Six Tips for Unblocking Creative Block
“Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.” – Chuck Close
Recently I was at a week-long artist retreat. My one goal was to fill a sketchbook. It was a small sketchbook and my goal was not unreasonable yet it was challenging. I had to fill ten pages a day for seven days. Some days were difficult as I had to dig deep to reach my sketching goal. There were times when I needed to do more. I pushed though the excuses and did the work and ultimately met my goal.Here are some of the things that help me get unstuck.
1. Show up anyway
Schedule a time to be in your studio and stick to it. Turn off your phone and be present. Write, review old work, dream, but show up.
My studio is the best room in my home. Creating a safe and inviting space makes me want to be there creating, even when I am stuck.
2. Play
Make a mess, sketch, photograph, finger paint. Change your routine and create things that make you smile. Don’t make work that is precious, make work that is fun.
Googly eyes on rocks and shells have helped many times to make me smile in a slump. Best when shared!
3. Go to your heroes
Talk to people who inspire you. If you cannot, explore the work they have created.
Poetry, visual art, and time spent considering the work of other creative people opens up a larger perspective to the overall process.
4. Prep your studio
This might be the time to reorganize your space, prep panels, or perform mindless tasks you have been putting off for a rainy day. Rain or not, get busy and make space for the work you will create.
5. Keep an Idea Book
Carry it with you always. Once, I was inspired by a co-worker’s tie.
In my Idea Book I have snippets of conversations, poetry, songs, and movies. This potluck of items have jump-started much of my work.
This is one of many books I keep handy to capture ideas and observations.
6. Not every idea is a winner
And that’s okay. It’s a number’s game. Some ideas will take root while others will have a short life – it is not their time to thrive yet – maybe it never will be – but keep moving!
All great ideas, Kim! Thanks for sharing your tips. I am starting a creative circle with artists and poets/ writers because I have always liked the energy I get from cross-disciplinary creativity.
I love this list. It is so helpful to learn what other artists do to get unstuck. I recently made a list of things to do when I was stuck. Here they are:
Watch an art demo video
Read an art magazine and notice what interests me, including colors, mediums, textures, and images
Catalogue ideas in Big Idea Book
Enter email addresses into mail chimp
Write a blog post about artist block
Make a list of things to do
Meditate
Do yoga
Get inspiration on Pinterest
Take a nap
Eat a snack (chocolate usually)
“Once, I was inspired by a co-worker’s tie.”
I love that line. Just goes to show you never know where your next spark will come from!
I’m probably reading this 4 years later!..no matter..timeless. Thanks Kim. I think STEP 1, showing up is so true! Just get yourself in the studio, humbly, and be present. The book BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert influenced me a lot in this area (addressing creativity and blocks,etc)..with lots of humor. Highly recommend!