Trying to Get Into the Artists Frame of Mind

Work has been a bit of a bear lately, and not in a good way. I've been trying to work out regularly and spending many evenings trying to get back into a creative mindset. Forcing creativity doesn't really work, in case you've never tried it. It reminds me of when folks ask for a cartoon, but gives me no details of what they want. It sounds like freedom, but the worry about what they want stifles your brain.

I've been working on Issue 26 of my comic, but the story has been very slowly coming along. I think the plot is a decent one, but the details leave me lingering if it could be better. Along with working on Christmas card designs, I also have a co-worker retiring on Dec 14, so I need to spend a bit of time this weekend working on her retirement gift, which is a cartoon of her. At this point, I have no idea what to draw for her.

The weather could be one of the issues. I love running outside with my headphones on as it allows my mind to roam and ideas sometimes comes to me that way. It's been cold and rainy of late, so I've not been running outside much. Running at the gym isn't the same as there's often eye-candy there to distract me (not that I'm complaining about THAT).

I'm hoping for a bit of a "Eureka" moment this weekend.