Art mental blocks & inspiration slumps.

6th February 2013 at 21:09

For the past few months I've been in a total slump inspiration-wise. I used to always have some painting I was working on or just sit in front of the tv & draw in the evening. Every other week my boyfriend would come home from work at 1am & I'd (& our flat) would be covered in paint or charcoal. I found out my flat would be getting knocked down & I'd be getting re-housed a while before Christmas so I packed & told i'd be moved before Christmas. I moved into my new place a week ago & have loads of craft projects but nothing for art. It's really starting to get to me & knock my confidence with everything from drawing to painting, you know, I just need something big to reassure myself that I don't suck.

So, when you're having an art mental block what do you do? Any interesting projects you've done lately (I'm not trying to steal ideas, I'm just trying to find something to base my own on, like a theme to go for)? Or do you just have any suggestions? I've been drawing images from magazines & what not but it copying other stuff never feels very creative to me.

Thanks,
Georgia x

Edit Delete

Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam

3 replies since 6th February 2013 • Last reply 6th February 2013

Tabby

Reply #1: 11th March 2013 at 13:01

I have come across similar things... Sometimes I can't finish projects I was working on or even think about making new projects. What works for me is try to do something that is not related to my art like playing guitar, going for a walk, baking a cake... whatever that makes me feel relaxed. But when its about confidence you have to understand that its something that happens and "it's just a phase"...

I'd like to see your paintings, bet they're pretty cool !

Edit Delete

Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam

Sara P.

Reply #2: 18th July 2013 at 01:01

I myself like to find unusual ways to make wall art. I am always thinking wayyyy outside the box. Lately I made a dryad (tree spirit) tapestry on a coffee bean burlap bag that I cut in half. Do you like mythical creatures? I like to imagine what the creature would look like with my own spin on it, draw it out on paper, and even write about it. I make it real to me. Then I grab whatever flat surface or item I can find and start painting. After the construction lines are in I even discard my original sketch and let my hands work while I imagine the creature. I might be a little weird in my technique and material, but you have to have a touch of insanity to do really great work.