Overcome the Creative Block – Advice from an Artist

ArtandDesignInspiration — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 12:18:04 +0000

Frustrating and time consuming, creative blocks are part of the creative process.

Here are a few tips to help:/em>
1. Take Time Out. If you have kids, had kids or are still a kid at heart yourself you know the concept of time-outs. One of my kids was and still is ADD. No matter how many times I’d say ‘quit, stop, settle down…it didn’t work. I had to remove him entirely from the situation in order for him to chill out and refocus.

As adults and especially when stuck in a creative block instead of hanging your head low and falling into a depression trying to think through a creative solution, it’s better to take a time out. Walk away, stop thinking about it. Turn off the mental visuals and refocus on something entirely different. Walking away in and of itself is almost as much as a challenge as breaking through the creative block. However it’s a great way to get out of the visual rut that has you stuck.

2. Check your vitals. Sleep deprived, hungry, no exercise? Taking care of your physical needs can be a fix to get you back on track for productivity. When working through large and tedious projects I’ll skip meals and stay firmly planted in my chair forgetting to take the stretch breaks. This only works for so long. Before long my marathon work sessions turn into creative blocks. Check your vitals, listen to your body and take a break before you crash.

3. Get off your island.  If you’re like most artists or designers, you thrive on alone time and working independently. It’s actually very difficult to create and work on projects with interruptions and chaos. You need your own quite space. However this quite space can get lonely and you can feel isolated especially when your stuck and need some help. One of the good things of working for someone else are the team collaborations and convenience of brainstorming with a coworker in the next cubicle.

As a solo worker you need to make more of an effort to connect for collaborations. Luckily there are countless ways to make connections to others in the creative field. Online forums, social media groups, Meet-ups and more.  A great way to get past the creative block is to build bridges from your island to others.

4. Fill up on inspiration. Just like an athlete needs to be hydrated before a race an artists or designer needs a good source of ‘inspirational nourishment’ before and during projects. Find, gather and hoard the things that inspire you. Bookmark your favorite inspiration websites, have good sources for visuals.

Above all, don’t force it. Creative blocks are an ebb and flow. Lean into it, trust your process, step away when you need to. Don’t fear that you’ll never get your vibe back. You will.

Frustrating and time consuming creative blocks are part of the creative process.
How do you overcome creative blocks? 

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Embracing Loneliness – The Creators Achilles’ Heel

ArtandDesignInspiration — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 02:30:01 +0000

When you create, for the most part you are alone. Lost in your thoughts, ideas and work. It’s a busy world, you’re involved in this make believe or expression of ideas that you create through your vision, talent and craft. You travel alone through this thing called imagination where stories take shape and new worlds and ideas are created.

When you finally do come up for air, your aware of the isolation that is a by-product of the creative process.

The creative process, for the most part is a solo one and if you’re an artist or writer I’m sure you understand this.

You have to have a level of isolation to get lost into your thoughts, vision and fantasy and express this without interruption.

How many creators can actually create in a public setting where there is an invasion of your thoughts and personal space?

I believe the creative process becomes an Achilles’ heel from the perspective of loneliness. The time alone that is needed most to create and produce is also the thing that makes me feel lonely from time to time.

I need quiet; to be alone, to reflect with no interruption. But it’s also lonely.

So what can one do?

First, don’t judge yourself and compare.

Second, The awareness of your limits is important. Don’t let yourself get lost in lonely thinking. Step outside the comfort zone and find others you can relate to.

Third, embrace the feelings. We all get into the place of feeling lonely. Don’t let it define you. As a creator know that you have the power (and everyone does) to create your own reality. What you believe, you become. Keep your work balance in check with your social life.

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What is the creative process

Overcome the Creative Block – Advice from an Artist

Frustrating and time consuming, creative blocks are part of the creative process.

Embracing Loneliness – The Creators Achilles’ Heel