10 Artists on Breaking Free of a Creative Rut Blog
The 12 artists we asked to tell us how they come up with motivation when they're looking at blank pages, when they're figuring how to come through a plateau or to better realize their potential. The artists suggested 10 strategies which are simple and quick to use and, surprise! One of them involves having a nap!
- Keep an Inspirational Library
Keep things that you find inspiring such as art books, posters, quotes, or souvenirs from your travels. So, if you need assistance in getting out of the routine, you'll be armed with a vast repository of ideas waiting for you.
The library doesn't necessarily have to be a physical library Of course. It can be a corner of your workspace or a drawer filled with mementos. You can also make it the form of a Pinterest board or a folder on your computer.
2. Tick Off Your Chores
Believe it or not, many of the artists we talked to suggest doing some housework to aid with a creative rut. This serves two purposes. It is because routine tasks don't require much concentration Your mind can be at ease to think about and come across new ideas.
3. Exercise
4. Have a Nap
Editor, poet, along with 3D creator David Stenbeck relies on the benefits of rest in order to get out of a rut. "Take time to rest," he suggests. "It's something like an inner spring rain that'll leave you energized enough to pick up where you stopped. Napping isn't lazy. Napping is fun." Even if don't dream up the next great idea it's a good idea to give you time and space to rest and recharge.
5. Take Away
Still, you don't have to travel halfway across the globe in order to benefit from a change of scenery. Spend time exploring places you aren't used to, even if they're nearby. Studies suggest that stepping into a vibrant new neighborhood can provide the spark needed to ignite the imagination.
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6. Act First, Then Think About It
Let go of any notions, preconceptions, or opinions, and simply take pleasure in the process of making. If you allow those fears go to the side and you are able to surprise yourself by the ease with which you can free yourself from the creative blockage.
7. Remember What Motivated You to Do What You Do
How did you come to art at all in the first place? By taking the pressure off yourself and focusing clearly on your goals and interests, you will be able to get back to the basics , and generate new ideas to inform what you can do to break free of your rut.
8. Eliminate Stress
"When I find myself in a creative rut It is crucial for me to stop and examine why I feel like I'm in the same rut." artist and painter Shane Miller says. "Most often, it's because I've lost concentration. I strive to get rid of any unnecessary pressures or things in my life that are zapping my energy. I'm convinced that we only have so much headspace, and if we allow it to fill up with things that aren't important, it will take away from our ability to focus. When I am in a slump I clear my head and create a void to allow the creativity to continue to flow."
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9. Get Off the Internet
The web is an excellent source of the inspiration you need, particularly when looking to create that "inspiration library" which we spoke of earlier. However, once you reach a certain level the internet can cause problems, especially when you're trying to figure out how to overcome the rut of creativity. "The internet is filled with beautiful things, but it's also very disorienting," 3D artist Martin Vokaty acknowledges. "Spending long hours online surfing can be detrimental to the development of your imagination. Keep your smartphone away from you while doing your work."
10. Accept the "Rut"
Sometimes, getting stuck is just another part of the creative process. If you're not able to resolve it, embrace it. What seems like a "creative roadblock" in the first place could turn out to be just another obstacle on the path of your art. Learn from it, and trust you'll emerge on with a fresh perspective.