Ebb

I’ve been in a period of Ebb lately. Some might call it creative block, but I’m really not blocked. I’m keeping with my sketchbook practice, drawing from life daily and exploring other ways I want to draw. I also have several art projects I’m working on—some I keep up with like my moon paintings, some I’ve let go (for now) like my stitch book, and some I’ve added lately—but nothing worth sharing just quite yet.

That’s the beauty of keeping up with a practice of any kind. You do it anyway because that’s what you do.

I actually think the tide is about to turn—I feel it coming—but for the last few weeks I’ve definitely been in Ebb, which I seem to only be able to describe with this metaphor of the sea. Because like the sea, creativity is a natural energy that comes in and goes out, and comes back again. Over time I’ve noticed the same rhythm.

Sometimes, the tide is strong. Tons of ideas tumble in, and the creative waters just feel so exciting! To really go with this metaphor (why not?) when creative tides are high—I’m out there body surfing! First, bobbing in the water, waiting in the open for just the right wave—and then with a leap of faith at just the right moment, riding one into shore. And then paddling back out as fast as I can to catch the next one. I can never get enough!

Ebb, though, is when the tides fall back. Things get quiet. The energy of the water—at least on shore—is low. And suddenly, ideas don’t roll in as quickly, the excitement falls away too.

It’s easy to get frustrated in these Ebb times. I so want to get out there again and feel that thrill of catching a really good, creative wave! But creativity doesn’t work that way.

There would be no ocean without the rhythm of the tides.Ebb is as necessary as flow.

So it’s just time now too sit on the shore (or maybe in a window seat here in cold, wet Caliornia!) and contemplate the horizon.

Scanning for the next big wave set.