I get asked all the time if I get creative block, and what my strategies are for beating it.

First, just accept that staying creative is not easy, and it gets harder the older you get. I haven't really noticed it or accepted it until recently, but there indeed seems to be a trend. I met a woman recently who used to paint amazing realistic portraits in her youth. She's in her 60s now, and doesn't do it anymore. When I asked what happened that made her stop, she just shrugged and said, "life".

Some of us get bored and change lanes. Some of us allow the mundane to overcome the creative. And some of us, sadly, just get tired. If you're still cranking out paintings at age 60 at the same speed and quality as when you were 20, you're a rare creative genius.

My creative block comes not from lack of ideas but from the fact that sometimes none of my ideas speak to me or feel special. They don't feel worth it. And every time I go through an artist's block a part of me is scared witless that this is it, this is the end of the road, the muse is gone, never to return.

But the good news is, most times there are ways to summon the finicky byotch right back out of hiding. I don't believe there's any one "formula" for beating creative block, since we're all unique individuals who respond to different stimuli. I'll just list what helps me, and maybe it'll resonate with some of you.

- Look at other people's art. I think this one is universal. Whatever method you choose, whether it's browsing DA or opening an art book or visiting a museum, looking at art is inspirational.

- Look at your own old art. I sometimes find stuff I forgot I'd done, and old ideas become new, only better.

- Don't force it. For me it's a sure way to make things worse. You may just be stressed/tired/distracted and need a break.

- Do something else creative that doesn't have to do with art. For me it's writing.

- Enjoy silence. I know a lot of people like to listen to music to get inspired, but it does the opposite for me. It commands my attention so completely that I can't think about anything else.

-  Go shopping for art supplies. Or go shopping for something else. Or just go for a walk. Point is, don't just sit on your couch and wait for your muse to return. It'll only depress you. Get out there, change your surroundings. I once heard someone say they liked to just board an Amtrak train and go wherever their fancy took them. I doubt most of us can afford it, but it's a great idea.

- Do some sketching/doodling. Doodle whatever you want. Draw fan art. Do collage. And don't worry about being perfect.

- Waste some time. Seriously. Surf the web, play a videogame, whatever. In the immortal words of John Lennon, "the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted."

- Do something that makes you laugh. It's true what they say about laughter being the best medicine. I like to look at those silly Rage comics memes.

- Look for reference. Sometimes all it takes is a single photo to get the creative juices flowing. My drawing High Water ([link]) was born that way.

- Do something mundane and boring. Do the dishes, wash the car, go grocery shopping.

- Cook yummy food. It's cathartic.

- Do a puzzle or build stuff out of legos. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy kids' stuff.

- Take a long shower. Seriously, you think different in the shower.

- Work out. Run, pump iron, go for a bike ride, whatever your poison of choice is. I do dance aerobics.

- Curl up with a cup of tea (or coffee) and a good book.

- This doesn't apply to everyone but if you frame your own work, do some mat-cutting. It relaxes me.

- Broaden your interests. The more diverse your interests are the most sources of inspiration you'll have.

- Try a new medium or do some crafts. I like to do scrapbooking and sculpting. I used to paint miniatures but it hurts my eyes these days.

I'm sure I've missed some, but those are the strategies that work best for me.

Feel free to share yours!




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