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10 Simple Steps in Overcoming Creative Block
It happens…..and it can be frustrating, especially if we try to force ourselves to start and/or finish a project when we just aren’t inspired. Follow these steps and surely you will break free from the shackles that are holding your creativity hostage.
1. Switch Gears
Write a blog post, update your social media profiles, write letters of gratitude to people who have inspired, encouraged or helped you in your life/career, attack that stack of papers you’ve been needing to file, etc. Get your mind off "being creative" for the afternoon by doing something constructive and the feeling of accomplishment will keep you from getting down.
2. Engage in Another Creative Medium
Take a break from watercolor and switch to acrylic, pastel, or do some collage work. Maybe you like to write. Take some time to write an article, poem or guest blog.
Do you like needle crafts? working with clay? making jewelry?
Many times when we are still using our creativity but doing something that is not related to the project that has us stumped can satisfy our spirit and keep our creative juices flowing.
3. Commitment
Commit to spending at least 30 minutes a day working on the project that you are struggling with. After 30 minutes, if the ideas and inspiration are still being "forced", walk away. Usually after a few days of doing this, the "solution" or inspiration for the project will surface.
4. Meditate
Sometimes we just need some down time…..some quiet time. Find a place outdoors (weather permitting, of course) to sit alone quietly. No phones, no ipods, no kindle…..just you (and your sketchbook). Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths, clear your mind and steady your thoughts. Do this for 15-20 minutes minimum.
"Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God." – Diane Robinson
5. Brainstorm
Take out your sketchbook and doodle; and not necessarily with your pending project in mind. Let your mind run wild and sketch, draw or write whatever comes to mind……some of my best ideas are born when I just let go and sketch random ideas and thoughts.
6. Do Some Spring Cleaning
Often times we are so caught up in meeting deadlines, finishing projects and preparing for shows that our work space can get out of control. Take a day and do nothing but clean and organize your studio or work space. Move things around, file papers, file or toss completed projects, improve your lighting, put up shelves for storage, hang some recent work on the walls, etc.
Clearing the clutter around you can also clear the clutter in your mind making room for those new ideas.
7. Get Your Blood Flowing
Take a long walk at the park, walk the dogs in the fields/woods on your property, put in a dvd of your favorite workout, gather some friends for a game of basketball, volleyball, etc., go on a bike ride, go for a swim. What ever motivates you to get your heart rate up and get your blood pumping, just do it! Get the oxygen flowing to your brain and say bye-bye to those mental blocks.
8. Get Inspired
Visit your local art gallery, surf the internet looking at art, go to the library or book store to look at magazines and how-to-books about art, get on pinterest and search art or illustration.
I am by no means telling you to copy another artist’s work but I have always loved looking at other artist’s creativity and often times get inspired by a new idea. It is imperative that you be true…be yourself….be original.
9. Enroll in a Class
Take an art class to learn a new medium at your local art institute or community center. Take a photography class, a writing class or learn a new craft.
These outlets are still feeding your creative soul and may be just what you need to overcome what is blocking your creativity.
10. Always have Your Sketchbook Nearby
One never knows when that spark of creativity will hit…….be prepared.
Sometimes a thought or image will pop in my mind; I sketch the idea to it’s fullest. It may be months before I use that idea or maybe I never will, but I can refer back to it at a moment’s notice and that is powerful and valuable.
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The painting at the top of this post was one of those "flashes of inspiration". Old Friend "popped" in my mind, I sketched it, I loved the sketch so much I immediately painted it using watercolor. It seemed to flow off the tip of my brush like magic and the painting was completed in an hour or so. Old Friend went on to be one of my best selling paintings in my entire career.
Paintings that flow freely and are created from inspiration from start to finish I find are the most successful paintings in my portfolio. I believe people can sense this when viewing an artist’s work. I wish all paintings came so easily but that is definitely not the case. I also believe paintings that are forced aren’t as successful…again, it shows in the work.
Don‘t be afraid to step away from your work and try something else for a couple of hours, a couple of days or more until the creative block has diminished. More importantly don’t let creative block consume your thoughts, cause you to worry and send you into a downward spiral. It happens to everyone at one time or another. We just have to learn techniques to overcome and conquer creative block.
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How often do you experience creative block? Do you have another idea of how to overcome it that works for you? Please share it with us in the comments below or just drop me a line and let me know if this article was helpful to you. Thank you for your input.
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