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Creative! : Tips on Breaking
the Creative Block |
Tips on Breaking the Creative Block
By Mary Baker, Contemporary Realist Painter
"Morning Glory and Road"
Oil on Paper, 17" x 7.5"
Copyright Mary Baker 2004
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There's no question that creating anything is hard to do. Here are some tips
if you find yourself creatively blocked.
- Set a goal
Set a goal for yourself. For example, it could be to write one poem, one short
story, to paint two small paintings or
create three works of art. Don't make the goal too big.
- Set a time table
Give yourself a time when you want your goal to be completed. There
is nothing like a deadline to help you get things
done. You can tell people about the deadline or keep the information to
yourself. Don't make the time table too
unrealistic.
- One step at a time
Baby steps get you to the top of the mountain. If you manage to do
one small thing towards your creative goal each
day, you will be amazed at how fast you can accomplish it. Ask yourself
what is the next step and then do it.
- If it isn't working stop
If you are working on a creative project and you don't know what
to do, stop and do something else; it can be
anything — the laundry, mow the lawn, work in the garage. When you
come back to the project, you will probably have
the answer to what was blocking you.
- Progress not perfection
If you don't expect to create the perfect project, it will take off
a lot of pressure. It will make it easier to accomplish
what you have set out to do and the process will be a lot more enjoyable.
- Easy does it
If you don't create exactly what you've set out to do, don't worry.
Ask yourself the question "how important is it?". It
will help you get things in perspective.
- Don't worry about the other guy
Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Keep the focus on yourself
and what you want to accomplish, it will help
you to go forward instead of getting stuck.
- Just do it
Don't talk about it, don't worry about it — just do it, one
step at a time until whatever you have set out to do gets done. •
© Mary Baker 2005
About the Author
Mary Baker is a professional contemporary realist painter whose studio is
in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This New England city, north of Boston,
with its gardens, flowers, landscape, historic neighborhoods and antique
houses, has been the inspiration for the artist's realistic oil paintings.
Mary's art work has passion, depth and beauty, capturing moments in time
that many people pass by. The artist is known for her crisp realistic style.
Mary has shown in New York galleries and is currently represented in
Newburyport by the Walsingham Gallery. You can see Mary's paintings and
read her commentary on the creative process, creative journey and creative
space, as well as tips on breaking the creative block on her Web site, MaryBakerArt.com.
04/10/05
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