What Do You Do When You're Stuck In A Creative Slump?

Hi Danielle

I think I may have answered a similar question, but here goes a reboot.

Creative slumps happen. For me, sometimes when I've been really busy with artwork, I think my brain goes into an overload mode, and it has to "rest". This resting period I call a slump, but it actually just gives my creativity a rest. So you might think of a slump as a time to recharge your creative batteries. That's my theory anyways.

Sometimes slumps happen for other reasons.....relationship issues, bills, non-art deadlines that are due, etc. When everyday issues begin to get stressful, slumps can also happen. If you can take care of the everyday stuff on your own, do so. If you your everyday issues are bigger than you can handle on your own, get some professional help. Most colleges have medical centers with people (therapists) you can talk to about your issues. This is not a big deal.

For me to get out of my slump, I often try the following strategies:

------Look at old artwork you felt unsure about or that you have "rejected"; decide what you like (there has to be something...) and what you think needs to be worked on. Either work back into the piece or try it again. Having a fresh perspective of a few months or a few years can really make a difference and it can be very stimulating. Work on it with the idea that it will go back into the portfolio--no one has to see it.

-----Switch up your art materials, if you've been painting with watercolor, try acrylic paints, or try doing your art with color pencil, or fine line markers, or some kind of mixed media.

-----Look at the work of other artists you like or don't like; go on Instagram, Pinterest, or google your favorite artists. Go to a gallery or museum, or go to a museum website. National Gallery of Art in Washington DC has a really good one.

------If all else fails, doodle. Get a sketch book and start drawing whatever. Make yourself fill at least 2 pages every day. You might begin to see a pattern of what your future artwork might be.

----Finally, and I have saved the best for last, get some advice from Sister Corita Kent. She was a nun, an artist, and a teacher in Los Angeles during the 1960's. She did wonderful artwork with words and images. She made her "Rules of Making Art" , and I have a version of them in my studio, and they are really good. So google "Sister Cortia's Rules of Making Art." I think it may be the best advice I've given you.

Best wishes on your college journey!

Creative Slumps can be the worst! I struggled with them through college, mostly because I went to a Liberal Arts College not a straight design school so it was hard to balance the loads of reading and studying plus the hours of time I needed to finish my projects. I do however feel like it was very important and helpful to earn a BS in Apparel Design because I gained so many more skills along the way. Once you're in your career, at least from my experience this can still happen frequently. Work isn't just throwing yourself into design 24/7 there are logistics that your boss, no matter how large or small your company is, will want you to take care of. Thats to time I have matured and have been able to understand why I fall into these slumps and have made a list of things to do that revive my attitude about design, creating, and work in general. For me it's 1. Have I had alone time to reflect with gratitude about my life? 2. When is the last time I did something thoughtful for someone else? 3. When is the last time I did yoga or went for a hike? 4. Go to some place that inspires me (this normally involves a day trip to a national park, museum, or one of my favorite cities) - after I do all of these things or even just the first one I'm normally ready to dive back into my work. A quick fix is to follow artists and designers you'd like to see yourself as in the next x amount of years! This is a huge motivator for me, I follow a lot of nonprofit creative groups/people because they merge two things I'm very passionate about - art and helping others.