I am in it right now and slowly climbing out of it. I had not done anything in such a long while that I had become scared of my own voice/too self-conscious or too shy to speak in drawing and writing.
I have not been on Instagram much lately but popped in and saw that you said something about feeling burned out. It's weird the pressures and anxieties we can start to feel. Everything else I started to write here was feeling false so I figured I'd just address it directly. I'm so glad you're climbing out of it. Yours is one of my absolute FAVORITE voices out there. ❤️
well, I will try to motivate you by saying the local library finally delivered a request I had made when this book of yours first came out. I am now holding THE FIELD GUIDE TO GRAPHIC LIT. and it's a 'keeper'--maybe if I am good, Santa might give me a copy of it 'round Christmas. Do ya think?
anyway, IT IS WONBDERFUL AND I AM GOING THOUGH IT BIT-BY-BIT. So maybe you deserve a rest break, do ya hink? Sometimes it pays to let things percolate for awhile.
Oh Jeanne, that's awesome to hear about the Field Guide!! Thanks for requesting it, and I love to know that you are using it! And you're right: I think I've been due for a break! Thank you again. ❤️🥰
I know the pressure and the procrastination. Right now I’m not starting anything new from scratch. Rather, I’m taking old monotype prints — ghost prints or less successful pieces— and collaging over them. It’s fun, therapeutic, and a way to make art while the muse watches basketball.
I used to love writing blogs back in the day before Instagram took hold. I thought I'd take to Substack like a duck to water but I find it really hard to get motivated! Love this post Kelcey! 🙌
Thanks, Jess! I blogged on Wordpress for over a decade (inconsistently!) and somewhat reluctantly moved over to Substack. I've come to love it, but there was a big learning curve: because it's not really a blog (which I was used to) and not really a newsletter (which is the word it uses)--it's a whole other thing!
I hear you. Please know that your "scribbles" bring joy to my day, whenever they land in my in-box. I have both your books and am really enjoying reading The Keeper. Your work is worth waiting for. Thank you.
OMG. This made me laugh out loud. It amazes me how you can draw what you feel. And I am so there with you about the need to keep writing even when you can't (or think you can't) write. I spent numerous hours staring at the screen trying to jump start something I'd put aside because I was overwhelmed with real life stuff--as in yard work, writers center stuff, etc.
Yay, thanks, Barb! The best compliment of all is when someone says I made them laugh out loud! I hate the "staring at the screen" part, which I for too long before writing this. Hope you bust through! (I mean, I KNOW you will. It's just a glitch.)
Right there with you at the moment. I just don’t feel that intense drive to create that I did earlier this year. I’m choosing to blame the weather and changing of seasons. And I know it won’t last forever, so I’m not worried about it, as you said.
I do think it's seasonal. I just finished a busy semester and need some rest! And it makes sense that our drive and priorities and motivations aren't static but constantly shifting. Onward!
Indeed. Been there.
I loved this one, Kelcey! Especially the last image — love how you brought the two together 🙌
Was going to say the same thing. That last illustration really got me. 😭😭😭
Yeah, me too!
Aww, thanks so much, Candace, Madalyn, and Margreet! ❤️🥰
Me too!
So great, thank you. And I'm also there now for some reason. Interesting, waves of motivation.
Waves is a good word. They come and go--luckily! I hope your current shifts soon!
I am in it right now and slowly climbing out of it. I had not done anything in such a long while that I had become scared of my own voice/too self-conscious or too shy to speak in drawing and writing.
I have not been on Instagram much lately but popped in and saw that you said something about feeling burned out. It's weird the pressures and anxieties we can start to feel. Everything else I started to write here was feeling false so I figured I'd just address it directly. I'm so glad you're climbing out of it. Yours is one of my absolute FAVORITE voices out there. ❤️
well, I will try to motivate you by saying the local library finally delivered a request I had made when this book of yours first came out. I am now holding THE FIELD GUIDE TO GRAPHIC LIT. and it's a 'keeper'--maybe if I am good, Santa might give me a copy of it 'round Christmas. Do ya think?
anyway, IT IS WONBDERFUL AND I AM GOING THOUGH IT BIT-BY-BIT. So maybe you deserve a rest break, do ya hink? Sometimes it pays to let things percolate for awhile.
Oh Jeanne, that's awesome to hear about the Field Guide!! Thanks for requesting it, and I love to know that you are using it! And you're right: I think I've been due for a break! Thank you again. ❤️🥰
I know the pressure and the procrastination. Right now I’m not starting anything new from scratch. Rather, I’m taking old monotype prints — ghost prints or less successful pieces— and collaging over them. It’s fun, therapeutic, and a way to make art while the muse watches basketball.
Wonderful idea to repurpose old prints..."ghost prints" has a magical sound to it, more like collaboration...
What a coincidence! I just wrote about that too!
https://mirandavandenheuvel.substack.com/p/why-motivation-is-not-the-problem
Oh wow! Just read your post! loved it!
Got your fields guide book for Mother’s Day and I’m loving it. Thank you - even if you’re not feeling motivated lately.
Thanks, Sophia! That's awesome to hear!
I really love your work, Kelcey! I hope you keep doing what you’re doing.
Thanks so much for saying so, Cathy! 🥰
Thanks for being open and honest. It helps me to know I’m not alone those during weeks it is hard to finish….or to begin.
We always FEEL alone in these times, but we're not!
I used to love writing blogs back in the day before Instagram took hold. I thought I'd take to Substack like a duck to water but I find it really hard to get motivated! Love this post Kelcey! 🙌
Thanks, Jess! I blogged on Wordpress for over a decade (inconsistently!) and somewhat reluctantly moved over to Substack. I've come to love it, but there was a big learning curve: because it's not really a blog (which I was used to) and not really a newsletter (which is the word it uses)--it's a whole other thing!
The migration has been a success INMO
I hear you. Please know that your "scribbles" bring joy to my day, whenever they land in my in-box. I have both your books and am really enjoying reading The Keeper. Your work is worth waiting for. Thank you.
Wow, thank you so much, Amanda! This is really lovely to hear! ❤️
dear kelcey,
thank you for the beautiful scribbling, and more!
love
myq
Love this, Kelcey! Well said and delightfully illustrated.
Thanks so much, Jane! ❤️
OMG. This made me laugh out loud. It amazes me how you can draw what you feel. And I am so there with you about the need to keep writing even when you can't (or think you can't) write. I spent numerous hours staring at the screen trying to jump start something I'd put aside because I was overwhelmed with real life stuff--as in yard work, writers center stuff, etc.
Yay, thanks, Barb! The best compliment of all is when someone says I made them laugh out loud! I hate the "staring at the screen" part, which I for too long before writing this. Hope you bust through! (I mean, I KNOW you will. It's just a glitch.)
Right there with you at the moment. I just don’t feel that intense drive to create that I did earlier this year. I’m choosing to blame the weather and changing of seasons. And I know it won’t last forever, so I’m not worried about it, as you said.
I do think it's seasonal. I just finished a busy semester and need some rest! And it makes sense that our drive and priorities and motivations aren't static but constantly shifting. Onward!