Why am I feeling blue in the studio after a successful gallery exhibition? I am grateful for my successes, but I still feel letdown, grumpy and just plain, blah! I can’t seem to drag myself back into the studio to paint. I don’t want to face those blank canvases!
Maybe it is that typical, self induced artistic temperment we all suffer or indulge in from occasionally.  So what’s going on with me?
The truth is I have been suffering from the Post Exhibition Blues – a common and curable phenomenon among us artists.
Artists are born to create. Months or even years of hard work, sacrifice, isolation, discipline, time money and expectations come to a grinding halt when our gallery exhibition is over.
No more hype, no more glamour and glory, no more fans or even worries about what to wear to the gallery reception – it’s all over.
Here are a few tips to help you when feeling blue:
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Count blessings – yes this is a good reality check and it works!
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Take some time off and spend it with family.
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Reconnect with friends.
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Read a good book.
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Take a trip – even any easy road-trip.
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Talk to your gallery director and get some feedback.
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Try another creative outlet – I knitted a scarf.
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Update your website.
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Blog.
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You can add your own ideas to this list.
In my opinion, the bottom line is this:
Artists put a lot of pressure on themselves. Artists are self-starters and self-motivators. We are used to pulling all-nighters, skipping meals and cramming before a big show. We oftentimes run on adrenaline, caffeine and good music. Many artists are under appreciated, under payed and misunderstood. A much anticipated gallery reception or exhibition is the main way we show the world who and what we really do while we are in our studios. So it’s no wonder we have the blues when it’s all over.
You might enjoy reading: Use the Hidden Meaning of Color in Your Art or Overwhelmed in the Studio? Check Your Work Habits
Great post Lori. Whenever I feel blue-or stuck, I go out and spend time with the horses. It works every time!
Great post. I always go through “post partum depression” when I finish a novel, even if it’s just the first draft getting out of my system. We spend so much time in solitude nurturing, creating, surrounding our imaginations with these characters or canvases or paints or whatever. When it’s over, it’s natural to feel a bit blue.
My way to synch out of it is to find a story in another form. I write novels, so I’ll go see films, look at paintings, take photographs. Something artistic but not related to writing. That helps me refill the well 🙂
Elaine
Thanks for sharing you thoughts, Elaine. Those are some great ideas to help other artists pull themselves out of a slump! Lori 🙂
Lori, Thanks for being so open. I’m delighted that you drew trade in this economy. Everything is changing and yes, we artists are highly sensitive.
Your ideas for changing pace after a big push are great. Onward! Regards.
yes lori, artists are not machines that mass produce
glad you sold your paintings
I’m glad wrote this artical now I know this is nomal
Nick, I am glad this article reminded you that you are not alone! We all struggle with self depreciating thoughts from time to time. Keep working through them and they will fade away.
Cheers-
Lori
Great article Lori … This is so true. Artists are very often alone in their little own studio and it’s easy to fall into a negative trap or feeling blue.
Cheers !
Matt
Thank you for this article 🙂 I am not represented by a gallery just yet, so I tend to forget to keep booking new work after my first big showing. I get into the groove of the making and then have a show, but then once that comes down, anything left comes back to the studio, which could get depressing. So my hope is to arrange far ahead a few shows with enough time in between to fill the gaps, so not to get stuck.
Happy New Year!
Especially when having a big show you will feel down. I always get like that after a big session. I find having other hobbies help but time is the best helper for me.
Thanks for adding your thoughts. Other hobbies are a good idea!