I have done that countless times, and as a veteran of this “are we there yet” thinking, I can say that it can lead to a motivation crash mid-project. Proof of this is my collection of half finished projects neatly packed away in boxes, waiting to be finished. If ever I needed a mantra to get me through it would be at the midway point of projects. Recently I was reminded of a lesson about the creative process that I learned as a child.

When I was but a wee lass I spent a great deal of time watching The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross on PBS. I was fascinated by Bob’s process. He would begin with a blank canvas and put on layer after layer of oil paints with fun sounding names.

Suddenly this beautiful scene would have two great big black lines in the forefront and I'd say to the TV screen, “You've gone and ruined it!” Bob would magically answer back in his calming voice, “Trust the process.” I would sit on the edge of my seat waiting to see how he'd paint himself out of the corner he'd just painted himself in to.

Then with the flourish of his brush, some sound effects, and the patience of Bob Ross, he would turn those big black lines into amazing trees. I'd sink back in my seat with a sigh and say, “You've done it again, Bob. It's a masterpiece.” With each painting he was teaching me to trust the process. Somewhere as I grew up I forgot that.

Having an end goal is the first step, but don't get in so much of a hurry that you forget the steps to get there. When you step back and look at your work in its half finished state, don't compare it to the end goal. That can be a motivation killer. Keep going, step by step, and trust the process.

We'll be watching a video by Studson Studio who takes inexpensive materials and makes incredible models and dioramas. In many cases he begins a project with actual garbage he's picked off the ground or pulled out of the trash and turns it into art. The video is called Spirited Away Bath House! DIY made for CHEAP // Studio Ghibli Crafts. In it he recreates a building from one of my favorite movies and he does it with a flourish of humor.

Just like when I was a kid watching Bob Ross, I have become fascinated with watching Studson Studio create scale models. It has inspired me to open my box of half-finished projects and keep going, and I hope it inspires you too.

Your CREATIVE MISSION, if you choose to accept, is to write or sketch a short piece that is inspired by this image:

Don’t get lost in thinking about the end product. Trust the process and go step by step to get there. Approach it like a child approaches play. No one has to see it. Create with freedom. I believe in you adventurer!

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions you can reach me at victoria@make-believepress.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Stay safe, Adventurer!

-Victoria

P.S. Photo Credits: The photo of the person walking up steps is by Martino Pietropoli . The paintbrushes photo was by laura adai. The photo of the steps surrounded by nature is by K. Mitch Hodge. All three were found on Unsplash. The YouTube screen shot of Studson Studio’s video was taken by me. The ‘Word of the Month’ image was made by me.

If you haven't done so already, you can get a look at “The World Is Full Of A**holes” by going to the secret page “Cellar Door” on Make-Believe Press' website and using the password “Magicword” to gain access