Canadian-American mystery writer Charlotte MacLeod coined something she called, ātreading-water syndromeā. This was, āpanic at being out of oneās depth. Fear that, if a case did not quickly yield up its secrets, it would remain forever impenetrable.ā The character who said that was a middle-age college professor. By putting those words in his experienced mouth, MacLeod was saying that it happens to us all.
Thatās just what happened to me at my first professional plein air event. I was slopping solvent around my underpainting, which made everything dark and muddy. Then I tried to use white to lighten that layer. In fact, I was pretty much breaking every painting rule Iād ever learned. Eventually, a friend came over and brought me up sharp: āCarol, stop this. You know how to paint.ā I took a deep breath, wiped out the canvas, and painted the painting properly.
My friend Brad Marshall called what I was doing āflailing around.ā Itās a good description of one way in which we temporarily take leave of our senses. But itās not the only way. Thereās also:
- Creative block: you suddenly have no ideas at all, or if something occurs to you, it doesnāt seem worth pursuing;
- Obsessing over details: Iāve wrecked some perfectly wonderful paintings doing this;
- Avoidance or procrastination;
- Negative self-talk;
- Imposter syndrome: āWhy did they let me in when thereās so many great painters here?ā Bobbi Heath can attest to how many times sheās had to talk me off this cliff;
- Emotional and physical distress: in moments of stress, Iāve learned to look and sound calm, but my gut always betrays me;
- Seeking external validation: Thatās not necessarily a bad thing, but it requires that thereās someone around whoās kind-hearted and intelligent enough to give you the right nudge.
First principles
I just heard a story about a very competent musician who couldnāt make it in music. His highs were too high; his lows too low. He essentially never found a way to manage his panic.
One way to get over treading-water syndrome is to get older; youāre less inclined to panic in general. Thatās not much comfort to younger people. And there are still times when everyone feels like theyāve lost control. How, then, do you get your ship righted with the least amount of psychic pain?
It helps me to have a plan. I approach painting the same way each time, and if Iām feeling jittery, I slow down on the value drawing until my mind submits. I teach every workshop from a syllabus. Thatās primarily so I know Iāll cover the important stuff. However, when something unexpected happens, I can take a deep breath, return to my notes and keep going.
A plan is just an external support to our cognitive flexibility and self-monitoring. You canāt beat it.
Eensy weensy bites
As you can imagine, thereās rather a backlog here after Iāve been gone so long. Iām pretty disciplined about studio work before housework, but some of these domestic tasks havenāt been done since October. If I try to tackle everything at once, Iām just going back to bed until after the holidays. Instead, Iām going to ignore the big picture and tackle one small thing at a time. Itās my best strategy to avoid total paralysis.
Reserve your spot now for a workshop in 2025:
- Canyon Color for the Painter, Sedona, AZ, March 10-14, 2025
- Advanced Plein Air Painting, Rockport, ME, July 7-11, 2025.
- Sea and Sky at Acadia National Park, August 3-8, 2025.
- Find Your Authentic Voice in Plein Air, Berkshires, MA, August 11-15, 2025.
- Immersive In-Person Fall Workshop, Rockport, ME, October 6-10, 2025.