Being in the "zone" and painting

Sometimes I feel like I'm in the "zone" and everything feels automatic, almost like I don’t have to do any thinking. The paint just flows exactly in the manner I wish it to and I feel like I could paint anything. Unfortunately, some days it seems like there’s a giant fence surrounding the zone and I'm having trouble getting over the fence, no matter how hard I try everything is an uphill battle.

It seems like what helps me be in the "zone" includes:

• having a clear passion for the subject I am painting
• having those first brush strokes flow with the exact colour I'm looking for
• having no distractions (including gardening - which is difficult in the summer)

I'm almost completed the painting I shared last week.  Here it is. There is probably an hour or two remaining for it to be completed.

The garden is gorgeous this year and I'm spending a lot of time outdoors. Therefore, I'm not painting as much as I do the rest of the year.

Have a great week,

Danielle