Creativity

6 Ways to Spark Your Creativity

Inspiration

If you’ve ever had to be creative for work or been asked to be creative on-demand, thrn you know how frustrating it can  be when – despite your best efforts – inspiration just doesn’t strike. As a communications professional and practicing artist, I know this struggle well. But through my own personal struggles, I’ve discovered a few sure-fire ways to help get through even the toughest creative block and get those mental juices flowing yet again.

Whether you’re a creative professional trying to get a project done or perhaps someone who identifies as not being very creative but wants to be, use these six tips for inspiration.

Learn more about yourself. Ask yourself – do you feel more motivated in the morning or right before bed? Do your best ideas come to you when you have time to relax or when you’re busy thinking about homework or everything you have to do at work tomorrow? Sometimes the key to creativity is mindfulness. Think back on your most creative instances and look for some common denominators. Keeping a journal is a great way to identify these trends!

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Listen to music. Listening to music can be a relaxing way to get out of your own head. Try a new playlist on Spotify and see where the music takes you.

Tap into other creative outlets. If you’re a painter, try gardening. If you’re a singer, try baking. Trying new creative things or using less-utilized creative talents can help get your creative juices flowing again. For example, I love making art but I also love to sing and play piano. Whenever I am feeling less motivated in one of those areas, I lean on the others to keep myself inspired.

Admire the work of others. Do your research and look at what other leaders in your artistic field are doing. What’s amazing about creative ventures is that no two people approach things the same way. Everyone has gone through different training, taken a unique path and possesses their own sense of style. I love getting on Pinterest to check out what other artists are working on and flipping through art book from my local library. I also love visiting art galleries and museums. One of my favorite inspirational places is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Spend time outside. Being outside puts your mind at ease and is proven to reduce stress which, for many, is key to being creative. I’m a big believer in hygge, which is the Danish concept of living life simply to find joy. To live a hygge lifestyle is important to always make time to be outside.

Give yourself a break! Modern life is all about being busy, all the time. But it’s OK to take a break once in a while. In fact, it’s more than OK; it’s necessary! Spend some time away from the project or hobby that is causing your creative block. You might be surprised what comes to you after taking a break away from it to have some fun (or take a nap).

Follow these six simple tips and you’ll cure your creative block in no time!

Sketch for Inspiration, Not Perfection

Art

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time drawing with and talking about Prismacolor Premier pencils. While I’ve already shown you my latest hedgehog drawing, today I’m featuring a 45 minute sketch that actually pre-dated the hog.

I titled the piece “Expelling Evil” and, admittedly, it is way outside my usual subject matter and artistic vibe. It all started with a silhouette of a woman’s face, before then transitioning into experimenting with the wide range of colors featured in the pencil set. (Hence the purple-blue hair and bright red lips.)

I’m sharing this drawing not because it is one of my greatest works, but because it is a sketch in the purest sense of the word. While drawing, I reached a point where I gave up thinking about the piece and instead let my hand just draw.

As an artist, it is so, so, SO important to avoid getting caught up in your own mind. To do so would be to become crippled with over-thinking and not allow for your artistic instincts to reveal new perspectives of your creative mind.

Even if a drawing doesn’t turn out quite how you imagined it, there is so much value to be gained from trying new things. Much more value than if you were to draw the same thing over and over agin perfectly.

So get out there and drawing something new. Draw something ugly. Draw to discover a new side of yourself and to re-discover your inspiration.

HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE IN 2017

Inspiration

New year, new you right? At this point we’re all focusing on the resolutions we made last weekend, promising ourselves that this year would be our year and that the next 365 days will bring greater satisfaction and contentment than any other year has ever seen before!

…Perhaps a wee bit dramatic but, then again, our new year’s resolutions typically are, right?

This year add another, and totally obtainable, resolution to your list by resolving to be more creative! While this can easily be reached in a number of different ways, check out my suggestions below if you are seeking a little inspiration:

Get inspired! One of the most important steps in being creative is being cognizant of where your inspiration comes from. Whether it’s books, television, poetry, film, spending time with friends and family or whathaveyou, embrace that which inspires you!

For example, I gifted myself some inspiration post-Christmas with this fabulous t-shirt:

 

Invest in new supplies. Everyone likes new toys. By treating yourself to some new art supplies or kitchen appliances, you’re much more likely to get into your workspace and actually create.

 

Consider a daily calendar. Last year I made use of the “Craft-a-Day 2016 Day-to-Day Calendar: 366 Simple Handmade Projects” desk calendar, which featured a new craft every day. While I never actually completed the crafts presented in the calendar, having it sit on my desk was a great reminder to be creative on a daily basis, and provided me with some fun ideas for future art pieces and crafts.

Try new things. If you like to cook, try new recipes. If you’re an artist, try new media. If you’re all out of inspiration, step outside of your comfort zone and make it a priority to experience new things. Go see a play, experience nature in a new way, try taking a creative course or learn a new skill.

Keep an idea book. Before there was Pinterest, many creatives would (and many still do) keep idea books. Invest in a sketchbook or notebook in which you can write, draw, paint, collage and paste all of your musings and inspirations. It’s so easy to get caught up in your mind and allow the intimidation of a blank page hold you back. Break that barrier by letting loose in your idea book!

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So while I hope you are able to stick to all of your 2017 resolutions, I especially hope that you find this year to be one filled with copious amounts of inspiration and creativity. Cheers to perpetual creation!

Feature photo retrieved from https://unsplash.com/search/creativity?photo=bYOi200uQ6w