll be back bowing to the whims of the Muse and amazing us all.

xoxo
Ro

lisa solomon said...

my muse might be hanging out with yours???

Ms Knits said...

Yep, it's your mind telling your bod to take it easy.
By the way, my oldest daughter saw your work for the first time yesterday. She loved it but asked " Where are the snack food's? Cheeto's, corn chip's, potatoe chip's?".

Deneen said...

Down time for creativity is good-you cannot be that creative all the time (can you?). Recharge, read, cook, relax, it'll be back before you know it.

Jennifer said...

Definetly take a break, you deserve it!

Sus said...

Oh, how I relate to ro's call of wasting time with fandom-related uselessness!

Yes, LL, let the spirit take you where it will! It has brought you much crochet creativity, it will bring you joy of other flavors as well. Rest, cook, eat, read, bask. To every delicacy and debauchery made of fiber, there is a season!

Heather said...

ok, do you know about angrytooth?
http://angrytooth.com/plush/0706crochet/doug.html

Susan Schwake said...

hey there dear one, i think it is time to find an acetylene torch and crank up the heat.
good to put down the needles or at least weld them toghether?
... i always switch mediums when i want to create but not with my usual.
ok, i will stop being bossy...

Anonymous said...

A break is good. I don't think I crocheted for two weeks after getting back from LA. My brain was fried, and still is. I've done very little crocheting. I can't seem to get my act together. Iv'e found myself just doing other things. And it seems you've recognized you need a break and that's great. When your batteries are all charged, you'll be back in the game, better than ever. And you get to say you're "on holiday," which is just the keenest phrase. Don't skip the British accent when you say it. ;-)

Monique Marie Sauniere said...

I move in fits and starts. I knit then crochet then sew then read. All are good. One makes me wish for another. The muse shall return.

Promise.

electricbluebird.com said...

I know exactly what you mean. I go from not being able to sleep because there are so many ideas coming out of my head to dried up.

smg55039 said...

I crochet for charity. I'm making hats right now. The same hat. Over and over and over using the same yarn. Boring, plain, and oh so refreshing.

Plus you get that great fuzzy feeling of having helped someone when you are done.

Darlene said...

Hey - maybe your mind is telling you to take a breatk...You are beyond talented! Every mind needs a vacation every once in awhile!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy yuor break we will be all waiting for you!

natasha said...

i agree with pam, you are just pooped and your enormous, bulbous throbbing brain just needs a break. sheesh! that said, i have been feeling really funky all week, and have had sleeping problems and crazy nightmares, i will be working on a painting or something and get the shakes all of a sudden and have to sit down. i think it is maybe the change of the seasons. i have heard it from so many other people.

also, halloween is coming up, so you can be sure that your creative juices will begin flowing.

i have some fingering and sportweight handpainted merino i dyed ...would that cheer ya up?

the word verification spells CHUD. ew.