This blog post had been suggested by a couple of people (thank-you for
the inspiration!) is all about getting started or re-started with your creative
endeavours.
I will keep these tips fairly vague, as I want them to be as applicable
to as many creative practices as possible, not just to artists.
Before you try to get started it is useful to understand why you might
be having difficulties;
· You
do not know what it is you want to do
· The
task is too big or overwhelming
· The
task seems too easy
· You
fear judgement
· You
are put off by a blank page
(Williams and Reid, 2011)
Hopefully these activities will help you in moments of doubt or during
creative dry spells!
1. Do something every day!
It is good to reflect on
what you have done.
Gibbs
(1988) provides a useful reflective cycle which you can use to reflect on what
it is you have done that day, write a few notes for each stage.
2. Go Dada
Surrealist
games are a great way to get creative. One of my favourites is to set yourself
some arbitrary rules to follow.
To makes these easier
to set make some sets of cards outlining;
- Duration; how long
you will spend on the activity; 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes,
25 minutes, 30 minutes
- Materials; what will
you use to create the work, such as; art material, instruments, digital
programmes
Pick one of each card
and get creating
NB: The more of these
cards that you can create the more varied your choices will be and the longer
the activity will stay fresh.
3. Look back on what you have done before
This year, last year, ten
years ago. Ask
yourself;
- What
is it I have previous done?
- How
did you create the work? (What materials and processed where used?)
- What
context was the work made in? (Education, for fun?)
- Are
you pleased with the outcome?
- Can
anything be reworked? (Can you use this as a start point?)
Is
there anything you would change? (Change it!)
4. Gain Peer Feedback
It
is really difficult to be creative if you are existing within a creative vacuum
(Melee and Cramerotti, 2013).
Show
others your work and ask for feedback;
- Do
you have any ideas how I could develop this work?
- What
are your initial thoughts about this work?
- What
materials could I use to develop X?
- Are
there any processes I could try?
5. Collaborate
Find
other creatives and work together. Put out calls on social media to find those interested
or ask creatives that you know directly!
Collaborations
can exist in many ways;
- Respond
to some work another creative has already created
- Create
work together
- Pass
work between participants
- Write
a brief for others to follow / Ask them to set you a brief
6. Research
See
what others in your creative area (and beyond) are doing. Look at well known
creatives as well as up and coming ones.
Look
into;
- Creatives
focusing on the same topic as you
- Creatives
using the same materials as you
- Creatives
using the same process as you
NB:
When I am stuck, I will come up with a list of key words which relate to what
it is I am trying to develop and will start on the big art websites (Tate, MoMA)
to see what artists, exhibitions or research comes up.
These
websites are great as they will also suggest related artists and allows for quick
initial research.
7. Look at inspirational things…
Even
if they don't relate to your creative practice – remember to avoid falling into
that vacuum.
8. Set yourself a brief
If
you feel that you have a little more direction, consider what it is you want to
do and write your own brief.
Consider
it as a self-assigned research project; set aims and objectives as well as a
time scale.
9. Open Calls
There
are lots of these about, the easiest thing to do is search ‘open calls’.
10. Make Time
Intrinsic Motivation
Your intrinsic motivation also plays a huge part in getting
started and using these suggestions!
Build your intrinsic motivation by considering;
- What is it you want to achieve?
- What is you end goal?
- Why do you want to do this?
So, how can you motivate yourself?
· Be
realistic: Unrealistic thinking sets you up for failure
· Have
high standards: High expectations are linked to success / Plan accordingly
· Set
realistic milestones: Chart your progress
· Reward
achievement: Appropriate to the goal
Find your motivation: Long term goals
(Cottrell, 2010)
To do this you also need to be aware of threats to your
motivation
· Previous
Negative Experience
· Increased
Independence
· Too
High Expectations
· Workload
· Disappointing
Results
· Self-Generated
Fears
I hope these get you creating!
References
Cottrell, S. (2010) Skills for success: personal
development and employability. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
(Palgrave Study Skills).
Gibbs. G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit. Oxford Polytechnic: Oxford.
Melee, L. and Cramerotti, A. (2013) Art and Revolution.
Aesthetic Journalism.
Tate. (2020) Tate. [online] Available at: www.tate.org.uk. [accessed 21/03/20].
Williams, K. and Reid, M. (2011) Time management.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (Pocket study skills).
