Lately, I’ve been struggling with feeling uninspired and unmotivated to create. So this past week, my friend John and I went on another artist date. This time we did a bit of sketching at Fort Tryon Park.
We initially intended to visit the gardens and just sketch some flowers. Yet, we ended up exploring and discovering some new places in the park that we didn’t even know existed. Like Billings Arcade, the driveway and arched entrance of a mansion built in 1907 that was once located in an estate where the park is today. It was so amazing to see this giant archway hidden amongst the tall trees, tucked away from the busy highway that runs next to it. It seemed out of place where it stood, but at the same time like in belonged. As we sat by it sketching, it had me longing for a much quieter existence. An existence in a time so far removed from the New York City we know today.
I’ve been having trouble lately keeping myself inspired to do almost anything creative. The ideas are of plenty, but for some reason I haven’t been very motivated to act upon those ideas. And when I do, nothing ever seems to turn out the way I pictured it in my head. It’s been frustrating to say the least. I figured taking myself out on another artist date might help, and even though it was a lovely day, it just didn’t quite cut it for me.
But it did put a few things into perspective. The most essential bit is that I must make it a priority to get out more. And not just get out as in go outside, but get away from the city from time to time and go on small day trips to other places surrounding it that I’ve just never been to before. Really get out of my element and explore new places and things.
I’ve already made a list and have a few ideas. My friend John has even agreed to join me, as he too has been feeling the need to get out of the city and explore. I’m hoping to document these small journeys as artist date travel vlogs. I do hope you enjoy. In the meantime, check out my artist date video doing some sketching at Fort Tryon Park.