Each of us have our own set of personal challenges and comforts, but to grow we need to push these boundaries. Time and time again I have sat at my computer trawling through photographs and files of images that I have created. I have selected my personal favourites for a portfolio, curating them into an order and designing the layout. I have created interlinked webpages with web design software off line, and burnt it to DVD as a portfolio for job interviews, but I have never felt confident to upload these works online. In recent years I have shared images on my private Instagram and Facebook accounts for friends and family to see. In the beginning even in the trusted space of my loved ones I was still reluctant to share these images that I had spent hours working on. Now only the drawings with the most personal of content remain in the privacy of my physical art archive.
So why create a public online space to share these images now? Because, for me, it is a creative block; not all creative challenge involve staring at a blank page with no inspiration, or a blank mind as to where to push next. Some creative blocks involve being unable to push past our comfort zones and explore new territory.
Creative blocks come in all kinds, and you are not alone. Here are some that I have faced over the last 20 years or so.
I don’t want to push my boundaries; I want to do my own thing. Great! However do you just pick up and create, or do you explore concepts and ideas before you create? Do you use reference materials and look into the work and reasoning of other artists? Sometimes it is great to just spend hours letting the subconscious fall out of your mind and into the physical world. Though, nothing happens in a vacuum, all inspiration starts somewhere. Sometimes you have to plan out that inspiration by exploring and planning the concept first to create something truly special. Write notes, sketch various layouts, mind map ideas, research concepts, find photo references, and experiment with new ideas and techniques. There are so many methods to inform your creativity and every single one will offer a depth to your work that wasn’t there before.
I can’t finish it! There many reasons why works get left unfinished, loss of inspiration, the goal of perfection, mistakes, time constraints, life distractions. Yet there is something to be said for persistence in revisiting, reworking and pushing an idea, theme or layout. Keep some form of record of your progression of thoughts, processes and ideas; keep a record of works that don’t make the cut and note down why. You’d be surprised how useful it is to critically evaluate your work like this, and how often something new and exciting evolves from this process.
Also as a side note, I want to address the idea of sharing work that hasn’t been finished. Some of the most interesting images of artwork that I have come across show the artists’ work in process. If you ever get a chance to visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery do it, one of the most creatively influential moments in my childhood was seeing several of his works in progress on display. Of course if you cannot get there research online for works in progress or #WIP
http://www.normanlindsay.com.au/index.php
I made a mistake, I hate it! So frustrating! All that time and effort spent pouring yourself into a project and you are convinced that all your work was for naught. Ok you have a choice…
BURN! BURN IT ALL! GRAHHHHHHH! HULK SMASH!
Or maybe you could cut your losses, run from it, and go do something new? But what would happen if you paused? What would happen if you re-evaluated your goals and planned steps to reach the desired outcome? What would happen if you took a breather and returned to it with fresh eyes? You could revisit the concept and redo it. Perhaps even look outside of yourself to research into methods, techniques or forms that others have used to help you finish their work. Or you could accept that small mistake and work with it, you could own it, half the time it will be only you who sees it in the end. Or if you do not have intent to sell the original you could just digitalise it and use Photoshop to rectify the error.
I finished it but all I can see is the mistakes. Perfection, while it is an aspiration of many it is almost unobtainable. Sometimes you need to aim for it; sometimes there is a beauty in the imperfections. But there is a difference between a polished work and perfection. There is a difference between proficient precise execution and the unobtainable perfection; precision requires diligence and practice. It is likely that when you see someone else’s polished seemingly perfect creation you don’t see the hours, days, months and years of trials, mock ups, experiments, collaborations and failures.
Thy art is done.
So what now? What are you going to do with it? Gift it? Sell it? Promote it? Put it away? I understand that for many it is easy to get your work out there, especially now that we are encouraged to share everything on social media. However this next section is for those who struggle with the self-confidence to share their creations or assign a value to their work.
I don’t want to be judged. Creating specifically for someone else or for a living can be daunting. You might wonder ‘will my work be well received?’ Have you have met expectations? Yet learning to interpret a brief or create to a prerequisite is a skill as important as the technical skill required to produce work. Practice, listen to feedback, take on the advice and practice more.
What if you are creating for pleasure? Often sharing deeply personal content can be confronting, especially when your audience knows you personally. You may be concerned that they will misinterpret and impose their world view upon the intent behind your work. Perhaps you explore themes that help you express and manage your feelings; perhaps you explore challenging emotions, traumatic events or confrontational themes. Not all of your work needs to be shared with the world, but sometimes sharing can have a positive effect. Your work may resonate with someone, or feedback received back can boost your confidence and offer more opportunities to consider in the future. An easy place to start is online sharing with friends and family; if that doesn’t work for you create a pseudonym, find an online community with shared interests and start there.
Take feedback, not everyone is a troll. Trolls ARE out there looking for entertainment and attention, but you don’t need to feed them by buying into it. Some people do, some people love the attention and the drama, but it is a childish behaviour that I will discuss another day. The point I would like to make is this: not everyone will like what you produce, especially if your work is in anyway avant-garde. However if you are lucky you’ll get some constructive feedback from individuals with more experience. Even if you feel the delivery is less than tactful, read between the lines and try to see how you could incorporate the input into what you create.
There are so many amazing artists out there. Yes there are, sometimes other people’s art is so intimidatingly amazing that it makes me feel like I’m in preschool drawing stick figures. But here’s the thing, they have practiced and honed their skills; likely they spend every waking moment creating, living and breathing their style and medium. They have specialised, they have developed their own style and ideas, they have failed and they keep pushing. Likely they have studied in some way. Perhaps they spent hours reading books and trawling online tutorials for techniques, or they have followed formal studies of some kind.
Most importantly everyone has their own style even within a genre and their own personal reasons to express themes. Please do not ever compare your creative expression against someone else’s. Look to others for inspiration, informing your techniques and ideas certainly but you cannot compare your artistic endeavours to someone else’s. Some of the most moving art I have encountered is incredibly simple but is loaded conceptually; some of my favourite art was made by my children.
I want to make a living off my art, but I don’t know where to start. Firstly practice and hone your skills, then learn how to present your work for the audience you intend to sell to. The recommendations of others and spreading the reputation of your art via word of mouth or sharing content online is often the strongest selling point to potential buyers and employers. Promote yourself, network online in creative groups and go to functions in your chosen field. Consider internships, but research the opportunity and the business first. Enter competitions, keep entering competitions, and enter some more competitions. Create an online presence that allows you to display and sell your product. Approach arty cafe’s, restaurants and small galleries and see if they will let you book space to display your work. Price your work/time appropriately.
But I don’t know what my work is worth. There are so many blogs on the worth of an artist’s time and creations. Should you work for free to get your foot in the door? How much is your time worth? How much were the materials worth? On one hand you pay for experience, technique and the name, on the other hand by undervaluing your work you can undercut the market and devalue the worth of all artists. My best advice is research your genre of art, find out what price range other artists similar to you charge for their work. Just keep in mind that art via the artist direct will differ to art via galleries and creative companies who will include a commission fee.
But, it is all so scary! It is your choice; you can push through your comfort zone or stay within it. But unless you really push yourself, your techniques, your genre, your boundaries and the boundaries of expression you run the risk of stagnating.
Practice, revisit, research, seek advice, inform yourself and keep creating.
Image: ‘Schrodinger’s Consumer’ image 3/8. Photographic Series. 2014
Do you have any comments or personal experience to add? Please feel free to respond in the comments; or to connect via Facebook or Twitter to share your thoughts.
Peace.
Woahmannic 