Dealing With Creative Block

Dealing With Creative Block

How to Get Past a Slump in Artistic Creativity 

Most artists know the feeling of staring at a blank surface, whether it’s canvas, paper or something else, and having a complete lack of inspiration. It can be frustrating and depressing, especially for working artists who depend on selling their work to bring in income.

 

Simple Suggestins to Jump-start Creativity

  • Give yourself a creative break. Even artists who thrive on creating new work can sometimes get a little burned out. This feeling has a negative impact on creativity, taking the joy and fun right out of making new art. Artists need breaks to refuel; if there are worries about loss of income, try spending a week or so focusing on items that can be produced without much thought. Have some prints made or spend that time working on your online presence. It’s not necessary to ignore your business completely, but it may be helpful to take a temporary vacation from creating new pieces of art.
  • Take a week or even just one day to focus on things that might be hindering creativity. Are there household jobs that need to be taken care of? Does the studio space need to be organized? Sometimes just getting chores and other items on a to-do list checked off results in a feeling of accomplishment and relief, leading to more creativity in the long run.
Dealing With Creative Block
  • Spend some time looking at art that is personally inspiring, whether it’s at the local art museum, online, or in print. The goal is not to find some art to copy, but to see something that might revive some excitement and a renewed interest in making art. Take a trip to the book store and invest in an art magazine or two.
  • Consider learning a new art or craft skill. Community colleges, art supply stores and even some websites offer a large variety of classes, many of them very reasonably priced. Alternatively, check art books and magazines for detailed instructions on techniques. Learning something new is a great confidence booster and it’s always a good time for that.
  • Try something completely different. Artists who usually work in large scale can try doing the opposite. Buy a tiny canvas or two from the local art supply store and make some miniature paintings or collages to give as gifts. If small pieces are your norm, challenge yourself to tackle a larger canvas or sculpture. Once the large piece is complete, the sense of accomplishment may provide motivation to do even more.
  • Finally, it can help a great deal to talk with other artists who have been through the same thing. Experienced artists will be able to offer valuable insight on how to cope with creative block and get back into the swing of things, artistically speaking.

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