ARTIST TO ARTIST

ARTIST TO ARTIST

The Creative Challenge (notes from a recent one hour workshop)
Artists are creative. We have an inner urge to express outwardly what we feel inwardly. Sometimes that is thru painting, sometimes writing, or other artistic activities. We have a love for what we do. Artists study - with instructors, mentors, thru books, at workshops, and often alone in order to increase our knowledge of how to create. We want to know more about what we love to do! Artists experience the creative process thru doing what we love to do and what we study to do. But at some point in every artist's creative efforts there comes a time of dryness. Of frustration. Of the inability to move beyond the blank page or blank canvas. Many call this "artist block". Are there underlying causes that we may not be aware of? Artist experience "anxiety". It accompanies creative work. What happens when we experience this anxiety? Inner voices are heard - criticism and self-doubt. Those voices break down our resolve and cause resistance. How can you tell when you reach such a point? Starting to paint...and suddenly you want to check your email. Try to do something new but find yourself doing the same thing over and over. Take detours instead of facing the work head on. Retreat into a safe mode of working to keep from experimenting. Feelings of pressure to perform, meet deadlines, having a lack of time. Procrastinating. Predicting failure. Sleepiness or headaches What can cause the anxiety? Content of the work Fear of revealing ourselves in our work Fear of revealing what the work means to us Competition Giving up rational thinking to intuitive processes Revealing new attitudes toward your work Feeling like you've lost the inspiration ....and more...what's on your list? How can we overcome the inner voices, the anxiety, and deal with the resistances we put up? Recognize that the anxiety is a natural part of the creative process, accept and tolerate it. Recognize the resistance patterns and be able to work things out "in the work" itself rather than turning away from it.		How does "artist block" make you feel? What would you consider the negative aspects of "artist block"? frustration unable to concentrate feel like a failure negative toward your art and yourself unable to meet deadlines unable to "get in gear", make decisions, move forward What factors can contribute or influence artist block? External Time commitments Seasonal (SAD) weather changes Family problems (death, illness, debt, etc.) Unsupportive people Internal Physical - the body (health, sight, disabilities,etc.) Mental - the mind, will, emotions Spiritual - inner fears Instead of viewing all the negative aspects, consider some of the "positives"! Look at this as a time for evaluation. Am I at a turning point in my creative efforts? Is my usual way of doing things becoming stale? Is it time for a mentoring session? Look at where you have been, where you are now, and consider where you want to go with your art. Recognizing that all artists have such times is an encouragement. Let's consider the lists above not as "creative blocks" but as "creative challenges". Instead of thinking in terms of "hitting the wall", think in terms of "finding a new door". Times of transition can be intimidating, frustrating and even fearful. But with a nurtured body, a strong sense of purpose and a spirit willing to face the unknown, you can achieve new insight into who you are as an artist and where you want to go. I highly recommend books by Eric Maisel that deal with the creative process. His insight into the artistic mindset has been a great help to me. Artist to Artist - Painting Plein Air and Oil Pastels