Whether your creative passion is painting, writing, music, digital content creation (or one of the numerous other creative endeavors), the internal pressure to only create your best can grow until it becomes the thing all creatives fear the most: the dreaded creative block.

And because we creatives take so much pride in our work, a creative block is beyond frustrating. It can be personally devastating. Even worse, a creative block can become a tricky cycle, messing up for your creative flow for days, weeks, months, or even years….IF you let it.

So don’t let it!

If you are a creative person, you will inevitably face a creative block at some point. It’s simply the nature of the beast. The trick is to not let it stop you from creating– and to get back into a creative flow as soon as you can.

At Sparketh, we’re all about nourishing creativity for kids, teens (and adults too). Every member on our team is a creative, and we get how frustrating it can be to find yourself creatively stumped. We also know how important it is to not let those moments get you down for long.  If you’ve recently had a creative block interrupt your flow, here are 10 tips to help you get it back!

1. Practice Everyday

This tip is #1 because it is literally the #1 most important thing you can do to get back into a creative flow. Because guess what? When you’re not feeling creative, it’s even more important to keep creating! And here’s a little secret: once you start creating everyday, inspiration will begin to make more regular appearances, too. Practice is fertile ground for creativity.

Artists and writers often refer to the creative Muses of Greek mythology, sometimes even giving procrastination an excuse by saying things like: “I’m just waiting for the Muse to strike.” The truth is that we give “the Muse” a pretty poor environment when we’re not working our creative muscles regularly. When you make a habit of practicing everyday, you’re pretty much telling your personal (theoretical) “creative Muse” that your door is open to inspiration.

The other important aspect of this tip is to be realistic in your daily goals. Don’t say, “I’m going to paint/write/practice the violin for 3 hours a day,” if you know that’s not something you can realistically work into your life. Start smaller. Keep it doable. Give yourself no excuses for not following through. Practice everyday.

2. Get inspired by others’ work.

In an interview for our Website, Sparketh‘s co-founder and CEO, Dwayne Walker said: “Creativity is always an extension of you. You can only create as far as you know, which is why it’s always important to keep learning.”

One of the best ways to be more creative (and get your creative flow back) is to dive deeply into learning and studyng the work of other creatives! If you’re a writer, read as much great writing as possible. If you’re a visual artist, go spend some time at your local museum, check out some of your favorite artists’ work in a book or online,  or take an online art class to learn something new in a hands-on way. You’ll almost always find that it’s natural to get inspired when you’re learning and studying others’ work.

3. Limit Yourself

“Limiting” or “narrowing in” on specific subjects, techniques, or work spaces can prompt creativity and increase your creative focus. Sparketh art instructor (and TikTok content creator) Amy contributed this clever tip. Speaking especially to visual artists, she demonstrated how (for example) limiting the subject that you are drawing or painting can allow you to try approaching the same subject in a variety of styles and techniques. If you find a subject/technique combination that speaks to you, you can “limit” yourself even further by trying some variations within those confines. You can apply this principal to whatever your creative interests are!

You can also limit your surroundings by going somewhere specifically for the purpose of creating, or limit your time by utilizing timers and setting deadlines. Setting these kinds of limits with your daily creative time can help you get into a creative flow more easily, no matter what your creative passive is. For more on this tip, you can watch Amy’s video, here.

4. Create gifts for the people in your life.

Another strategy that can motivate you to create is to find a simple, low-pressure creative project that you can do quickly, repeat often, and give away. This can work well alongside the “narrowing in/limiting yourself” technique, while also giving you external motivation to create.

For example, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, I got into the habit of making literary-themed watercolor bookmarks for my friends and sending them off in the mail. Each one only took me about 20 minutes. Every time I set out to make one, I automatically had a specific prompt: “What is that person’s favorite book?” I also had the fulfilling satisfaction that comes from making something for a friend. A lot of people found ways to get creative making things for people they cared about during this time of isolation. Some people baked for others, or made friendship bracelets, participated in TikTok dance challenges with friends, or played songs for people on Zoom.

I’m not saying we need to be in a pandemic/isolation to do this. However, I think that this time forced people to get creative about connecting, which resulted in a creative surge for many. There’s something very motivating and satisfying about using your creative interests to show someone you care.

5. Try a different setting.

Are you a morning person or a night person? Do background noises help you focus, or are they a distraction? Do you need privacy to be creative, or do you work best surrounded by other people?

We are all so different when it comes to finding the optimum creative environment. When you are trying to get into the habit of practicing creativity everyday, experiment with some different background settings. You may want to try getting up early, when everything is quiet. Or maybe working in a busy living room with the TV on makes you feel less pressured and more comfortable. Maybe it helps you out to go somewhere different- like a park or bookstore- to be creative (like in tip #3).

Sometimes, I’ve even found that sitting somewhere random in my house can help me be more productive (like on the floor of a room I’m not in very often). Play around with some different times and spaces and see what works for you to get you in a creative mindset.

7. Keep a journal or a sketch diary.

A great way to get in touch with your creative mind is to let it talk to you! Keeping a daily journal or sketch diary is an awesome, low-pressure way to get in touch with thoughts that you might not even be aware of.  This is also a daily practice (*cough* tip #1) that is totally doable.

You’ll find that once you get in the habit of observing and documenting via a written or sketch journal, inspiration seems to come from everywhere. Your brain will naturally begin to start looking at things from a creative perspective. A documentation of things that stick out to you can also reveal your hidden interests and prompt new ideas!

8. Make a plan and tell others.

We all do better with deadlines and accountability.  Being creative can often be a solo activity, so you end up being responsible for motivating yourself. This is one of the reasons that it can be so hard to get back into a creative flow after experiencing creative roadblocks.

When you don’t feel very creative, you may tell yourself “you’ll do it tomorrow.” Those “tomorrows” can add up. If this is something you’ve experienced, then this tip is for you: make a specific plan for your creative goals, and tell others about it.

Technology can help, too! Some people create digital calendars that will send them bossy e-mails everyday to remind them of their goals. Many creatives share their general and specific creative goals with friends on social media, alongside daily updates. Some people even livestream their worktime to stay focused and accountable.

However you approach it, making a plan and asking for accountability can help you stick to your daily practices and ultimately get into a better creative flow.

9. Give yourself permission to create something bad.

When you feel creatively empty, remind yourself that, “something is better than nothing.”  So often, the creative roadblocks that we face comes directly from the pressure that we create for ourselves. If you’re lacking inspiration, you may feel terrified of creating something bad, or of being faced with the feeling that you’ve lost your skills.

However, the truth is that something – anything -you create is going to be better than nothing! Remind yourself of some of the other tips we’ve already covered, and how creative practice can be a creative prompt in and of itself (even if what you create isn’t that good!)

The poet Maya Angelou, once said: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Use whatever little creativity you have inside of you (even when it doesn’t feel like much.) It will never be wasted. The best creatives have to create a lot of mediocre stuff before they come up with masterpieces, so give yourself permission to create something bad! You’re in good company.

10. Surround yourself with fellow creatives.

I mentioned that creativity can often feel like a solo activity. Many times -in practice- it is. However, creativity is also something brings people together.  We’re always creating with the intention of sharing with, and communicating with others. Connection, therefore, is really at the heart of creativity.

Surrounding yourself with other creatives (in your same area of interest, or otherwise) can be an important source of inspiration, accountability, and community. A great way to start connecting with other creatives is simply to tell others that you are one. Talk about your art, or your writing, or music (whatever it is!) And ask other people if they like to create, too! I bet you’ll find, pretty quickly, that you’re not alone. Not only is that a  good feeling, but it’s also a constant source of creative inspiration and encouragement.

If you’ve been struggling with any creative roadblocks lately, we hope that these 10 tips helped you out! At Sparketh, our desire is to nourish creativity and create an online space where kids and teens can be their most creative selves. We think that being creative is one of the most important things you can be, and we’re here to help you in your creative journey. 

The post Get Your Creative Flow Back with These 10 Tips! appeared first on Sparketh.

This week, we’re exploring current art topics that all touch on a similar question: “Why do artists create?”

We’ll check out one artist whose dream in live is to live in a home made of his own art, and another who views art as a way to mediate experiences. In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we’ll explore why creating art is good for your mental health. You’ll get some viral tips to help you in your art method! 

Art News: Life in House of Doodles

At some point in our childhoods, we’ve all probably doodled on the walls. Most of us got in pretty big trouble for it, too. However, Sam Cox (known professionally as “Mr. Doodle”) was always encouraged to draw on the walls of his room. Today, as an adult, he’s taken it to a whole new level.

Mr. Doodle, a professional artist whose work has sold for up to almost $1 million per piece, has now officially completed what he calls his “best piece of work.” The work? His house!

Over two years of effort, the artist has covered his entire $1.5 million home in doodles. Not just the walls, either.  Mr. Doodle has also covered bedding, appliances, and even the toilet in his signature, black-and-white doodles. He also painted his stove, which he admits may have rendered it un-useable. (I guess he and Mrs. Doodle will be eating out a lot.)

When talking to the host of BBC Breakfast, the artist describes being able to live in a home made of his art as “a sort of paradise for me.”

Why He Creates/Doodles: 

Cox told BBC News that doodling is “almost like an out-of-body experience. You’re just indulging yourself in this free-flowing state of creation.”

Mr. Doodle gives us some interesting insight on reasons we create. Perhaps it comes partially from a desire to meditate, to flow with a particular state of mind, or to create a world of our own imagining (literally, in his case.)

Check out the video below to see this artist’s completed home!

Inspirational: Creating for Your Mental Health

Monday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day. Did you know that regularly practicing creativity is a vital part of maintaining good mental health? Research shows that art, in particular, supports mental health by:

Viral Art: Game-Changing Art Hacks

As you create art this week, check out today’s featured viral art video from TikTok! This short video has some mind-blowing art hacks that will save you time, help you try new techniques, and stretch the life of some your favorite art supplies.

@sparketh

Legitimately learned about the watercolor hack yesterday… 25 years old #artistsoftiktok #arthacks #arttips #arttricks #didyouknow #myart #arttok

♬ Okinawa Pier – FloFilz

Have you tried any of these tips at home? Which is your favorite? 

You Can Also Watch it Here!

Art News: “Art on Video” Series Dives Deep.

“What is art to the artist?” As we’re touching on today, there can be a variety of answers to that question.

This is a topic that is also currently being explored as part of a new documentary series, entitled “Art on Video.” This series is a collaboration between ArtNetNews and Art 21.  It’s fascinating because it dives deep into the thought processes of current, headlining artists.

In the series, each artist gets the chance to describe their inspirations in their own words. The most recent episode follows photographer  Diane Severin Nguyen. 

Nguyen’s art is more than photography, though. Her creations also involve a unique type of performance art. In her work, Nguyen mixes the natural and unnatural, transforms substances into unrecognizable objects, and creates photos that capture fleeting, transfigurative moments (like lighting something on fire).

Art 21 writes: “Another kind of creative alchemy happens in her studio where the artist choreographs ephemeral processes like burning and everyday substances like Styrofoam to make her enigmatic photographs. Intentionally obscuring the identity of her subject materials is core to the artist’s larger project. ”

Why She Creates: As an artist, Nguyen says she feels it is her responsibility to take in the “psychic garbage of the world.”  She also takes concepts that have social value and reduces them back into physical materials that can be composed and photographed. Primarily, this artist seems to view the creative process as an important type of mediation between the physical world and our experience of it.

I am looking forward to keeping up with this new series and discovering what makes different types of artists tick. Will you watch? 

Check it out, here!

Inspirational: You Create Your Art Because Only YOU Can.

“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”- Albert Einstein

I love these words from Albert Einstein, who definitely knew the value of creativity! Whatever reason you create art, it’s likely to be just as unique as the special perspective you bring to the world. I hope you remember that as you go about your week, and pinpoint your own unique reason for being creative.

See you back here next week for next Friday’s edition of Art Club!

The post Reasons We Create- Sparketh Art Club appeared first on Sparketh.