How To Stay Inspired and Find New Ideas

Do you believe in Artist’s block or writers block? Have you even considered whether it is a thing? I’m not sure I believe in it myself. I think it is more of a ‘nudge’ or ‘hint’ than a block. There can be stages and flows of our creative journey and sometimes the flow stops, and we need to pivot; that perhaps it is our intuition nudging us to take a break, do things that inspire us, or maybe try something new. I believe that when we follow our intuition and do those things that we can then go back to our work with new eyes or else continue pursuing a new thing you may have discovered.

I am an artist that gets bored. After a year or so on the same subject I need to try new things and change it up occasionally. Do you relate? There have been many things over the years that have helped me ‘pivot’ and rejuvenate, and hopefully they will give you some ideas if you feel the nudge yourself. Here is a list of my top things that have helped me stay creative:

A Vision Board

A Vision board is a great tool that I learned when I joined my first art group in Vancouver. It’s like another name for a collage, but an intentional one. I used to do these in high school when I wanted to envision my outfits or my style for Prom. It helped me collect all the things I liked and gave me direction for what to choose based on those things I liked and helped me to dream!

So, when I came to the new art group to create an Vision Board I realized it was not my first rodeo! But this board was different: we were encouraged to think of the future and what we envisioned for ourselves. It was meant to contain images of what we hoped for, where we wanted to go, what we wanted our life to look like. You choose images that you are drawn to. When you look at the compilation of images that you chose, you can see a glimpse of your inner dreams, and even your own artistic ‘style’. You can take an objective view of the things that matter to you and what you should spend your time doing to live a life that inspires you all the time.

*Normally I use a large piece of paper and glue magazine or newspaper clippings, but you could use your notebook or journal too!

Inspiration Board

Another board that I have been encouraged to keep up with from other artist friends is an Inspiration Board. This is like the Vision Board but instead of choosing anything that draws you, it is meant for the Art that you are drawn to, and the things that have inspired your practice. This board helps you collect the images and artists that you like and are inspired by, perhaps even challenged by. I have even chosen images of trees and mountains because being in nature and hiking inspires my mountain paintings. These images help you re-align with your desire to create and can be an excellent source of inspiration when you are feeling drained or in need of a pivot. It can help to grease the wheels and keep them turning. I have also included my favorite quotes written on paper and memorabilia from trips I’ve taken.

*In the past I have had all these things pinned to a bulletin board above my desk (which I think is the most effective, and the most fun!) but recently have made a digital one through Canva to have on my desktop while on the go.

New Projects or Tools

Over the years when I have felt tired of painting or frustrated with a certain piece, I have found that I have needed to try a new project. As good as it is to keep trudging on and complete a project, sometimes it is best to take a break and go back to it with fresh eyes and some newfound inspiration to help you see your art from a new angle. By doing this I have also had to let go of the fear of losing my inspiration to paint all together, because the breaks I take can often last a couple of months. This last year I took a day to write poetry, something I had left a long time ago. I then found myself on a ‘writing streak’ and poems flowed out of me one after the other, for a couple of months! I still went back to painting but found myself writing more and more and was excited about this re-surfaced creative outlet.

Over the course of the year, I found myself learning the art of book design and compiled my poems into a book, which was so much fun and very energizing! I still painted here and there, but not nearly as much as before the new project. A month after the book was completed, I started doing ‘a painting a day’ project for 14 days while I was in quarantine in 2021. Suddenly, I was back into the flow of painting and found myself with even better paintings than I had done before. Months later I found myself doing mountain murals, and my creative journey was continuing to flow.

*New projects will look different for everyone. Whether it is for just one day or even for a full year or more, sometimes a new medium or technique is all our creative soul needs. Taking the risk of a ‘break’ can help our practice reach new heights and even help us discover ways of creating that speak to us more. My main advice would be: Don’t stop creating! When our projects become our work or source of income it can be important to have other projects that are just for fun or just for ‘us’, without the pressure of a sale or other eyes. Don’t starve your inner artist. Feed it with inspiration and do things that bring it joy! Play without pressure. Journal without a filter. And keep pivoting!

Artist Dates

One of my favorite art books is one call The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It is an amazing book for anyone who wishes to bring out their creativity or inner artist. I believe we are all creative in some way. Julia gives tips and challenges to try to unlock inspiration, one of these being the Artist Date:

“The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.”

https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/artists-dates/

I would say, once a week is nice and necessary, but do it as much as you can, as much as you need to! My favorite Artist Date is to take a walk through the trees, go on a hike, or walk by the river. Anything in nature! I have gone to a playground to swing on the swings or walked to my favorite café or bookstore. It was these dates that inspired many poems for me or gave me ideas of other things that I wanted to do. When you do this by yourself, it gives you the space to let your imagination flow.

*Is there anything you have been wanting to do but fear has held you back? Perhaps this is the sign you’ve been looking for.

My digital inspiration board!