Ambi's Sketchbook

[John]

I've just been in a bit of an art depression between stagnating heavily last year despite drawing more than I ever have before

Maybe you're looking at your progress too close, with you being so caught up with the elbow work you put in. If you step back a little bit and flip through your past works, you might see things differently.

From an outsider's perspective, I see you doing more bolder figures, and your poses in your studies are starting to get more dynamic. That's a hard leap to pull off and your latest studies make it seem you're taking it in stride.

That feeling of stagnation you are, or were feeling at that time is the shokunin's (artisan or craftsman) curse. You would not calling it stagnation if it wasn't for your yearning to get better. Some lose that drive and rest on their laurels; being 'okay' with what they have. And being just 'okay' is a scary proposition for any artist. Growth, especially when you're in the process of growing, is hardly ever comfortable.

You're doing alright Ambi. Don't give in.

Not really knowing what I want to do with my art anymore

Not sure what you mean by this, but it does sound depressing. You mean you're running out of portfolio ideas?