I'll go through periods, sometimes months long, where I won't want anything to do with art. I don't draw, don't paint, nothing. My parents don't like it when I show interest in dance classes or going out for the play, they say I should "focus on my art." I've tried explainging to them that you can't just make yourself draw, or it will show in your picture. You have to want to do it, or be inspired to.
Does this happen to you? Hopefully you don't have people around to nag you about it.
lol I showed them doodles from my notebook but it wasn't enough XD


(attatched is a drawing of a puppy I did a few months ago =)

[attachmentid=9275]

((oh wow, I just realized that picture was huge, shows all the little colored pencil gaps. lol oh well))

Fastest way to get someone to stop doing something is to make it like work! They need to lighten up on you! I watched a friend of mine as a youg teenager go from loving art to not touching it for years. This was do to pushy grownups!
Now as a person who did not get the opertunity to know art at a young age, (thought you had to have some god given tallent like my friend, and if you had it you could just draw, which I couldn't) so I never tired. I wish I had someone encouraging me to learn so I will say this to you, "Learn now while you are young, work at it and have fun"!
People ask me why I don't get into airbrushing cars and bikes. I explain it becomes work as soon as I have to paint something that someone else wants, and it is not something I am inspired to paint! Yes, you can make money, but you can make money doing many things. I don't want to make my fun hobby into to much work or I won't do it any more ;-)
So to actually answer your question, yes there are times when I don't do any art and focus on one of my other hobbies, after a while, I start needing to do a painting or a drawing and get back into it. Time of the year has a lot to do with it. Bad weather = art, nice weather = outside projects. I hope you don't let people around you push you to the point of rebelling by doing nothing, that would be bad and you would be sorry in later years. Good luck and try to have fun!
Doug

I've had it happen as well, though luckily I always end up seeing an image or drawing or just a random thing or person around me that makes me feel like drawing it and before I know it I'm at it again... I agree with airscapes too, it becomes a chore if people make you do it. My wife is very nice about it, she won't mention it when I stop, but when I dig my pencils out again, she'll smile and say she's glad I'm drawing again.

I wonder though, why do your parents say you should focus on your art? According to your profile, you just turned 15 two days ago (or one day if it's not past midnight there yet... so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!) so I'm a little surprised your parents would rather have you sit at home and draw than to have you go out and have some fun or broaden your art with dance, song and theater.

Not only has happened to me, I am just back from one year of "Ducking" drawing. Back in the swing now putting out a portrait a day like before. Dang, forgot to download it...That's it...your brain goes when you start drawing again...or you start drawing again because your brain is gone...can't remember which. Either way your brain at minimum needs a lobotomy. That having been achieved you can draw with the right side of your brain. Get it...lol?

It's nothing strange to have periods when you don't focus on art. We all need to "charge our batteries" and do something else.

Personally I had a big break that lasted for almost 2 years before I picked up a pencil again...which is a couple of years ago now. Since then it's been on and off. I also do 3d and photography, so when I can't or don't feel like spending my time in a corner with my pencils, I do either of those two instead.

Don't let anyone push you into drawing. It should be in your own time since you cannot be productive and creative on demand. Simply doesn't work that way.

So don't worry.
I think we all have our "on and offs" at times

Christa

I think it is a known fact that all artists have their "blank" times. I guess the well needs to be replenished in some way so concentrating on something else for a time seems to work. I too have just come back from one of those times when I had a huge job of creative sewing to do and it lasted for just over a year before I got out the drawing materials again. I agree with the others that forcing someone to draw is a travesty and shouldn't be allowed.

Nevertheless, motivating someone to draw is another thing. Creating an atmosphere where the drawing materials are at hand and where the right brain falls in love with the beauty or excitement around him is an OK thing with me. Let's hope we all get such opportunities.

Maire

Occasionally this happens to me. I'd suggest trying out something low-pressure, where you don't have to worry about who's going to see it or what it will look like. Start an altered book (seach Google for more information on them), or just finger paint (Abstract, of course!) Or try a new medium or style. Realism may be great, but sometimes it can be very discouraging.

Maybe try telling your parents that you need to have other life experiences to provide fuel for your art. All life experiences have an impact on us. The way you perceive and would draw something today is probably greatly different than the way you would have done it a year ago, because you have grown and had so many experiences in that time that have shaped who you are today.

I know where you're coming form. I have long periods of time where i don't draw either. Getting involved in the art program at my school and taking classes over the summer really keep me inspired. Dancing consumes my life as well, i'm there like 8 hours during the weekdays and like 2 hours over the weekends. I love dance so much, but i wish i had more time to draw. These past couple months have been rough with musical and everything, but now that that's over i'll have more freetime. Don't let your parents get to you, and don't let them make you feel bad. If your drawings aren't coming from your heart, then you'll fall out of love with it. Hope this helps

Is it possible that the part of our brain that does art gets tired? And if so, is there a way to rest it other than taking years out of our participation in art? Hum....how do I rest the right side of my brain? Seriously.

Calvin.....I have this theory that increasing your left brain activities has to rest the right one by relegating it to the background. For instance, run a marathon, take a math course, build a house or teach someone how to do something. Concentrating on concrete problems does seem to have a dampening effect on our dreamy right brain activity, at least it does on mine.

Maire

I agree with Maire, that you have to do something that can also be productive but not using that part of you brain. I hate math but sometimes I feel that it takes me away from art, just so I can bounce right back harder into it, than if I was doing something else. When I learned that I like writing and I am good at it, it made me excited because it gave me a different perspective on all arts. And when I am tired of drawing, I write because I feel writing has a lot to provide that painting can't and Vice versa.

And I am in this art classes that prepares students for art in college. So it is kind of a lot to ask to build your portfolio on demand. I mean I am proud of the work I have done but I feel like its not from my heart. But I guess it doesn't matter if it helps me get into college, where I'll be able to do more from my heart.

I think we can get tired of our "art need". I believe it's just like everything else...if you never run, when you start running you'll go short distances and then get tired, if you always run you can go much farther. I feel like drawing is the same thing. The more you draw the more you feel the need and pleasure of drawing, but sometimes you'll get tired and will need to rest to start it all over again

Of course, we all go through periods like that so you arnt alone. I havent drawn anything now in what seems to be a month.. but thats a good thing because then all of a sudden you will get this urge, and the piece will come out just fantastic. Its easy to burn yourself out of things you like, I personally think its good to take a break and do other things.. that doesnt mean give it up, but take a break and come back to it. Your not alone at all!

it has happened to me before.the longest i've been was a whole year.i wasn't even for sure if i had it in me anymore.but now i know that it will always be with me.but at that time,i just had no inspiration to draw.there is nothing wrong with doing other things.just don't quit period.because you never know,it may be your way out.but at the same time,don't quit your other interests.it too may be your way out.I kinda stoped drawing a little a few months ago until I met someone who is now a friend.She is a really good poet.when I saw her work,I couldn't believe it, there was this mysterious feeling of how can one describe all these emotions in text and keep them on rhythem with one another.And I thought about it the same way for drawing.It must feel the exact same way when someone see my work.So this alone inspired me to draw.

We all go throught periods when we don't feel that we are that much into art at all. Having myself a love/hate relationship with art I can understand you completely. But one thing I know is that getting other experiences (like dance, theater, etc.) can help you to get more inspiration down the road. Art is a way for people to express themseves. The more experience (in any area, not just in art) you have, the more inspiration you can get. Having other experiences can give you a new perspective on your art so I would definetely encourage you to go ahead and LIVE!

But no matter what, many years down the road you might still be facing lack of inspiration. It happens to the best of us!
Good luck