My 9 Ways to Overcome Creative Crisis

Stuck in a creative slump? Fear not!

Late last year I've been not so willing to paint new projects. Kinda of waiting for fresh ideas. That feeling of being stuck in a creative slump as an artist, can be frustrating and disheartening. If you're there, fear not!  I know the proven measures I've used to go through this transitions. Not a drama, chances are we simply have exhausted the potential of our previous path. 

Be confident you'll find the next direction

Stagnation is a natural part of the creative life. Embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. It's how we respond to setbacks that truly defines our artist journey. You'll find the road to the next station!

Inspiration is found in the action

Tree in Basilicata ~ Watercolor by Francesco Fontana

Inspiration meant as magic is overrated. Writer Alberto Moravia -- who lived in typewriter times, said: inspiration is one page after the other thrown in the trash bin! To me inspiration is nothing but activating new connections from /to what we already know. 

Small goals and little routines

Start by setting small, achievable goals for yourself. Whether it's completing a painting within a certain time frame (I often set the timer) or experimenting with a specific technique, having a clear objective can give you a sense of purpose.

Search in you not on the net

Museums and art galleries are a great way to find ideas that resonate to me. The venue itself is often a source of meditation and self search. Drawing to study great masters is a great experience. Browsing art online is to do with caution, I do 15 min day tops: it's become overwhelming and a distraction from hearing my inner voice. Contemporary art galleries might also  trigger creative thoughts.

Let me recap and add a few pointers

1. Display on a wall old and recent paintings and find what they have in common (a color, a subject, a mood,.. ) (Jerry Saltz's totem concept)
   
2. Play Mode. Set a game with one or two simple rules (see my article) (size, medium, time)
3. Remake some of those you like in a different media. If anything you'll learn more about the peculiarities of your typical media.
4. Join a group and ask for feedback. They see what you don't see!
5. Travel, meet people, go to not art museums (aviation, design, history..).  
6. Recall what you loved to draw/paint at the very beginning. The real you may be there
7. Draw, scribble with no purpose, but a giving time and slot every day
8. Paint unfamiliar subjects, those you think you're not good at. Surprise!
9. Use the internet as a newspaper, not as an art book. Real art is in real life. 
   

Seek support from fellow artists

One of the best ways to overcome a creative slump is to connect with other artists who understand what you're going through. Join local art groups or online communities where you can share your struggles, seek advice, and receive constructive feedback. 

Hope this helps. It's only a small part of the practice I do. Talk to me and ask questions, that will pull out more inspiration. 

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The Mother of Invention

What's the secret of creativity? ~

When wearing seat belts in cars became mandatory in Italy, a stall appeared in Naples selling t-shirts with a black diagonal stripe printed on them. Don't we want to call them artists? They had a problem: heat in Naples and tickets from the cops, thus an idea was needed!  

Necessity sharpens ingenuity

This idea is not as simple as it sounds. Many novice and even expert painters think art is pure fun, and freedom of expression. However, self-expression does not take place without rules, because it does not trigger original solutions. 

In art, sport and business

Thinking of sports might help better understand. It is essential to work around the things you are forbidden to do. You can't touch the ball with your hands, not even unwillingly. Why do we consider Pelè or Maradona genius? Precisely because of their creativity, inventiveness, style and intuition in working out their way to the goal without using their hands. Oh my God,  Diego was actually accused to cheat a goal with his mano de Dios! Let's call it an exception

Challenge and divergent thinking

So in order to be creative, in art or business, we should make a set of obstacles and restrictions: what if i paint in 30 minutes? If I use only five forms? If I lay any color but the local one? If I paint with one eye closed? ... Result is unpredictable. And there lays the magic of creativity! 

This is a concept that an artist such as Larry Moore practice and shares in his What If University on Facebook  Larry reflects on this matter extensively and suggests some very intriguing challenges at times. 

Hope I was creative enough to inspire you within the limit of less than 360 words and 90 minute writing time. Please let me know your thoughts, I am likely to return on to this topic. 

Happy Art life! -- Francesco

PS. Some of this ideas are applied in my paintings. at the current Small Work Studio Sale