Hi clydeblack, I too am an artist. I picked up painting again two months ago after two years of slowly fading away by drinking and hanging out at dive bars, surrounded by others who had given up. I had hit a creative wall and didn’t know what else to do. I did the worst thing an artist can do: give up. And I didn’t even realize I had done so. Then a new friend who saw what I was doing to myself (he is a musician who understands the creative process) told me that there was a studio space available in his building and why don’t look into it. I did and here I am, back in the creative flow.

As you know, creativity ebbs and flows. The most important thing is to tread water and hang in there when it ebbs. You are so insightful to understand that you do have a choice.

I’m not sure if this addresses your post, but I hope it helps.