Top Artists Reveal 10 Best Ways to Beat Artist’s Block

The dreaded artist’s block. It happens to all of us – no matter what level – but there are some great ways to defeat it! Please welcome some of the most well-known artists in the industry as they share their secrets on how to overcome a creative block and stay inspired.

#1) Think about good things

Good Things

It helps to focus on the good things that have happened and keep track of them so you can look back and be inspired.

Discover this “Journaling the Good Things” tutorial by Roben-Marie Smith

***

#2) Discover a ritual for your soul

I Am Loved Madelyn Mulvaney

Every morning I awaken at around 5 a.m. I make myself a French press of coffee while the early light glimmers through my windows. This time alone is vital for my soul’s well-being ~ my daily rituals give me space for my creative spirit to lean into awakenings. The house is cathedral quiet and uncommonly beautiful ~ a lovely way to begin the day.  The gift of space and solitude.  Then…I gather up my three crazy dogs and hike up the mountain, return back home and make myself a massive bowl of Irish oatmeal. (The breakfast of poets!)

~ Madelyn Mulvaney, contributing writer for Somerset Life

***

#3) Focus on just the essentials

Jo Packham Sizzix

For me the tip is to “focus” on one part of the project that can be completed in two or three small steps in just a minute. For example, when I was designing a new line of dies for Sizzix, I got completely overwhelmed with the possibilities. So, I collected myself, picked one design idea, created a few drawings, added my favorite sentiment, chose the colors, and then I was done. The completion of this one design concept then led me to the second, then third, and so on until pretty soon I had enough designs for two or three lines.

I believe that artist block comes from too much inspiration, too many ideas and endless possibilities. I don’t believe that very many of us ever have a moment when we cannot think of one more thing to create!

~ Jo Packham, Where Women Cook

***

 #4) Venture outside

Lylah Ledner WWCB

When I have an artist block, I make myself a cup of French Press coffee, add nice heavy cream and head outside to either walk around my farm and soak up/breathe deep the garden places or I’ll venture to the baby goat yard and sit and watch them play.

~ Lylah Ledner, Where Women Create Business

***

#5) Spring clean and browse books

Mary Beth Type Drawer Organization 

There are several ways I beat artist block. The first (and easiest) is to clean my studio. Inevitably, during the cleaning process I will come across something that inspires me to make art. If that fails, I browse through art books and I am back to creating before I know it.

~ Mary Beth Shaw, author of “Flavor for Mixed Media

***

#6) Show up and paint anyways

Mindy Lacefield

My approach to defeating my block is a good balance of showing up in my studio and painting anyways as well as taking time away to spend time walking my two poodles. They continue to remind me to stay in the present moment. Once I am able to still my mind, magic finds its way to me.

~ Mindy Lacefield, published in Art Journaling

***

#7) Be gentle with yourself

Mary Wangerin Grid 

The block likes to come and go at will, which can be so frustrating! It’s nice to have some tips and tricks in your bag to help beat it. I am gentle with myself when the block comes. Instead of forcing something out that doesn’t want to be seen just yet, I try and enjoy a little time outside of the studio. It’s amazing what a day of nurturing your creative spirit can do for creativity… Often, it’s just enough to rekindle that spark again. I love long walks in the fresh air to clear my mind. Another favorite is breaking out my camera to help focus in on the goodness that surrounds.

~ Mary Wangerin, published in Artful Blogging Winter 2014

***

#8) Re-organize your workspace

Pam Carriker Studio

I like to re-organize my workspace. I find that I’m often inspired as I sort through my projects and products and unearth things that have been buried. When my space is clean it’s also inviting to begin something new!

~ Pam Carriker, columnist for Art Journaling, and contributing artist for Somerset Studio

***

#9) Doodle for fun

Vanessa Valencia doodle

The way to beat artist block is to jump in and do something creative – other than what you are working on – and for me that is often doodling.  Make something because it’s fun. Draw or splat paint for the fun of it.

~ Vanessa Valencia, published in Somerset Life

 ***

#10) Rest and refresh

 Claudine Hellmuth tapes

I encounter artist block when I am burnt out and tired, so that means it’s time to rest, rest, rest! I take lots of naps, watch movies, curl up with a good book or listen to some inspiring music. The hardest part is knowing the creativity will come back, it just needs time. I always panic and worry “what if this time I never create again!”, but I always do.

Claudine Hellmuth

 

Thank you to all of the artists who shared their secrets for conquering the dreaded artist’s block!

How do you beat your artist’s block? Comment below to share your creative cure.




Posted: Monday, February 24th, 2014 @ 2:32 pm
Categories: How-To Project Tutorials.
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6 Responses to “Top Artists Reveal 10 Best Ways to Beat Artist’s Block”

  1. My creative cure to beat artist’s block is to get up and MOVE! I put on my favorite music playlist {neo-soul, contemporary gospel, old-school classics, jazz} and have a short, jam session!
    I also try to do something out of the ordinary, or, “out of routine”, once a day. Think of ways you can utilize what you already have around you. Then, come back and tackle your project! This teaches you to invite yourself back in- but with new eyes.

  2. Renee Zarate says:

    I usually do some warm up sketches, currently I draw one face every day. Other times I get a large sheet of watercolor paper and start spraying inks like Dylusions or irRESISTibles on the page using different stencils. That last one works EVERY time. Next thing you know I have a master board to cut up and turn into something wonderful.

  3. Linda says:

    Thank you I am block from the holidays. It is when I am quite and ’empty’ that an idea comes to me. Right now my craft room looks like a horder’s paradise or what I like to call paradox in it present condition. You’re right I-need-to-clean-out!

  4. […] * Top Artists Reveal 10 Ways to Beat Artist Block by Somerset Place […]

  5. chark says:

    Look through my Somerset Studio mags and something will speak to me and make me wanna play.

  6. Chrstine says:

    What did Vanessa use to colour on her hands in #9 ??!

Jordan How-To Project Tutorials ,,,,,,,,,

The dreaded artist’s block. It happens to all of us – no matter what level – but there are some great ways to defeat it! Please welcome some of the most well-known artists in the industry as they share their secrets on how to overcome a creative block and stay inspired.

#1) Think about good things

Good Things

It helps to focus on the good things that have happened and keep track of them so you can look back and be inspired.

Discover this “Journaling the Good Things” tutorial by Roben-Marie Smith

***

#2) Discover a ritual for your soul

I Am Loved Madelyn Mulvaney

Every morning I awaken at around 5 a.m. I make myself a French press of coffee while the early light glimmers through my windows. This time alone is vital for my soul’s well-being ~ my daily rituals give me space for my creative spirit to lean into awakenings. The house is cathedral quiet and uncommonly beautiful ~ a lovely way to begin the day.  The gift of space and solitude.  Then…I gather up my three crazy dogs and hike up the mountain, return back home and make myself a massive bowl of Irish oatmeal. (The breakfast of poets!)

~ Madelyn Mulvaney, contributing writer for Somerset Life

***

#3) Focus on just the essentials

Jo Packham Sizzix

For me the tip is to “focus” on one part of the project that can be completed in two or three small steps in just a minute. For example, when I was designing a new line of dies for Sizzix, I got completely overwhelmed with the possibilities. So, I collected myself, picked one design idea, created a few drawings, added my favorite sentiment, chose the colors, and then I was done. The completion of this one design concept then led me to the second, then third, and so on until pretty soon I had enough designs for two or three lines.

I believe that artist block comes from too much inspiration, too many ideas and endless possibilities. I don’t believe that very many of us ever have a moment when we cannot think of one more thing to create!

~ Jo Packham, Where Women Cook

***

 #4) Venture outside

Lylah Ledner WWCB

When I have an artist block, I make myself a cup of French Press coffee, add nice heavy cream and head outside to either walk around my farm and soak up/breathe deep the garden places or I’ll venture to the baby goat yard and sit and watch them play.

~ Lylah Ledner, Where Women Create Business

***

#5) Spring clean and browse books

Mary Beth Type Drawer Organization 

There are several ways I beat artist block. The first (and easiest) is to clean my studio. Inevitably, during the cleaning process I will come across something that inspires me to make art. If that fails, I browse through art books and I am back to creating before I know it.

~ Mary Beth Shaw, author of “Flavor for Mixed Media

***

#6) Show up and paint anyways

Mindy Lacefield

My approach to defeating my block is a good balance of showing up in my studio and painting anyways as well as taking time away to spend time walking my two poodles. They continue to remind me to stay in the present moment. Once I am able to still my mind, magic finds its way to me.

~ Mindy Lacefield, published in Art Journaling

***

#7) Be gentle with yourself

Mary Wangerin Grid 

The block likes to come and go at will, which can be so frustrating! It’s nice to have some tips and tricks in your bag to help beat it. I am gentle with myself when the block comes. Instead of forcing something out that doesn’t want to be seen just yet, I try and enjoy a little time outside of the studio. It’s amazing what a day of nurturing your creative spirit can do for creativity… Often, it’s just enough to rekindle that spark again. I love long walks in the fresh air to clear my mind. Another favorite is breaking out my camera to help focus in on the goodness that surrounds.

~ Mary Wangerin, published in Artful Blogging Winter 2014

***

#8) Re-organize your workspace

Pam Carriker Studio

I like to re-organize my workspace. I find that I’m often inspired as I sort through my projects and products and unearth things that have been buried. When my space is clean it’s also inviting to begin something new!

~ Pam Carriker, columnist for Art Journaling, and contributing artist for Somerset Studio

***

#9) Doodle for fun

Vanessa Valencia doodle

The way to beat artist block is to jump in and do something creative – other than what you are working on – and for me that is often doodling.  Make something because it’s fun. Draw or splat paint for the fun of it.

~ Vanessa Valencia, published in Somerset Life

 ***

#10) Rest and refresh

 Claudine Hellmuth tapes

I encounter artist block when I am burnt out and tired, so that means it’s time to rest, rest, rest! I take lots of naps, watch movies, curl up with a good book or listen to some inspiring music. The hardest part is knowing the creativity will come back, it just needs time. I always panic and worry “what if this time I never create again!”, but I always do.

Claudine Hellmuth

 

Thank you to all of the artists who shared their secrets for conquering the dreaded artist’s block!

How do you beat your artist’s block? Comment below to share your creative cure.