If you have been touched with a bit of artist block, don’t panic – your creative spark hasn't left you cold, alone and staring at the canvas in confusion forever.

Most artists at some time suffer from a sense of sterility. It's that feeling that all your creative juices have dried up and left you feeling a little despondent about your ability to maintain a consistent level of quality work.

If you suffer from artist block regularly, then ask your self this question...

Is your brain working on autopilot?

Sometimes we can get stuck in what I like to refer to systemised moulding. The act of doing something for so long on autopilot that you unconsciously resist new light, inspiration, sounds, colour and movement to play some kind of role in your work and your working environment.

So what's the solution?

Get curious again.

If are not sure what I mean by that, simply take a look at a child and see how he or she approaches the world each day – it is with this genuine curiosity and wonder.

As adults we tend to lose this amazing zest for asking how things work, why they work and how we can contribute to making them work.

So consider opening your eyes to a new way of asking and seeing. Try experimenting with your work a little. You don't need to make complete changes, just subtle ones to help break the barriers, which will allow you to explore and discover new levels of appreciation in your work. 
 

Avoid Artist Block and Create a 
Different Working Environment

Feeling boxed in the corner? Perhaps consider changing your working environment. If you don't have music playing while you work, start working with some music playing in the background.

If you don’t have the music very loud when you work, try turning the volume up a notch. Fill the room with melodic energy. I sometimes have my music up so loud I feel like I am surfing the energy in the room.

If you have a tendency to remain quite still while you work, trying moving around a bit more. Really get your blood pumping. This can help to wake up your senses and feel more alert.

Additionally, if you don't exercise much, start your working day with a half hour walk around your area. This will help you break any sterile thinking, refuel your interest and ignite your body.
 

Use Your Time Differently

Using your time differently can help to accelerate some inspiration and renewed energy into your work. Sometimes just changing your working hours can provide you with a new sense of environment.

If you feel you work too much, perhaps trying to work less. This may sound counter productive, but sometimes less can actually be more. Learn to work more productively in shorter time spans.

Procrastination can unsettle the creative spark and bring on the first signs of artist block. For some people they need a time goal… a time destination. I think the whole painting into the early hours or at least until you have finished your piece is great. It shows a real dedication to your work. 

But it can actually begin to wear you down mentally and physically.

Try to approach your work in tighter working time frames. If you go over time then it doesn't really matter – you have to listen your creative barometer. 

While being an artist is all about creativity, discipline is important in maintaining creative consistency.

I like to treat my working day as a 9 to 5 type of gig.  I have discovered in the past that by working only when I feel inspired and not working when I'm not inspired doesn't suit me. I have to work to a schedule regardless of mood to maintain a consistency in my work.

I also believe you have to nurture your creativity by giving it the respect it deserves. Avoid working yourself into exhaustion... at least not on a regular basis. 

Take some time off and get some fresh air. You will be amazed at how quickly it can actually refuel your energy and enthusiasm.

Quite often your creative spark has gone because there are other factors going on in your life unbeknown to you on a conscious level, that need your attention. 

Health can be one of these factors. So be sure to look after yourself and exercise your body. 
 

No Real Quick Fix To Artist Block

Despite having made changes to your working environment, your working time schedule, read a thousand books or magazines and played every CD you own in order to break the sense of sterility… you should take into consideration that there really is no quick fix solution.

You need to apply your efforts each day and work at finding new ways to break the feeling of sterility. Work at maintaining a combination of ways to keep your creative juices alive, as there is often not a simple "one sure way" solution to this.

A lot of artists like their traditional boundaries – they don't like the idea of straying from their subject matter or mediums. But that doesn’t mean you can't work on ways to help your work evolve. 

There are always news ways of looking at what you do by applying just slight variations.

Perhaps consider studying the work of artists you truly admire and take a deep look at their work. This can often increase your appreciation while helping you to discover new techniques.

Most of all try something different until you start to notice a feeling of renewed energy, passion and genuine sense of fertility in your work and your working environment. Artist block is not permanent, but making a few adjustments will help to keep it at bay.
 

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