At one point or another, painters, writers, actors, movie directors, photographers, and any other kind of artist will always reach a place where creativity ceases to flow. When this happens, usually, the first thought that comes to one’s mind is frustration, especially if there is a deadline to meet.
How can you finish this on time? What if the client is not satisfied with the pictures you are taking? You need to write a 1,000-word article before the end of the day, but you haven’t even reached 100 words. Will you ever get it done?
These are but a few examples of the many questions that pop into an artist’s head. And while there are no clear-cut, straightforward answers to any of them, there are certain things an individual can do to overcome a creative block and keep on treading along.
Let us look at some of the most important ones.
Learning and Information
An excellent option for a high school student still undecided on which career path to pursue in the future is taking strand courses. Not only will they grant the exposure the student needs on different subjects, but they also help them make a more informed decision regarding their undergraduate program. Furthermore, they will aid the student by providing them with valuable, life-long skills such as presentations, communications, and writing.
The same is true for an artist. For the creative muse to keep on pumping ideas, it needs to be fed every once in a while. And the best way to do that is by taking courses and learning new things, regardless of what they may be.
A fashion photographer doesn’t need to know about European history to do their job. But if they do, it may help them develop better ideas for a photoshoot with a prominent Italian brand. Likewise, a romantic comedy screenwriter doesn’t have to understand high-tech devices. Yet, knowing about them will enhance their writing ability, give more substance to their characters, and strengthen the plot.
An Environment of Inspiration
Many times, the biggest block to a creative mind is the mind itself and the surrounding environment. For example, a writer who has been writing for days on end often reaches a stage where the ideas cease to be original and captivating and become simply a regurgitation of themselves. In these instances, few things are better than a change in environment, one that brings inspiration and a wealth of knowledge.
Still, one must keep in mind that change doesn’t have to be drastic to be effective. A breath of fresh air can be a two-hour break to go outside, walk around for a few minutes, and see the things happening around you. Or it could be watching a movie, listening to music, or speaking to a friend.
In essence, what this concept entails is finding a place different from the task at hand. If you are a painter and constantly find yourself surrounded by all things art, it would be wise to look at something completely different, industrial, or even related to sports.
You never know where ingenuity is waiting. Often, you will find it in the place where you least expect it to be.
The Greatest Teacher
Life is the greatest teacher you will ever have. It shows you the difference between right and wrong. It instructs you on topics such as financial success, love and relationships, health, pain, and many more. No matter how simple you think your life might be, we all have defining moments. These are situations that have shaped us into who we are. As a result, they are an invaluable source of insight and originality.
The greatest artists are not afraid of going the extra mile, those who dare to look deep within, irrespective of if they might like what they find. They can look at their own lives and experiences with honesty, at both the good and the painful, and get little pieces from each.
If you want to find something exceptional and meaningful, look at a time when you experienced pain and remember what you learned from it and how you felt. If you do so, you will find something sincere and genuine, something that will captivate your audience.
As we have seen, there are three great ways to deal with a creative block. First, you can learn new things, thus expanding the amount of information you have. Second, you can look for a change in scenery. Finally, you can find inspiration in your own experiences in life, especially the not-so-happy ones. They are a fountain of creativity all of us can tap into at any moment in our lives.
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Now is the time to let your passion SHINE.
Now is the time to Make Tomorrow Today!
To your success,
Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex
Your Coaches ArtSHINE industries
