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In the days of tall ships, sailors roamed the world, amazingly surviving for years on one hundred foot (or smaller!) wooden vessels, in close quarters.  They explored the unknown world, exploited resources, conquered empires, and waged war.  It took great will to captain these vessels, to navigate often unknown waters, accomplish their missions, and to simply survive.  One challenge that often raised its head was when a ship was becalmed.  Losing the steady circulation of winds that provided power of movement could result in death.  Patience and knowledge was required.  Tactical positioning to reach faint currents might require sailors to row to more active areas.  But they couldn't control when the wind would blow.  They often had to go with the flow and wait.

As artists, we can find ourselves becalmed in our artistic journey.  Maybe we've experienced an upheaval, a bump in the road.  Maybe we've lost a job, or significant other, and we can't see past it.  Maybe we can't see inspiration in anything...anything!  Our best gallery could have closed, sales could have stalled, and one doesn't know what to do next.  What do you do?

Sometimes, you do nothing.  You wait it out.  You restore your strength, clean up the studio, and take afternoon naps.  You let your creative mind rest.  It doesn't mean you don't think of art -- I cannot begin to do that myself -- but you think of it differently.  Maybe you get out and ROW.  You look at what other artists are doing, or take a workshop.  Put aside your ego and actually LOOK at work from all over, without judgment or opinion.  Reflect in the colors that make you smile, and touch textures that you find pleasing.  Read a favorite novel.. again.  

As the time passes, you find stirrings of creative currents are again growing in your heart.  Not all at once.  But they grow and develop and soon you feel like following them.  Maybe they lead you on to new ways of sharing your vision.  Maybe they confirm you were going in the right direction and need to keep your bearings.  But eventually, the trade winds of creation blow, and fill your sails.  Your artist's heart begins to hum, and before long, it sings.

Catch the wind. Set sail.