Ecsyle - Roy Lindauer: Creative slump

Creative slump

I haven’t put pen to paper in a long time. I want to, it’s killing me inside that I don’t. But I can’t. Every time I sit down I feel that I am forcing myself to do it and nothing comes out. It is all very frustrating. Nicole mentioned it could be my environment. I shrugged that off at first, but now that I have had a nights sleep I am entertaining the idea.

I am just not inspired at the moment to do anything. This is common and is perfectly normal, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is excruciatingly frustrating. Trying to force creativity doesn’t work. However forcing myself to draw and play might help to get back into things. I could just practice life drawing again, or do some still lifes. Something to simply exercise the muscles. The blank page of my sketchbook is intimidating. I want to squash that.

Some things that have helped in the past have been very simple. Getting out of the house to meet with some friends during the week. Going to the book store. Taking a walk. Simple things, but very refreshing. I should treat my inspiration like I do the actual art. Don’t force it, let it come naturally. It comes from not thinking about it. When I do eventually put some color on a page I am not thinking about the next line, I am thinking about everything else. What I need is to stop thinking so hard about it.

Update:
I have started re-reading ”Art & Fear” by David Bayles & Ted Orland. Fantastic book that puts the process of art making into perspective. I highly recommend it for anyone who creates art.