Follow by Email  Friday, December 14, 2012  Riding the Artist's
Cycle  Once long ago, when I was once again back in graduate
school and trying to figure out how things worked, I came across
a psychologist's theory about how artists worked. And sorry, I
can't remember his name right now, and probably the details of
his theory have evolved with time. His book was huge and fat, if
that helps. And had a blue cover.  He suggested artists run on a
defined cycle of restlessness/seeking, creative spurts, and
depletion/depression. I remember this after thirty years because
it seemed to me to be spot on. First the restlessness: roaming
around, trying a dozen different things, looking for some
undefined something.  Starting books and tossing them aside.
Standing in front of the open refrigerator. Running around town
on unnecessary errands. Walking anywhere. Cleaning closets. I
now think this is the charging-the-batteries period. I try to
use the extra energy while charging to clean up whatever I've
put off--basements an