Artist Block
Are You Running on Empty and Lacking Inspiration?
© by Carl
(CAKUart); all rights reserved
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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