[tizzylizzy]

I am going to start my 4th semester in college in my 1 year. My problem is comprehension. Can anybody give me advice? I now I need to give myself time to relaxe, and that is where art and photography come in, but I have all of a sudden lost interest in it. How do I get it back? Can somebody give me some links or advice? Because when people give me advice, I really do use it.

[DePressMe]

Tizzylizzy,
I am also an artist and I have been stuck in a non-creative black hole for several months. Part of it is my meds. I consider myself to be a painter/printmaker. I mainly do monotypes because canvas and oil paints are so expensive. Of course, now, I got thousands of dollars invested in painting/printmaking supplies.

I am trying to get back into it. I think it has helped me to try a few new things to sorta spark my creativity—I have tried to crochet (yeah, not something I ever saw myself doing!! And I don’t if I will ever get it done.). I’ve done some experimenting with acrylic paints on wood because it’s cheap (Hobby Lobby or Joanne’s). I bought a kit to make friendship bracelets and I even bought one of those silly kids potholder makers—the ones that you braid the loops through a plastic frame. Basically, anything that makes me think about color and design and easy enough to not cause me stress. The kids section is not just for kids!

I hope you can find your creativity because I understand the emptiness caused by loss of artistic creativity. Yeah, I think my comprehensions for other tasks go up when I am doing art to help calm myself--even if it's a silly "kids" project. I even use the pot holders that I made!


Take Care,
DePressMe

[Rose3]

About the comprehension: could you try this - read the material 3 times - by the third time, you might comprehend it better/fully. I used to find that if I prepared questions about the material (as if I was writing the exam) - then this helped me focus on the important points in the material. Or try explaining some of what you've been studying to another person.
I used to prepare outlines for the various topics covered in my courses - making sure that I had included 10 main points (and then under each one - include 5 - 10 points) - to make sure that I had something to say about every topic.
To experience your interest and creativity again - maybe try a different medium, or look at some work of other artists and feel inspiration.

Or go to an art therapist? Sometimes they can help to unblock.

[Indie'sOK]

(((Tizzy))) I wish I could offer advice about the comprehension problem, but I know what you mean about the art block. I've had that problem for a while with my writing. It's like I've been continually writing about the same thing over and over, you know? I too think an art therapist could maybe help with this.