Yes! I am an artist at heart, I’m always creating something. Not visual arts mind you, but same deal here. I felt the same as you after getting sober.
And this is exactly what was happening. Your body takes time getting used to the new normal, and everything is a little out of whack for a while. Your brain especially needs time, and it can take months to get up to 100%. Creative expression is also low priority in the brain, because survival as well as meeting social and emotional needs tends to need addressing before we can be at our best creatively. So a big part of this is patience.
We also tend to have great expectations getting sober. It’s in many cases justified because sober we indeed become capable of much more than before. But sometimes what we expect just comes slowly or delayed, and that can be frustrating. Right there is where it starts for me — if I’m frustrated, I throw myself ever harder at my art with even worse results, and start a spiral. It’s enough to make me feel like I can never create anything worthwhile again. But when I take a break, voluntary or forced, and come back to it without pressure, the creativity starts to flow again.
You might consider trying a new twist, technique, form, or genre of art (optional). Don’t try to do it perfectly or even well, just let the newness and challenge spark brain activity, and let go of getting something you like out of it. Enjoy the process, or the relearning of the process. The newness may also help keep you from comparing yourself to things you’ve done in the past, and setting those expectations again.
If you don’t want to paint, don’t paint. If you want to paint but don’t feel like it, first pay attention to your needs. If your body or mind need something like fuel or rest, do that. If they are taken care of, and deep down what you want is to paint, then push through not feeling like it and paint, but leave expectations at the door. If you want to paint and feel like it, go, fly, play in it to your heart’s content.
You should not be a slave to your art, and your art should not be a slave to you. A healthy relationship with art will promote a healthy you and healthy art.
If I were you, in my first month sober, I’d be so eager to get it “working” again, so I can imagine how this must be disappointing or frustrating for you. You’ll get through it, though. It’s character building too, and I’ve had dry spells provide emotions that inspire works I create later.
I also want to tag @MandiH in here. Wonderful sober artist. I don’t know if she pops in much these days, but if she does and has time she might have some thoughts.
Also if you ever want to share some of your art with us, we’d love to see it in this thread! --> Show the artist within you
I’m dabbling in watercolors for the first time and keep a small sketchbook. The change in medium and size has been exercising my brain. All these small doodles may lay the foundation for bigger walls later on.