Rock the Block

As with every artist since the beginning of art, I’ve had my bouts with artist’s block. I feel blocked about once a week on average. A block can take many forms. Watching an ungodly amount of tv, multiple naps a day, endless scrolling through social media, the whole time thinking about the long list of projects on my to do list. But what it comes down to is I’m not creating anything.

Output isn’t always the most important part of being an artist, but when I’m avoiding creating, I’m avoiding activities that normally make me happy. Why would I do that to myself?

When it comes to my art, I become an impatient gremlin. If something is taking longer than I would like to get right, I get frustrated. I slink away from my projected, defeated, and lie down somewhere. Sure, that probably isn’t the best way to get over the block, but it’s my natural response.

There’s a lot of things I do to get back into my groove. Sometimes it takes a few pokes to get to the vein of creativity, but I always make it back eventually. I just can’t seem to stay away. Here’s a list of things I try to do when I feel blocked.

1. Find inspiration elsewhere

First, I allow myself to take time away from creating. Input can be as important as output, so I scroll through my Pinterest boards or my Instagram feed. I make mental notes (and sometimes physical notes) of either changes to a current project or plans for future projects. I flip through old lists and sketchbooks to see things I have overlooked. Letting myself be a sponge to soak up inspiration is the only method I use every time to get out of my creative funk.

2. Start a side project

Sometimes the best way to overcome block on one project is to put your full focus on another. When I do this, I try to make the side project a short one so I can turn back to the main project when it’s complete. I choose projects I’ve had my eye on for a while, something burning a hole in my to-do list. It also helps if the side project is a completely different medium than the main project. I can’t distract myself from a block I’m having on an oil painting with another oil painting. I have to sculpt something, or draw digitally. I place the main project on the back burner for a short time, still simmering, knowing I’ll come back to it.

3. Clean

This is a strategy I use fairly often. My creative space gets messy when I’m creating, and I usually embrace that, feeling productive. But if I hit a block during a project, sometimes a reset is in order. Clearing out the clutter gives me time to focus on something else, but keeps my hands busy. It’s how I avoid schlumping over to the couch to lay down for just 20 minutes...an hour...maybe four. When I’m done, I can re-messy my studio again. Cleaning can be meditative, especially if you’re using it to avoid doing something else.

4. Write a To-Do list

I have so many to do lists. Written in notebooks, scrap pieces of paper, the notes app on my iPad, and dry erase boards. It’s how I organize my thoughts and ideas in a way that I can see. And I love to put little check marks next to things I’ve finished. (Do I sometimes write down things I’ve already done to feel more productive? Of course, but that’s not the point.) I like writing to-do lists as reminders to myself of what I can accomplish. It motivates me to get started, so I can feel the thrill of being done. When I don’t get to something on the list, I write it on the next one. Take two.

5. Phone a friend

The struggle with artist’s block is not always the result of an ongoing project, but the lack of motivation for a new one. Recently, I fell into this particular sand trap, and I tried something I never have before. A friend and fellow creative called, and we spoke about our ongoing projects and struggles. As a writer, he struggled to find visuals to compliment his poetry and creative writing posts. I needed a second pair of eyes to look over descriptions I was writing for my portfolio. The perfect exchange ensued: I would create artwork for his stories, and he would help me edit my writing. With his ideas as my inspiration and his deadlines as my motivation, I produced work I was proud of for the first time in months. Other creatives can give you just the right push to start something. And they’ll keep you on track!Every text and email I got from him was a reminder to get to work and hold up my end of the deal.

Even with these methods, I struggle on a daily basis to push past my block and accomplish my goals. Finding motivation can be hard, even to do the things you love. Finding what works for you is the best way to get around it or even use it to your advantage!

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