Artist’s block.
“Blank brain”.
Creative winter…
Whatever you call it, I’m in it.
It started as a brief ‘pause’ after my 100 Portraits project in order to re-assess the direction I’m headed as an artist, because I was feeling a bit aimless and unsatisfied, moving around in tiny circles. I think it’s ok to take a break if you’re experiencing frustration with your work; wipe the slate clean and take a good objective view at what you’ve done and what you want to accomplish. Am I headed toward that goal? Am I satisfied with the direction that I’m going? Be careful, however, that the intended short self-examination doesn’t stretch into a long-term hiatus.
It’s not that I haven’t done anything at all- in fact I have four unfinished works sitting in my studio at the moment, none of which I will probably ever bring to completion, because in the midst of the process I’ve turned a corner and said, “oh,”. So I ask myself, am I just making excuses? Am I creating roadblocks for myself subconsciously? Time has dragged on, and it has now been five months since I have actually completed a piece of art, save for one morning sketch I did about 2 weeks ago. That was refreshing. However, in my own defence, during this period I have closed my business and gone back to work full time, I have taken on the position of assistant coach for my daughter’s soccer team, and begun the process of rebuilding a motorcycle… And hey, I have four kids. That’s the number one excuse that others give to me freely.
So here is an examination of the ten worst habits that I have developed which keep me safe from being productive. Feel free to add to my list if I’ve missed anything.
Number one: Television. Best creativity killer on the planet.
Number two: Go to bed late and get up early. Being tired all the time is really helpful.
Number three: Put all kinds of non art-related junk in your studio space so that you don’t even want to look at it.
Number four: Become obsessed with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and check your iphone every five minutes to see if anybody loves you.
Number five: Don’t bother doing anything small- make sure that all art projects you want to do will take at least 50 to 100 hours.
Number six: If you do feel the urge to make some art, make sure there are tons of distractions around; if there are none, see number four.
Number seven: Decide to completely re-invent yourself as an artist. (Never take small steps in this regard- always good for a personal crisis.)
Number eight: Listen carefully to all the voices in your head telling you to give it up, you’re not a real artist anyways.
Number nine: Completely alienate yourself from all of your artist friends, and secretly creep them on Facebook so nobody asks what you’ve been up to…
Number ten: Busy yourself as much as possible with other things- home renos, rebuilding motorcycles… and faithfully do these during your studio times.
Did I miss anything?
Yours in procrastination,
artboy68
That’s so true!!
Help us all…
I’m agree with your list quite, except number four, but i have not right inspiration on my work and it seems a waste of time. Excluding some things, my brain is empty, my country is dead and maybe i’ll move on another country. I don’t know, my friend. Is it a mind’s prison or the world is becoming a jail?
Take Care,
A.
A bit of both, I presume. It’s like us versus Goliath sometimes, whether it’s our own personal giant or the one outside the door. I guess that’s one reason that art-making is so important?
Keep on, Antonio!
Very interesting post, after reading it over a few times…it sounds like my life in general…and in reference to occulto post…Barb and James leave Dec 3 for their new life in Panama. Sold the house and have packed everything up in a container..so thank you for the reflection ..I think..;) now i have a guilty feeling and feel the need to be productive,and shut the computer off….
That cursed number four! All the best to Barb, James & family! What an adventure.
You’ve summed it up quite well;) And four kids, that’s a reality, not an excuse-you get a free pass there. However….you could keep a sketchbook by the TV, Do a little digital work in between the FBing, take a camera out with you and shoot for composition, for reference, for color, for texture, be nice to yourself (keep the judgmental internal dialog at bay), but also kick yourself in the behind to do something creative every day. Both you and Antonio, try something totally out of your experience-a different medium, point of view, technique. All those things should give ya a jumpstart. Don’t wait, just do. And, we want to see your sketches, what does and does not work. We’re all in this together, this post is a good start-keep it going:)
Thank you Elena. I need the kick in the pants! All excellent suggestions, I will endeavor to follow
Yes, I recognise (nearly) all of those. I have no kids, don’t work (health issues) and have no access to motorbikes, but apart from those… all true.
My biggest distraction and I really do believe that it’s more than simply an emotional one, is that with the amount of time I spend online (surfing, youtube, blogging, with facebook and twitter coming in last) my brain cells are withering… Whenever I take an internet break and turn it off completely, my creativity starts to come back. I think it’s that there is so much bombardment from external images and other content, that our brains just aren’t making the necessary connections needed to produce new – and original – stuff. I think it’s becoming biological.
But from what I see of your art work – maybe it’s just that you need to take some time off the stuff you have told yourself you must do because you committed yourself to it long-term, and just allow yourself to play?
Thanks Val. Agreed. Even reading art publications throws me off of my own personal creative track; too much external influence. I have the same experience, and having taken a long break, I find my creativity coming back.
PS I’ve added your blog to my bookmarks. I don’t use the ‘Follow’ button anymore as the Reader is so glitchy.
Thanks Val!
Hey Scott, sorry to be late responding here. Your list is, I believe, definitive!! It made me both laugh and shake my head in sad recognition.
We all go thru such periods. I think Perfectionism and Fear Of Failure are the two main factors. They can be absolutely debilitating. Sometimes one can work his way thru such spells, other times I think they have to run their course.
You’re an excellent artist, so put any doubts aside. Relax. Enjoy Advent and the Christmas Season– we need to remember this life is transitory, as is all art and fatuous talk of same. You might try reading Rudyard Kipling’s great poem, If. It puts many things in perspective, and contains a great line about Triumph and Disaster both being impostors.
Hang tough, keep smilin’. : )