Creative Blockage -- What to do?

[Itza Joqual]

This is in response to the person who wondered what other artists do
when faced with "creative blockage." I already wrote a rather lengthy
treatise on the subject, but it failed to include something that I have
found to be vital for keeping my creative juices free-flowing:

KEEPING A PERSONAL JOURNAL.

Not a loose-leaf or spiral notebook, but a hard-cover book. I use one
that has blank, white pages and is 8 1/2 X 11 X 1 inches. I both sketch
and write in these journals. I add clippings, loose notes, and small
sketches by glueing them into the binding or onto a blank page. I use
both sides of every page. So far I have filled six volumes which reside
together on a bookshelf alongside a bunch of similar full hardcover
sketch books.

The written stuff in the journals is a lot like what you might find in a
personal diary. But my journals are much more comprehensive than a
diary. Everything and anything goes in the journal. My journals have a
ton of ideas that never reach fruition. Whenever I think I have reached
an impasse in my work, I return to my journals. I never fail to find
something there that is worth a try, even if only as a temporary
diversion.

I have another set of similar sized sketch books that supplement the
journals. These are also all hardcover books, but with softer, toothier
paper that accepts different media, from Prismacolor pencil to ink and
watercolor. Whereas the journals are mostly thoughts and
remembrances, the sketch books contain "doodles." The doodles are
finished works of art in their own right, but because they are in a hard
bound volume, they will always remain there. I only use one side of
the page for these little art works. The doodles are another rich source
of ideas for larger scale works--whether paintings, sculpture, prints, or
whatever.

There is something about using a hardcover book that makes them
more precious or sacred or special than using the typical spiral wound
sketch books. The latter are more like cheap scratch pads, suitable for
quick sketches. My journals and hardcover sketch books contain works
that are just as serious and precious (to me) as my large scale art
productions.

--
********************* 1845 - 1995 ****************************
*** From Deep in the Heart of Texas where we're celebrating ***
*** 150 Years of Mexicanization. Itza Joqual. ***
**************************************************************************

[JuneBug59]

Read the book "The Artist Way" It really helped with my own block.

[keith]

from keith - disability artist - mixed media

take a break - do something completly different
for a specfic time & then try above

life is for living and civil rights

art for all

keith

[Tad Weyland]

"The Artist's Way" was very helpful for me as well.. It's written by
Julia Cameron. I recommend it every chance I get and have given it to
many friends.

[Mattison]

JuneBug59 (june...@aol.com) wrote:
: Read the book "The Artist Way" It really helped with my own block.

Art and Fear is another good book get it from Carpra Press in SAnta
Barbara CA.

Mattison

[rebecca Hose-Capps]

In article <mattartD...@netcom.com> mat...@netcom.com (Mattison) writes:
>From: mat...@netcom.com (Mattison)
>Subject: Re: Creative Blockage -- What to do?

I liked "Art as Experience" by John Dewey

[Wray Kephart]

on 21 Jul 1995 01:49:53 GMT Itza Joqual (it...@mix.com) posted:

X This is in response to the person who wondered what other artists do
X when faced with "creative blockage." I already wrote a rather lengthy
X treatise on the subject, but it failed to include something that I have
X found to be vital for keeping my creative juices free-flowing:

Change my account and name every 2 months so that I can reintroduce
myself in new and challenging ways to those Ive previously alienated
by my offensive posts; <get another crack at em>.

Kephart