Finally! We're getting somewhere...

This is my second attempt at writing this post. I tried to be smart and technology savvy, by writing a post via my phone, going back and forth adding a new bits but somewhere along the line I deleted it *sigh* never mind aye?
As you maybe able to tell by the lack of post talking about my own work, I've been stuck in a bit of a creative rut. You know how writers get writers block? I've got the creative rut, the illustrative version. Instead of working and getting frustrated at the fact it seems like I've lost the ability to draw over night, I sit refreshing Instagram every ten seconds or so and compare myself to other creatives. Usually these people are older and wiser than me with a lot more experience, but never the less I sit and get angry at the fact I'm not as good as people like Rob Ryan or Julia Potts and certainly not as productive as Ella Masters. All in all being very unsatisfied with my work and my general approach.
It's defiantly not a good thing to compare yourself to others. It is however a good thing to look to others for inspiration and sometimes the littlest thing can trigger something that will, in turn go on to create something amazing. But comparing yourself will only put you deeper into the lack of inspiration and motivation ditch.
On Friday I went to visit the college that I studied in last year. It's always nice to go back for a catch up and I needed advice on a set of Lino cutters that I've been thinking about buying. Whilst talking to my old print teacher he introduced me to a lady who is studying the City and Guilds printmaking course. It turned out that this lady had recently bought the Lino cutters that I'd been looking at. They're really beautiful things, I'll most defiantly be buying some soon.
She was so lovely and inspiring. We talked for ages about art, university, her daughter. She was the type of artistic person you could talk to all day and who'd help you. She recommended a few local life drawing classes too. The part of the conversation that sticks with me most is when she gave me the advice 'believe in your ability'. I think those words triggered something because I feel so inspired!
All weekend I'd been itching to draw but I didn't get around to it until Saturday night. Since then I've been drawing and painting every night. I come home make tea and then draw till one or two-ish. The last few days have been so lovely. I've not felt this happy in a while. I realise my work isn't perfect but its progressing and I feel so much better because of it.

The other evening I was looking on the Internet at different bits and bobs and I came across the words 'love when you're ready not when you're lonely'. They struck a chord. So I decided to get my watercolours out and paint!
Then once I finished that one I began painting a present for my sisters birthday. She was given some chickens so I took inspiration from that :) I just hope she likes it.
I feel so inspired and there are loads of things I have in mind to do and I'm trying to write them down so next time I have a mental block I'll be good and ready to smash it down :)

I've also drunk my weight in tea... So happy! Whooop!