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Overcoming Artist's Block
By Gail Miller
Once you are ready to start working again you will know it
instinctively. All artists go through periods of 'creative block' — it's
normal, but after one such episode there are ways of stimulating
ideas and getting the creative juices flowing again.
Visit your local library and take out books that cover materials,
techniques and subjects that are not familiar to you. If you are a
watercolour artist, why not try oils for once? If you paint large
acrylic abstracts, would it be possible to try soft pastels on a
smaller scale? What results could you achieve by doing something
completely different to what you're used to?
What about trying collage or mixed media work? Take photos of
your neighbourhood, family or friends. Local places of interest,
the countryside, the seashore, the city. Manipulate your photos
on your PC and print out as digital art. Use the images, either natural
or manipulated as collage pieces. It is so therapeutic cutting pieces
and sticking them down. Use a range of materials to finish your work.
Instead of going straight back to paintings or drawings on normal scale,
why not create some miniature pieces? How about greetings cards?
White card 'blanks' are very easy to source. How delighted family,
friends or customers would be to own an unique hand painted card.
Try drawing for once instead of painting, if that's your usual medium,
or
vice versa. Fill a sketchbook with small quick sketches. You could
even
time yourself. Three or five minutes maximum for each sketch.
When you're ready to go full size again, try loosening up your
technique, by again setting a time limit for each piece of work
you create. With a deadline to meet, you will speed up and loosen
up. Try not to be precious with your art. Be quick and bold — see
what happens.
Paint upside down. Start a new piece, then half way through turn
the paper or canvas round 90 degrees. This is a great technique for abstracts.
Use new colours — let them flow into each other. Splatter colours
onto
the wet surface. If you like, you could turn the work once more
to finish.
What a great way to create 'happy accidents'.
Paint or draw to music. Use only your emotion to make marks
on the surface of your support. Play your favourite rock, pop or classical
music,
let the melodies and rhythms wash over you, influencing how your
artwork
evolves. I often paint to 'Smile' by Brian Wilson .... and boy
do I get
inspired!
What about painting left handed if you're a right-hander and
vice versa. Trying to do a representational work with your weakest side will
produce
art that is still yours, but will have a completely different edge
to it.
Challenging and great fun to do ... if you have the discipline!
Finally, once you get back into full flow, remind yourself of
all the artwork
you have created successfully. How appreciated you are by your
customers.
Read their testimonials. Feel that glow again, when you realise
that your
creativity block was only temporary and that there are fans out
there just
waiting for you to release some wonderful new artwork into the
arena. •
About the Author
Gail Miller is a professional artist whose
artwork is a visual feast of colour and fun.
Her fascination with bold colours and fluid,
expressive shapes and line are evident in
funky abstracts, sinuous nudes, vibrant still
life paintings and lively townscapes.
Visit her website at www.gailmiller.com.
02/27/05
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