How to Get Out of Your Creative Inertia

Artists frequently ask me to evaluate their art work and write an art review. When looking at their overall body of work on their website I can immediately detect if they’ve been in a creative standstill. Sluggish energy and lack of sales can often be telltale signs that an artist is suffering from inertia. If you’re there now or have ever been there, this article will show you  some causes that may have led you there and solutions to get you back on the path to energized inspiration.

Cause: Repetition
Do you feel like you’re on automatic pilot, but not in a good way? Have you been creating the same type of artwork for so long that all of your art seems to look the same? Do you find yourself going into your studio and repeating the same shapes, forms, subjects and colors without much change and evolution?

Solution: Expand Your Vision
Experiment with a new medium. Use a color that’s outside your wheelhouse.  Purchase some new materials. Go to an art show to see totally different artwork than yours. Listen to music that you haven’t heard in a long time. Give yourself permission to experiment creatively without self-judgment. Trying new directions doesn’t mean you have to radically change your signature style, you may just need to infuse your existing style with some new elements and accents.

Cause: Rejection
Have you recently been rejected and that caused you to feel depressed, hopeless and paralyzed? Could it be that you’re allowing another person’s opinion affect your self-esteem? Do you find yourself returning to negative thoughts surrounding this period of rejection? Are you ready to stop feeling wounded? Do you want to get out of your self-pity mode?

Solution: Get Real!
Remind yourself about the many famous artists — even Renoir — who were rejected one day and raised to idol status the next. Popularity has its ups and downs. One person’s opinion does not represent everyone, no matter what credentials they have. Get back up and you’ll find fans who will sing your praises. Most likely, in time you’ll forget all about this rejection. Read How to Handle Rejection As An Artist. Consider getting a positive, professional Art Review by me that emphasizes your overall strengths as an artist.

Cause: Pleasing Others
Do you find yourself creating art a certain way mostly because you like the positive feedback you get? Even at the sacrifice of your creative development and fullest potential? Do you think you may be suffering from a period of complacency and mediocrity?

Solution: Please Yourself
When you stop being a “people pleaser” and follow your own vision, expect to win some, lose some, and gain some back. Life will go on. First and foremost, you must align yourself with your fullest creative potential and destiny. Find out what makes you feel most elated and do it. Remember, enthusiasm is infectious, and when you’re feeling at the peak of your potential, you’ll gain the appreciation of others. And, if you don’t, it won’t matter because you’ll be high on life.

Cause: Old Goals
Have you lost sight of the light at the end of the tunnel? When was the last time you thought about your creative and career goals? Do you need to take them out of the remote closet of your mind, dust them off and shine a light on them? Check out this article on how to create an art business plan.

Solution: Create New Goals
Dare to dream. Visualize goals that provide you with a strong dose of motivation and a driving force to take action on a steady basis. Your objective is to wake up every day looking forward to taking one more step towards reaching the desired outcome. Then once you’ve reached it set up new destinations.

Cause: Dwelling on Weaknesses
It’s good if you want to keep improving in areas that need attention. However, the problem occurs when you spend too much time focusing on your weakness that you are blinded by them and fail to see the many strengths you have. It could cause you to be out of balance in that area.

Solution: Make A List
You may have forgotten your innate talents, assets and accomplishments. Take an objective inventory of what makes your art unique, special and desired. List all the positive comments you’ve received about your art. Remind yourself of the many reasons why others have spent money on your work, given you an award, written positive reviews about it. Acknowledge all of the career achievements you’ve attained.

Cause: Fear of the “Blank Canvas”
It’s easy to become overwhelmed or intimidated by a blank sheet of paper, canvas, or mound of clay, especially if you haven’t created anything in a while.

Solution: Start Small
Create a few sketches or doodles.  View them as exercises to warm up the underused creative muscles. Avoid trying to create anything complicated or “finished”. Don’t judge them. Enjoy the process.  Later, you may be inspired to consider taking one or more of them and take them further to create larger, more in-depth works of art.

Final Thoughts…

Keep Planting Seeds
Chances are if you’re in a creative inertia, for whatever reason, potential buyers will also detect it. You’ll reflect in on your website, blog, social media posts and personal demeanor. As one who has contact with hundreds of artists’ daily, I can immediately detect when artists are having creative blocks. So, my advice is, if you become aware of it do something about it before too much time lapses. Keep planting seeds and don’t judge yourself harshly.

Check Your Health
Other causes of creative standstills and boredom can be related to physical and emotional health. Perhaps a change in diet, exercise or attitude may offer the best antidotes for getting your creative juices back on track. You may just need some time off to recharge your creative batteries!

You may also want to read
Take Your Art Career Dreams and Goals Higher.
Have You Ever Lost Your Creative Motivation? How to Restore It!

Perhaps a professionally written Art Review will perk you up!
Find Out About My Writing Services for Artists