Let's Talk Art Block

 

Let’s talk about this thing called art block. What is Art block? Art or also Artists block refers to a creative barrier/obstacle or often a mental barrier that prevents an artist from generating new ideas and therefore not producing any new work. Art block sucks and there is no way to sugar coat this at all. I have been dealing with Art block for a few months now and it is so infuriating. Before I would always have ideas in my head or get inspired so quickly by things I saw versus now where there is just nothing in my brain. It is completely blank. As an artist that is incredibly frustrating, I used to draw every day or at least every week when I didn’t have the time to do it daily but now every time, I pick up my iPad or pen and paper there is nothing. I have the same issue with writing too luckily I seem to have overcome my writing block as you can probably tell by the blog but I have written stories again as well. Yay for a small victory!

A few ways that art block can occur is due to Stress, Burnout, Self-doubt, negative self-talk but also less severe factors such as simply running out of ideas or a lack of inspiration. I talk incredibly negatively about my work; I doubt myself all the time due to an experience I had many years ago that caused me to stop drawing completely for years. Sadly, what that person said to me still lives in my head and causes me to be incredibly critical of my work. Stress is another factor same as burnout. I’ve had burnout in the past and feel like I have never fully recovered from it which makes things bad when I get really stressed because I feel like I can’t do anything once stress starts eating at me.

I love art so incredibly much and not being able to produce any work is so frustrating and quite honestly makes me sad as well. Every now and then I get these ideas in my head and when I pick up my Apple Pencil the idea seems to just vanish, and I can’t put anything on “paper”. Even as I am sitting here typing this I have hundreds of pens, gouache and acrylic paint staring at me just waiting for a turn but I have to disappoint them because there is just a blank space in my mind.

The Internet has some ideas on how to counter art blocks. Taking a break from art could recharge those batteries, change in the Environment like changing the desk set up or the area you usually draw/paint. Using idea generators or talking to others to bounce of ideas. Other ways could possibly be partaking in art challenges.

I have tried some of these before without luck BUT I am willing to give it another go and see how things go. It might take me a hot moment, but I am not giving up. I will kick this art blocks booty! I hope you have never had to experience art block, if you have? I am sorry. And if you are currently going through it, let’s try together to get out of it. Let’s even make this a Goal for 2025. Overcoming Art Block!