For the past couple of months I have found myself living with the ultimate artists nightmare….the Creative Block.
I have read every article I could find about this phenomenon of becoming “blocked”. I have spoken with other artists. I have spoken with my art coach. I have spent hours soul searching, and here is what I finally came up with:
There are as many answers to what causes Artist Block as suggestions on what to do about it. I was told the block could be caused by fear, overwork, stress, depression, etc. Then I was told by varying sources the way to get over it was to: Just paint, it will come; Sit in your studio and meditate but don’t touch anything; try to paint a series so there will be less stress; paint with your other hand; paint in a different medium, and on it went.
What I actually discovered was that artists block may well be a blend of these reasons. That each of us has very personal reasons that may intermingle to cause our blocks, be they internal or external. And I found artist blocks are not unusual. Many of the artists I talked to had been through a block themselves. That really surprised me.
Finally as often happens, the answers seemed to come at me from a few different corners. Many of my artist friends have found they needed a few weeks or even months after intense workshops to assimilate the knowledge they acquired. Almost as if their creative soul was somehow incorporating this information they have learned into their style, while their physical body takes a break from art. This was definitely an ah-ha moment. It is difficult to watch a master artist at work, and determine what you can and want to incorporate into your work. This physical break from painting makes sense to me at least.
Cyd – I’m so glad you seem to have moved past your block and have created this lovely piece. I haven’t every experienced that problem, but I do know people who have or are still fighting through it. I was just reading your mini bio on the side…what a wonderful way to grow up with artists and all kinds of art media around. You have definitely brought color into your work. Keep it up!!
Ah, the joy of breaking through a block! Lovely splash of a gerbera too!
Joan, thank you so much. I love this little painting. Probably because it did break my block. LOL.
I spent a lot of time reading about blocks and talking to people, and I came down to everyone comes through it in their own time and way I think. I hope your friends are able to break through theirs. It seems so normal to me to have grown up surrounded by art. And all my family now have homes where the same things are happening. I don’t think I could even count the artists in our family, whether fine art, graphic art, musicians, and even a fabulous actress! It’s as natural to us as breathing I guess. :)
Mithila, it was just that. Pure Joy at breaking that block! :)