The days are going by, dripping like a leaky faucet really(very annoying), and the Art Fair season approaches.
I, Creative One, am suppose to be making time with my Muse(in other words, restocking my inventory for the coming frantic frenzy of sequential weekends selling my creations.)
Suddenly, sittting at my bench is an onerous task. I would much rather scrub the kitchen floor. Reupholster my niece's couch. Grout my son's new bathroom. Count toothpicks in my solder kit. Have lunch with my other son's high school girlfriend and her mother. What gives?
You guessed it........ Creative Block. I've got it bad.
It's winter in the Midwest. I do have Cabin Fever but I can't complain because we haven't been devastated by a tsunami or Civil War. You understand, relatively speaking, I'm alive and well.
So, help me please?
What brings this dread dis-ease on and how do I get rid of it?
Thanks,
Linda
Comments
I don't get creative blocks anymore. I try to work on pieces in a series. My series' have themes and the themes directly relate to my artist statement on my website. When I am not painting, conducting workshops or marketing myself, I am thinking of ideas. Actually, I even think of new projects when I am doing these things. I usually have a camera on me in case I see something that inspires me. I give myself hard deadlines to complete series' even when I have no show. If I have no show and want one, I will have a private one at my studio or where ever someone will let me. It gives me an excuse for the hard deadlines. Your ideas can also come from literature, TV, personal relationships and conversation, world events, nature, anything that can inspire you. There is certainly enough in the world to give you inspiration. I spend so much time thinking of new stuff my brain is busting full of ideas. I have my next 2 series waiting to start and I still have ideas on completing a past series.
Good luck and paint a lot!
I'm glad I am not alone! This time of year is hard for me. Yes... I too should be cranking up inventory for summer shows but it seems like "work" to get motivated! Most of us are probably most productive when we are really busy, working with tight deadlines, and work around the clock to get that "last piece done" before a show. I have my ups and downs where I work around the clock and then burn myself out. I find that if I just sit down and start working it helps. I sometimes think that it would be easier and less distracting if I had a studio outside of my home, but then I think if I had a studio outside the home I would want it inside again!
For me it sometimes helps to work in another medium, take a class, etc. to get the creative juices going. It's probably because I am working with other creative individuals and we feed off each others energy. I luckily work at a boutique part time that also carries my jewelry line and that helps a lot! I need the social contact to energize me (my dog and I can only have so many conversations).
So only a couple more months before the busy season and going from show to show and seeing all my artist friends again! Hope everyone finds there "key" to productivity and is soon flowing with lots of creative energy and new work!
I was so stunned by the outtakes they let me read on the "War of Art", I immediately bought the book online. When he was writing about 'Resistance', I could feel "it" standing next to my chair!! Eerie. Thanks Doug. BTW your work is sensational.
Sandhi, what a fresh blast of windy ideas! I've never used another sense( sight or sound ) to inspire a creation. But NOW I can understand how it would work. There is a wealth of sttimuli waiting, isn't there? I just haven't known how to find it. My sincere thanks!
Annette, new beads does do it every time!....but I have to realize I already have thousands of them that I may not have really given another look at in ages. My eyes run over them but I don't see them as fresh and new. Maybe I have too many and am overwhelmed? They sit out there day after day causing me more stress because I'm buying NEW BEADS as stimulation.....rather than being kicked to create from within.
I may have seasonal disorder. But I take loads of vitamin D-3 to help alleviate the effects of being cooped indoors for long months of cold and gloom. I do think Nature is a great inspiration and so I may just visit the indoor gardens in Milwaukee.
Thank you all for sharing.
Every suggestion has merit and will be used,
Gosh, you all are a clever sort!
My tricks for ending creative dead zones:
Good luck!
The block from the seasonal switch is real, so is" I have to do the dishes", to" I should check on my" ........
then there is the small motors that need to go to the shop, speeking of shop, the floor is a mess and the heater could stand cleaning. There is help and it ain't me. It's this book, perfect for the midwest or wildwest.
"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. I read the introduction, and finished two pieces, and continued on three others. "Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" I don't know what I'll do after I've finished the book, but right now it got me moving, and I'm at an intersection where I could easily return to "block". To be continued. Check his web for his work, and while you are at it please look at mine and leave a comment. http://www.douglaschambers.org
How about taking a day trip to Boerner Botanical Gardens or, if you have your own garden and want to add to it, visit Milaeger's greenhouse in Racine. I think of plants as Mother Nature's jewelry. Maybe the color combinations or the shapes of leaves will inspire you and get you past your block.
Good luck.
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