5 SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOMING A 'CREATIVE BLOCK'
Let’s not deny it or beat around the bush any longer, it need not be a taboo. It happens to even the most prolific and successful artists and yes, it has even happened to me – the dreaded “creative block”.
A creative block is nothing to be ashamed of. At some point in every artist’s career, they will experience a creative plateau where the ideas just aren’t flowing and any attempts at art are defiantly hurled into the bin. But when you have made the transition from being an “emerging artist seeking gallery representation” to the “full-time professional artist”, you are relying on your creativity to make a living. Experiencing a creative block can thus be traumatic as well as detrimental to your career. So when you find yourself in that situation, how do you cure a creative block?
Surprisingly, there’s not a lot of information out there when it comes to dealing with creative block. So I’ve decided to write my own guide, with my 5 key ways to overcome a creative block. And these are ways that I have tried, tested and proven to actually work:
The first step to curing a creative block is to REMOVE ALL DEADLINES. Why? Deadlines place pressure on your time and your creativity, forcing you to fret over the end piece without allowing you to enjoy your creative options and the explorative process along the way.
When your art becomes your career, your creative output is labeled with a monetary value. It is then easy to lose sight of the reason why you initially made art, which generally is because you enjoyed it! So re-ignite your excitement for art. Strap on your sandals and visit some galleries. Great art will motivate you to strive for creative greatness. So too will terrible art, which will fuel your creativity because you know you can create artworks that are so much more gallery-wall-worthy!
I often find that my best work is done on old scraps of paper. Why? There is something so liberating and unrestrained about creating an artwork without the need for it to be a finished piece. You can create art for art’s sake, regardless of the outcome (although it generally always ends up good!). As another artist once wisely said, when you take your drafts less seriously, it feels like a safe place in which the inner critic isn’t invited. So grab your toilet rolls, scrap paper, shopping receipts or napkins and start sketching!
As Tchaikovsky once said, “A self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood.” Sometimes, the best part of art-making is during exploration and experimentation. So choose a subject that you are already comfortable drawing and try different ways of representing or depicting that subject. Use different mediums, styles and colours.
Criticism to an artist is like kryptonite to Superman. It depletes our strength and our confidence. And once the dark cloud of insecurity rests overhead, it is so difficult to create anything beyond mediocre. So please remember that making art to be sold and making art for personal fulfillment are two separate ideas. While it is oh-so-easy to incorrectly equate artistic success with self-worth, remind yourself that as an artist, it is okay to be selfish and create art for your own satisfaction. If people like and buy your art in the meantime, it is a bonus.
By Anne Smerdon xx
PS: These are my own words, my own thoughts and my own research. Give credit where it is due and link back to this as the original source if you share or repost the information - www.annesmerdon.com Thanks!