Have you ever had a creative block, but you just can't put your finger on the reason for the block? Some of the most creative people I know have experienced one or more of these blocks, and I have experienced some myself. My straightforwardness comes from knowing we all need a jolt now and then to wake us up. We're all human. As artists, sometimes our humanness shines more brightly. So here are 10 interesting and valid reasons we experience creative blocks.
1. Over-preparation.
Are you continually preparing for your next artistic creation, but not actually creating anything? Some of the signs of over-preparation are:
- Buying new anything supplies when the one(s) you have are adequate.
- Cleaning the easel or tabletop for the umpteenth time.
- Involving yourself in extracurricular conversation around you that's none of your business.
- Rearranging and organizing your supplies and utensils...again.
- It's been over a month since your last complete project and you're still preparing.
You're an artist. You're not a chicken and you're not a prima-donna. Enough preparing. You're prepared. You're over-prepared. Start creating.
2. Unresolved personal conflicts.
Are you angry with someone? Is someone angry with you? Unless you are the type that uses emotional conflict to convey your emotion to the canvas, your mind cannot be fully dedicated to the creative process. Clear up the personal problem first, and free up your mind to be creative.
3. Fatigue.
You've been burning the candle at both ends and in the middle, and you know it. Frankly, you've been overdoing it in nearly all aspects of your life, except your artwork. Take a break, a short one. Fatigue messes with the creative mind, and that's messed up.
4. There is something you should have done, but you little procrastinator, you didn't do it.
Your mind is distracted because you know you should have done it. Distracted minds are death to the creative process. Better clean the kitchen. Or mow the lawn. Or do the laundry. That shirt isn't going to make it a fourth day. There, doesn't that smell better? Now get down to creating.
5. Believing your own lies.
You keep looking for the perfect subject, the right combination. You can't find the "just right" of your art, and no one seems to understand. You might call it perfectionism. Most of us say you're either full of yourself or you're full of something else. Get down off your self-made pedestal and stick your pencil to the paper. Are you really all that to everyone? You are an intelligent artist; do you really need to hear the answer to that question?
6. You worry over a deadline.
Who set the deadline for this creative project? If it's a true deadline given to you by someone who hired you, take your first gut instinct and go with it. You were hired because the person you are working for can't do what you can. Did you set an artificial deadline for yourself because you feel like you just have to get something created since it's been too long since your last creation? Anxiety can kill your creative spirit. You know you're good. You know you're an artist. Relax. You have talent. Let it surge.
7. You think you're not creative enough.
Keep telling yourself that and you just might make it so. Ah, the power of suggestion. Ok, the pity party is over. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Take heart in this: Your excuses are creative which proves you really are creative! You're an artist. Stop creating excuses and start creating art.
8. You're afraid of creating art that people won't like.
For whom do you create? Yourself? Sure, pour out your heart on the canvas. It's your heart and soul, and it's your creative qualities that matter, right? Guess again. What if you went to see the Nutcracker ballet and a barbershop quartet showed up? Hey, but they're a great barbershop quartet, right? Right. Better know your audience. Either play for your audience or find a new audience before they find a new player.
9. You're trying too hard to relate your artwork to events in your own life.
Oh, no, not your life story. For ninety-nine percent of us, no matter what we think we've experienced, no one really cares. Just come to grips with that fact. Don't try to create or recreate your life story. For sure not your life story.
10. Just can't seem to get your emotion onto the canvas.
Your emotion getting onto the canvas is not important unless it arouses emotion in the viewer. Sure, put emotion into your work. But think about your art from a different viewpoint. Get over your own emotions and start working on the emotions of your viewers.
Canvas and Pen, http://www.canvasandpen.com offers relief for artists and writers who have encountered creative blocks. Get inspiration and motivation from articles and features specifically designed to inspire the artist and writer. Got a creative block? Relax. Kick back and motivate!
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