How do people deal with an art block?
It's been a long time since I've had an art block this stubborn, and I am struggling to break it. What do people like to do when they are feeling stuck creatively?
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- @Tamryn Kerr Talking is a great one for me - helps to process so many things! Especially when you are working freelance at home - you get very isolated and forget you can talk things through with others. Thank you for your advice Tamryn!
- @Brinda Wachs *Julia Cameron
- Hi Kathryn and other creatives,I found the most effective for me was The Artist’s Way (TAW) by Julia Caneton. After organizing an online group in 2021, I began leading groups myself. Through TAW (I’m now on my fourth group), I launched an Artist’s collective in France, began writing short stories, getting serious about abstract painting and collage, built an art studio in my house and held my first exhibit last month. My next group begins 6 Jan 2023 on zoom. Good luck accessing your innate creativity! Brinda
- I agree with everyone here, and I've done this things too and they help. My Art block comes from fear of messing up, so sometimes, in my case, what helps me is just do. Just draw draw draw and don't think much about it. That's what has helped me lately, but everyone is different and we are all at different stages :) Good luck!
- Hi Kathryn, I suffer from procrastination problems when I'm doing personal art projects. The way that I get through that is to set myself timelines and deadlines. They're not rigid but they do give me goals to aim for. Then, I like to go out and be inspired by galleries, people watching, whatever is relevant to the project. The other thing that I do is talk about the project/work with people. It sounds odd but talking about it makes it feel real and more tangible so I'm more likely to actually do whatever it is I'm talking about. Also, some people have some useful builds or thoughts on the project too which can be helpful. Hope that all helps! Tamryn
- Slightly different, but when solving a comms challenge, it tends to start with asking ‘what problem are we trying to solve?’Gather as much relevant information as you can.Allow time to process, then drop it.Distract yourself with something else.Take a walk around the creative block.The answer will often present itself.Sometimes it’s a big idea, sometimes it’s a small spark.
- @Helena Carrizosa Hi Helena,Thank you so much for such a thoughtful response! Phrasing is a really interesting way of looking at this which I hadn't thought of before.Following the curiosity is something which is easy to lose touch with, and definately something I want to reconnect to.Absolutely agree with number three. When art becomes your job the pressure to be forever perfectly consistent is very tiring and somewhat unrealistic. I really appreciate this perspective of reframing things!Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful advice
- @Xavier Segers Hi Xavier - this is such a clear and helpful way to put it, thank you! I think it is part of accepting the full time reality of being an artist. Recharging sounds perfect!
- @Kathryn Brammall You're welcome!
- @Sandrine Bascouert That's a great idea - thank you for your help!
- Hi @Kathryn Brammall I can suggest 3 things: 1 is what is really happening, one more practical and the other one is more abount going within.1. I know we use a lot the term "art block" but in actual fact, nothing is blocking you, if you think about it, there is no such thing as an actual block. and the more you tell this to yourself the more your mind will believe this is real and will keep you feeling so. words are like "spells" ....So, I would suggest you start changing the phrase to something like: "inspiration and creativity are within me in abundance, I'll be patient for the next inspiration to come"2. Next, remember what used to inspired you, and revisit this places, ideas, videos, artists, whatever that is for you. The most important thing is to follow your "curiosity" again which is directly connected to your intuition, which helps you get into flow states and there you'll feel inspired again...and let yourself go with the flow without thinking about the outcome, or the how, what, when ...JUST BRING YOURSELF BACK TO HAVING FUN!2. Going deeper within, I mean, most likely there is a fear creating this situation, a negative believe around your work, or a "should ". Shoulds are your worst enemies, they create fear and self-doubt. Or you are thinking too much on "is what I am creating right or wrong" All of the above in whatever way they are affecting you, might be creating self-doubts and this in time creates the perception of an "art-block".Hope this helps and you come back feeling creative and inspired. Come back to fun and embrace uncertainty.
- The one thing I felt that was really counterproductive in these situations is trying to force yourself to be creative. For me that would lead to more frustrations and just prolongs the "art block". What helps me now in to just drop everything for a while, recharge myself by doing totally different things. Visiting exhibitions, talking to friends, going for long walks and the spark would come back to me. Obviously this isn't an ideal solution when you have a looming deadline! :D Good luck getting out of your block!
- @Kathryn Brammall I find that generally, I can't have ideas on demand :)One other thing I do sometimes is simply revisiting past projects, and try to either alter things like style, or medium, or simply refine them. It sometimes gives me ideas for something else. Starting from scratch is never going to work (for me)!
- @Sandrine Bascouert Hi Sandrine,That is a wonderful suggestion! I shall deep dive into all of my old mind maps and brain dumps.Motivation and time is such a big factor, but once the idea is there its so much easier.
- Hi Kathryn,I can only share what works for me, but I keep a log of idea "for the future" I have tons, they can be proper lists, or simply moodboards. When I have an idea out of the blue, I try to make a double page of doodles in my sketchbook, and I'll leave it there. When I have an art block, I dive-deep there, in the lists and the moodboards. Most times, I can overcome the block by mixing those different elements that sit in what I call my "idea bank", meaning that deep down, I know the blocks will happen, and I must prepare for it.That doesn't resolve the problem of motivation, which is the biggest hurdle for me, but at least, once I am ready, I can crack on straight away.
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