Best Exercises to Overcome a Creative Block

Monica Cliff July 1, 2020

Creativity block is like the flu; you will get it at some point and it is an inconvenience. And it will take some days before you become productive again. So, use downtime wisely and remember to take a deep breath.

I don’t know any artist that never has experienced a creative block, so, if you are going through this phase, don’t panic and remember that this too shall pass.

But what do you do in the meantime?

Experts from Artsy recommend the following exercises. But do they work?

Clean Your Studio. I have done it, and it works for me. However, I would not take this approach if I am on a tight deadline.
Copy and Create. Yes, I have done this, and it’s amazing how you start trying to recreate someone’s technique, and soon enough, you start adding your style. This exercise has worked for me.
Try a Different Medium. I am lucky that I get to play with all kinds of mediums. Switching mediums has worked for me, too, including changing tasks. This is especially relevant when I am making costumes because, at some point, the process becomes too repetitive and dull.
Start a New Project. It can help, but I would not recommend using this strategy if you are running out of time.
Focus on the Process. To me, remembering this is crucial to keep my sanity and my heart on my work. I know there are many opinions on what is more valuable if the trip or the destination. I value the journey a lot more.

But what if you get a creative block and you are on a deadline?

I understand your pain, I’ve been there. I have found that displaying any inspirational images and early sketches around your studio helps keep your mind in the game.

When I work on a project, I like to immerse myself in that world, so displaying my work visually around the walls helps me.

Sometimes I get creative block because I am too excited about a project, so working with music helps me bring down my emotions and keep a good mood.

Anxiety is a significant factor in getting a creative block, knowing yourself, and what triggers your stress is essential. What has worked for me is to organize my time first, so I don’t have the uncomfortable feeling that I forget something. Second, I make lists of the tasks I need to accomplish and assign them a due date. Third, I breakdown my to-do list in baby steps. When I check off my tasks, I get a feeling of accomplishment. The lists are displayed in my office as a visual reminder of how far I have come.

One unusual idea I have practiced is to take a child’s drawing and “complete it or recreate it.” Not because you will make the kid’s drawing better (because kids have unique creativity that is unmatched). But because re-tracing their lines might help you reset your creative levels, and in the meantime, you will take your mind off your project.

Original drawing by my daughter, Allison, at age 4.

My version of her drawing.

Finally, for my last advice, plan before you get a creative block. I like to collect ideas when I am feeling creative, write them down on a journal, post-it notes, collect pictures in a folder, or use Pinterest. And when you are thirsty for new ideas, go back to this collection you have been accumulating. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years, and it has worked for me.

What do you do when you get a creative block? Share with us what has worked for you!

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Female Artists That Have Influenced My Art

Monica Cliff July 1, 2020

Do you remember your early art influences?

I remember very well the first time I saw an art piece and immediately felt like I belonged with that artist. It is almost like feeling at home when you see someone's artwork.

This is how I felt when I first saw the artwork of these talented women artists.

These women have inspired me and moved me with their art.

Julie Taymor

I think I was about 17 years old when I first came across a movie on TV, Fool's Fire, I could not stop watching. Each scene was a festival of exciting and creative images, it was amazing! This movie was directed by Julie Taymor and was aired in 1992. Unfortunately, it is a hard movie to find if you can find a copy at all.

After seeing this movie, I did something that I never did before as a kid, I wanted to know who made it.

Once I knew who directed it, I became a fan and started following Julie's career, she never disappointed me.

Her following works like the Broadway Musical The Lion King brought tears to my eyes, that performance is perfection. She has directed so many opera performances and movies, and each one is uniquely brilliant.

“Innovation is using your imagination to go to places that people haven’t visited before. It’s really taking something that might be familiar and then transforming it. A lot of it has to do with transformation and creating a new taste, a new feel, a new experience.”

— Julie Taymor

Remedios Varo

The first time I saw a painting by Remedios Varo, I was in college, and I could not stop looking at it. There was an exposition at the Art Museum in Mexico, and each painting was a treat to my eyes. Remedios Varo is a Spanish-Mexican artist that developed her unique surrealistic style in the 1940s.

My favorite painting is "Woman Leaving the Psychoanalyst." However, each one of her paintings is a fantastic story!

One fun fact about Remedios is that she supported herself through commercial illustration.

“Everything that she did or undid, however disparate that looked to an observer with prejudices, was done for what should be done, that is, with courage and without fear of consequences.”

— Remedios Varo

Pictures with original sources from left to right, Frida Kahlo, Julie Taymor, Remedios Varo, and Marjene Satrapi.

Frida Kahlo

I know what you are thinking, everyone loves Frida! Yes, however, I did not always appreciate her art. I came to understand Frida's artwork when I was in my 20's. Her artwork is so emotional, so colorful, and so full of suffering. I visited Frida's museum in Coyoacan when I was in college, and I had mixed feelings.

For a long time, I hated that she had to be living in the shadow of Diego Rivera, I also hated that he made her suffer so much, and she stayed. But now, I think she did the best she could with the tools she had at her time, and I admire her strength.

Even though her work was not as valued back then, like the rest of the muralists in Mexico; she did not stop painting. Frida's paintings are a reflection of her emotions and her heart. My favorite painting is "The Two Fridas."

Fun Fact, Julie Taymor made an exquisite movie about Frida Kahlo's life.

“My painting carries with it the message of pain.”

— Frida Kahlo

Marjane Satrapi

I found out about Marjane because I read her autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis, and I loved it! The graphic novel depicts her childhood up to her early adult years in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution.

The title Persepolis is a reference to the ancient capital of the Persian Empire. The book also became an animated movie. Persepolis is a captivating story, and the illustrations are beautiful.

“Culture and education are the lethal weapons against all kinds of fundamentalism.”

— Marjene Satrapi

Do you have a favorite female artist? Share a link with her website so we can learn more about her work!

5 Ways Artists Can Channel their Creativity During Difficult Times

Monica Cliff June 29, 2020

It's no secret that the year 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for many of us. Most areas and industries have been affected in some way during this year.

Let's Look Back

The year started with a potential threat of World War III, followed by the US presidential impeachment. During February, the world suddenly stopped due to the COVID-19 ongoing pandemic, which led to unprecedented unemployment and the economic recession. Lastly, on May 25th, we witnessed the unfortunate death of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police officers, which sparked protests around the world.

Too many things are happening so quickly and intensely that it is hard to digest so much information. I personally have struggled to keep my mental health in check this year.

As a way to deal with my anxiety productively, I decided to search for ways to use my time and skills to help my community during these difficult times and channel my creativity.

Here are 5 ideas that artists can use to channel their creativity and help their communities.

1. Create Digital Posts for social media that inspire change and action in others.

Challenging times can bring the best or the worst in us, as human beings. Staying hopeful during difficult times is not easy. Still, as artists, we can see the beauty in the ugly, more often than not.

when you wanted what you currently have.png

2. Making Face Masks

If you know how to sew, you can be of great help to your community by creating cloth face masks. There are many local groups all over the country, supplying materials and in search of volunteers. Check out my previous post about the importance of face masks that includes instructions and links to existing patterns.

3. Create Political Signs and Props for Protests.

Inspire people and invite others to action by conveying a message of change. Many artists have had an opportunity to create some eye-catching signs and props to express our disapproval of systemic racism and police brutality.

4. Create Memes that will diffuse some tensions in social media.

Sometimes to bring down the stress, we just need a good cathartic laugh. Creating some ironic, yet funny memes can help you and others release some of the stress. I know it is hard to laugh at some of the situations we are living, but I like to think that we are becoming more resilient.

5. Become an inspiration for your community, and restore hope.

You know what they say, after the storm there's calm, and often a rainbow! I was sad when I learned about the looting on State Street after the first Black Lives Matter protest in Madison, WI. Still, when I saw how quickly a lot of the members in our community organized themselves to clean up the mess, it lifted my spirit. Many fellow artists had the idea to beautify the new stores' wooden façades by painting colorful murals and hopeful quotes. It just made me smile and renewed my faith in humanity.

We can all do something to help each other during these difficult times. I know there are more ideas out there.

Are you an artist that has contributed in a positive way to your community?

Do you have any examples or links that you would like to share with our community about different ways artists have made life better for others? Please share your experience and leave a comment.

Welcome to Creative Talk by Inventiva Works!

Monica Cliff June 23, 2020

Are you a creative mind curious about how other artists develop a concept and create an artistic project?

Are you interested in connecting with other creatives, learning their shortcuts, tips, and inspiration from their work?

If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, welcome! You are on the right blog.

Creative Talk by Inventiva Works is a blog devoted to discussing the creative process for visual artists and designers, as well as any reflections, challenges and solutions to make the creative process enjoyable and art-making profitable for the artist.

Hi there! My name is Monica Cliff, and I am the creative mind behind Inventiva Works. As an artist, I am always curious about the creative process of other artists. I find the practice of arriving at a brilliant concept fascinating, and the journey to get there tends to be full of excitement, and sometimes drama. Often before coming to the genius concept, our brain is full of questions and doubts, and that’s part of what I want us to explore in this blog: the story behind each creative process.

Creativity plays a role when we want to translate our ideas from the paper or the computer to the physical world. This is especially true for performing arts, so analyzing what practical decisions artists make to make an idea happen under budget and under pressure is very interesting.

Creativity in Action

In this blog, I want to share my own creative process and professional experience. We will explore the exciting part of being an artist and the most common challenges artists tend to face and overcome.

Some of the forms of art we will explore are:

Drawing, Painting, and Illustrations
Performance Arts: Set, Costumes, Props Design
Puppetry

We will examine what creativity is and what you can do to exercise your creative brain and maximize your artistic production.

“The joy of the creative process, minute by minute, hour after hour, day by day, is the sublime path to true happiness.”

— George Lois

One of the goals for this blog is to connect with other artists and to share our creative experiences. I find that I learn something new each time a fellow artist shares their creative process with me. I will be featuring artists from around the globe to learn about their artistic process and how have they figured out some challenges.

So make yourself at home and feel free to reach out with any comments, questions or feedback!

Curiosity is a positive trait to have as an artist!

What kind of art do you do? Please share in the comments some highlights about your creative process.