Pat Fiorello has been painting for more than 25 years, and during that time she says, she’s been fortunate to “mostly” have felt excited to get into the studio and paint. But no one is immune to dry spells, periods of flagging enthusiasm, and loss of focus. In the previous installment of this series, Pat pointed out that a dry period can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the longer it goes on the more you resist getting back to making art. Before that happens, you want to recharge your creative batteries, to “re-boot your artistic spirit,” she says. (Read the first segment of this article here)
Where we left off, Pat offered one of the best pieces of beat-the-block advice we know: Do Something Easy. When you feel stuck, uninspired, discouraged, or overwhelmed, she says, try taking a break and going back to paint something familiar or simple. “That gives me a feeling of success,” she wrote, “and a jolt of confidence that gets me beyond my frustration.”
What follows are more tips and ideas from Pat’s creative toolbox (or garden shed, might be more appropriate for such a painter of flowers).
By Guest Contributor PAT FIORELLO
Learn
I will use a dry spell as a chance to learn something new. I remind myself of a painting skill I’ve been wanting to develop and dwell in that. Learning is energizing. I’ll find books or videos on that topic and immerse myself in that. Nothing makes me want to paint more than a video where I see someone else painting. “Hey, I want to do that too!”
Just Do It!
You may think you are blocked, but maybe that’s just the voice in your head. You made it up, so let it go It’s not the truth. To avoid failing or not being perfect, we sometimes procrastinate. In the words of Picasso, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”. Once you get brush to canvas, you might very well get reconnected with your passion and the joy of creating.
Rest
On the other hand, it’s okay to take a break if you need it. If I’m upset or in a bad mood, I do not force myself to paint. Your energy shows up on the canvas. If you are in a negative state, that energy will show up on the canvas. If you feel good and relaxed that will show up too. So see if you can identify what’s bothering you and deal with that. Then get to a balanced state where you can paint with freedom and ease. And sometimes you just need a break as an “incubation” period for ideas to be planted and sprout, so be patient and kind to yourself.
Find Your Inspiration
If I’m stuck, I will go shopping for beautiful flowers. It might be just at the grocery store, or if I go to the flower wholesaler, I can go in their refrigerated case with tons of flower choices all arranged by color. I’m like a kid in a candy shop. Or I might search on-line for a great new piece of pottery of other still life prop. Or if you do the figure, maybe a new model or new costume. Even getting some new art supplies to play and experiment with can be enlivening.
Acknowledge Yourself
Look over some of your own favorite paintings (I keep a folder of “My Favorites” on my computer) to remind yourself of the joy you had creating those paintings. Acknowledge how far you’ve come in your own development as an artist from where you first started. Sometimes we are so focused on the next painting that we skip over the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our own successes and growth.
Finally, don’t think of a slow period as “something’s wrong.” It’s a natural part of the creative cycle. But maybe some of the tips I’ve outlined here will help get you back to creating a little bit quicker!
Pat Fiorello, “Carolina on my Mind,” oil – one of Pat’s “re-boot” experiments designed to kick the creative blues.
Pat Fiorello has a video in which she teaches her method of achieving vibrant, clean colors and a luminous glow – and how to capture the beauty and essence of flowers effectively. Check out “Vibrant Flowers” here. AND there’s a “florals in oil” bundle that includes Pat’s videos along with others on roses, the trad still life, etc., here.
