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Steven Palmer
Finding Mojo
DECEMBER 18, 2022
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Why do you make art? If nobody buys it, is it still good? Is the joy of creating the work diminished if nobody sees it? Is the process of creating art enough to keep going?
I know I'm not alone in saying I love some of the work I create. I also know many artists struggle to acknowledge the quality of thier work but that's not me. And while I know what I think is good I struggle with appreciating and recognizing the value of the work beyond the self satisfaction in doing it. For me "value" is expressed by the willingness of someone to buy my work and hang it on thier wall. Many might say social media response, "engagement" is also a measure of "value". OK. I get that IF it translates into a monetary exchange in some form or fashion. And to be fair there are plenty of people for whom "likes" are enough and no exchange of funds need happen. I am sometimes in that camp but I really do want to create work people find good enough to hang on a wall. I think I need that kind of positive feedback to feel like my efforts are worth continuing. Is my "mojo" a function of the joy of making the images and creating or does it stem from external feedback?

This year has been pretty good in terms of selling work particularly in light of the past 24 months of the pandemic freeze when folks were just trying to survive and stay healthy. Now we're getting back to some sort of normal I exhibited work in 2 shows this year. In both cases I sold art, the feedback was great and interacting with potential clients was really rewarding. I didn't sell as much as in previous years but not bad. I also sold work to some folks along the way who saw pieces on Facebook or Instagram. I am so happy when I can connect with people and my work connects for them. It is really an incredible feeling. I am truly thankful for it...truly.

Just now I seem to have lost my mojo and can't quite get it together to go out and shoot. I continue to edit previous work and create new pieces mostly as digital paintings. Creating new work sounds like a good idea still I haven't done it. Where is the mojo? I know it's a mindset...I just seemed to have misplaced it. Is this the equivalent of writers block? It isn't a lack of ideas. I have plenty of those but inertia keeps me focused on other less interesting day to day tasks. So where is mojo?

I suppose Mojo is mostly an internal thing. It has to come from within. I still haven't found it again but I continue the search...and I know it will happen...just haven't had this particular obstacle in almost 10 years...so stay tuned...I will let you know where, when and how I find it again. Have you ever lost your mojo? How did you find it? Would love to hear what others have to say.

May your mojo be with you!
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