I was recently on a panel at the scifi convention known as Convergence that covered the topic of Artist Block or what is more commonly referred to as, “writer’s” block. This reported phenomenon is when a creative person feels as if they are unable to produce work. They are blocked. They have hit a wall. They don’t have that inner drive or they can’t find their “muse.” On that panel I took the slightly controversial stand that there is actually no such thing as “artist or writer’s block. It doesn’t exist.
We also did a Mad Art Cast episode that touched on this topic. And I honestly believe that writer’s block and artist block is not an actual thing. What is a thing, is the need to step away, unwind and reevaluate. No one can can go full throttle all the time. Even the most passionate creators need to take a break for food and sleep or the work will begin to deteriorate.
While I believe that there is always an endless supply of inspiration and art that can be made, I realize that artists are not machines and we need to rest and relax in between, or sometimes during projects. My opinion is that using terminology like “block” can send the wrong message to our brains. Your creativity is never blocked. You just need to refuel.
On that note, I give you this double exposure gif I created of the beach at Alameda and I remind you to take care of yourself and walk away from the canvas or the computer screen now and then. The creativity never leaves you, but at times you need to redirect your attention, rest, relax and reboot to truly let the creativity flow.
*featured image of the beach taken by me in Kauai 2015.
