Most artists are familiar with the struggle of giving birth to a new idea. Still, when I talk to family and friends that are unfamiliar with the process, they think it is a straight forward path.
You know, like how everyone typically imagines how Isaac Newton came up with the theory of gravity by being bonked by an apple. Or, out of nowhere, the artist has this sudden lightbulb turning on and yelling, “Eureka!”
Far from Reality
The truth is that most of the time, producing a brilliant artwork or creative concept is more like… well, giving birth, if you ask me.
Now, I am a mother of two, so I know the gig of giving birth and let me tell you that it’s nothing like they portrait it on movies or TV. Giving birth is, typically, a long process, messy, has some setbacks, it’s emotional, and literally includes sweat, tears, and blood. And a lot of people are involved in this process.
The creative process is like that; you are hired to work on a project, meet with the director and production team to discuss preliminary ideas, and take notes. You go back to your studio to start working on ideas and designs.
And Bam! You got nothing… You are blank.
You do not freak out (yet) because you still got time. You think of some exercises that will help you get inspired and get the creative juices flowing. But after a few days, you STILL got nothing!
Sometimes you will get inspired right away and come up with something amazing (lucky you!). But more often than that, you might get a creative block, or how I like to call it “creative constipation.”
Just Keep Pushing!
Anxiety + Perfectionism is the perfect combination to give you a creative block. So, you walk in circles around your studio, browse the internet for ideas, and go for walks to relax… and still nothing.
I’ve been there, it is especially painful when you have a deadline, ouch! You can’t sleep, but you are not necessarily productive by staying up just staring at a blank paper. You decide to start doodling anything. You hope that doodle magically will transform into whatever you need that you don’t even know—still nothing.
After a few days of not sleeping enough, not eating enough, 58 drafts, and going through life in a “zombie mode” by only hyper-focusing on your creative project, somehow something eventually clicks.
Maybe it’s something someone said, or something you saw, who knows! But you got it!
And just like when you feel your first contraction, you rush to the hospital, you also run to your studio once you feel that first wave of inspiration. And in my family, everyone knows to not interrupt me from the moment I enter into my “zone of creativity” because I won’t stop until it’s all out of my head. Except for going to the bathroom and getting a light snack, I will be glued to my desk.
And just like in childbirth, once the labor phase is over, you can enjoy the benefit of admiring your piece of art and smile with pride and show it to the world!
Doubt is part of the Creative Process
Have you ever experienced creative block? Share your experience and tell us how did you overcome it.
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