I want to squash an untrue belief that most people have about me–as an artist, I always feel creative.
I am human and therefore move through the same cycles of energy (Creation, stagnation, destruction) as everyone else. My cycles just happen to move faster because I constantly am practicing this, I know what to look for that signals I’m low on creative energy, and I have the tools I need to get that creative spark again (most of the time). If it doesn’t come right away, I know that this too will pass and my spark will find her way to me. I just need to be ready for her when she comes.
Finding Your Spark
Awhile back, I wrote about how I lost my libido (creative energy) and was running on empty. For me, this looks like having a shorter fuse, being exhausted, not having any creative ideas or motivation to do creative things (even though it’s my livelihood!)
This is a normal thing to happen, and in our “do it all and do it right now” society, its more normal than it should be. That article gets into the nitty gritty of what I do in order to find creativity again but I’ll list out a few ideas here too.
Change my perspective
Literally go somewhere new, work from a new space, drive around, find a new park to walk at, go to a different library in my network. Doesn’t need to be for long, just needs to be new to get me seeing thing with new eyes.
Rest
My body is clearly telling me that I’m doing too much. I consider rest to be anything that doesn’t involve a checklist and allows me to day dream. So while a Netflix binge sounds great, since I have limited time between baby duties and life’s needs, I need to do something away from screens.
Yoga and Meditation
To go with the “away from screens” theme, these two options are also great in providing rest and igniting my creative spark. Movement is an amazing way to get energy flowing in my body and unblocked, this includes creative energy. If my energy levels are so low, I’ll listen to a guided meditation or Yoga Nidra class on Insight Timer (a free app!)
You can also check out the Modern Magic Podcast where I share short guided mindfulness practices to do with your Modern Magic art (or any art) right in front of you. They guide you through the journey of experiencing art, not just looking at it and counts towards a creative practice and gives you the health benefits too.
Connect with Community
As an extrovert, this always lights my fire. And connection with community is part of creative energy (They come from the same source). When I’m feeling like I’m on empty actually meeting up with people and having deep connection inspires me and makes me want to create something. For those of you who identify as introverts, this might not work for you but could work if you are meeting up with someone 1:1 and/or the people you are meeting up with are low energy people.
My Favorite Creative Tools
Once I feel motivated and ready to create, I need to have my creative tools handy and ready to go. My painting desk is always set up to get started. When I’m at my best, I’ll have my paper prepped, water, brushes and palette cleaned so that I can just get started. (Given, this happens maybe once a week, but I’m working on it).
I’ve also chosen a medium that’s easy to pick up and leave quickly. Watercolors (or gouache) don’t require me to wash brushes every time I have to stop. I can let the paint dry out and still activate it again when I return later. This is especially helpful since I never truly know how long nap time will last.
As a Full Time Artist, I usually have projects on my to-do list. But if energy is really low and I’m needing to help that little spark turn into a flame, I like to have a list of things to play with. This might mean I change my medium or simply do sketchbook work for something that doesn’t have to do with a commission, an upcoming collection, or will probably ever make me money. It’s experimenting, it’s storytelling, it’s simply fun. I have an entire journal dedicated to this.
Many of you who read these weekly articles don’t claim to be artists (even though you are!) and so you might not have all the tools you need to keep a practice. Below are the suggestions I make to my students after every workshop. These are great tools that are affordable and allow you play without any need to be perfect! (Remember: You don’t have to show your work to anyone. This is for YOU. Consider it your spiritual time, your self-care time, or a journal that you wouldn’t let anyone read).
- I use these mini sketchbooks for watercolor/gouache at the suggestion of another artist and I’m love them. I have one dedicated to different themes of art (a random sketchbook for anything, one for family paintings only, and one dedicated to our casa painting the birds, flowers, etc that appear in our yard with notes one what seasons they’re there.)
- A good intro level set of watercolor paintbrushes or these ones that have different shapes and sizes if you want to experiment a little.
- This is also the exact paper I use for my workshops. Use masking tape to tape it down to a board/piece of wood/ table and play on something a little bigger than the suggested sketchbook.
- This is a starter set of gouache
- The first time I ever started painting with gouache was with this book. I’m a big fan!
- For those who might not have the time or space to commit to gouache, paint by numbers for adults have come a long way and are pretty great. There are also amazing coloring books, and reverse coloring books (you draw the lines).
- If these don’t entice you, know that creativity is defined as turning nothing into something. This could include: Cooking/baking, writing, reading poetry, participating in the arts (Looking, experiencing or doing), sewing, problem solving, designing layouts or social posts. A creative outlet should simply bring joy, light you up, and energize you. If it puts you in the zone it counts-you can make more from it or not. THERE ARE NO RULES!
- You can also head to your local art supply store or somewhere like Michaels and walk around to see what sparks your interest. Knitting, sculpting with oven clay, beadwork, creating on a loom, etc. are all things they have kits for and can get you started.
Spark Isn’t Looking For Perfection
I like to bring this up as often as possible, because I know I need the reminder (And every woman I’ve ever worked with needed it too!) Being creative doesn’t mean being perfect–actually, it’s the exact opposite. The whole point to creativity is to try new things, experiment, and play. With Instagram and Pinterest it’s easy to believe that we have to make something worth sharing, but my goal (and hopefully yours too) isn’t to show off or having something to sell (although, I do need some things to sell eventually, because, you know, life is expensive). My creative practice is about expression, translating my spiritual practice, it’s about libido, it’s about being who I was made to be–a creative.
In any monotheistic religion and even those with many gods, you’ll find that the first act in every origination story is the act of creation. Life was breathed into the world, into humanity. So when I start to believe that I might not be creative enough, or I’m missing something that other artists have, I come back to the very first moment of time and remember, I was a creative act. Creativity is built into me. And the same is true for you too!
Leave perfection at the door, find time to rest, get curious, and ignite that spark. And then tend to the fire. Feed that spark of yours and let her grow into something beautiful and wild. You never know what you might create!
Join Me For A Workshop
Not sure where to start when it comes to igniting you spark? There is no better way to get started than in a Modern Magic painting workshop inside a greenhouse at Yetman Farms or in a 100+ year old schoolhouse in Boulder. You’ll get a new perspective, connect with amazing women, and embrace the title of artist, as we paint something for the season. These workshops are an invitation to leave perfection at the door, try something new, and find your creative spark.