“…we know that an untroubled state of mind cannot last, so we say that inspiration comes and goes, but it is there all the time waiting for us to be untroubled again. We can therefore say that it is pervasive.”
— Agnes Martin
When things are hectic and an untroubled mind miles away, give yourself permission to try to think of nothing but painting for half an hour, pushing other thoughts aside with a “later” command. If not to actually paint then to doodle in a sketchbook. At the very least it exercises your fingers.
Marion: that is such excellent advice! From experience, I’ve found this to be so true ….except that I forget sometimes, and it was good to be reminded. Indeed, there is something very centering about having that brush or pencil in hand without being concerned about the outcome, but just getting lost in the “doing” and from that simple action, the Muse enters again.