by Grace Newlin
In this piece, I discuss tackling the creative process from the perspective of a painter. However, it can apply to all creative practices such as writing, knitting, cooking, etc... you may just need to swap out a few of the words.
● Welcome, creative. Maybe you searched for—or just merely stumbled upon— this advice but either way, I am glad you are here. Whichever type of creative you are, we all share a unique experience: the tumultuous, beautiful, never-ending, lovely creative process. From an amateur creative myself, I am here to give you some tips.
● It’s a hike. You put on your hiking pants and lace up your boots, filled with excitement. The hike begins and then there it is, a daunting mountain; the top of it unseeable. Okay, enough with the metaphor. The daunting mountain is really just a blank page. To get over this blank-page-phobia, I suggest dedicating a separate sketchbook solely for bad art. It’s your junk journal. You can yell at it, throw it across the room, or toss it in the blender if you like. This is your chance to warm up and get the creative juices flowing. Any seasoned hiker would tell you it’s never good to start off cold. After all, you don’t want to burn out quickly.
● Go slow. Sometimes, the things that stick with us are those cheesy quotes on our highschool English teacher’s walls. Well, that was me for this quote: “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” There are two approaches: the creative that prepares, plans, and then produces. Or there’s the one who dives in head first and learns along the way. Either way, take your time. Patience is rewarded, so give what you can, when you can. You’ll feel better if you don’t rush. It’s also important to take breaks. Art can be taxing on the body, so I recommend stretching and moving every 45 minutes or so. Take that rest-time and use it to get inspired via Pinterest or a walk through the neighborhood. Then, put on your lofi beats and doze off into the world of art.
● Be nice. Your art’s love language is positive affirmations. It’s nearly impossible to stop negative thoughts from creeping in, but your art matters. So, let it know. Remind yourself that art is not a math equation; art doesn’t follow concrete steps. Sometimes I get to the end of a painting and it’s not where I intended to end up, but I’m always glad that I got there. Other times, I end up where I wanted, but don’t remember the steps in between. If it helps, you can deep-dive into Instagram hashtags to remind yourself that there are people just like you at the beginning of their artistic journey. Who cares if you’re not a professional, it’s brave just to try.
● Trust yourself. If you’re working on a project for class, take it easy. When it comes to deadlines, focus on producing a little bit of good work each day and come to terms with the end result because it’s the process that matters. As for art that you make for yourself on a random Saturday, there are no rules. Create like nobody's watching. Paint with your toes, or with your eyes closed. Who cares? Paint can always be covered up, but it’s good to get uncomfortable. As creatives, we are stuck living with our ideas and art supplies scattered across the house, so we better get to know them well.
● Cry if you need to. Being a creative person doesn’t mean you’re flowing with ideas and skills all the time. We all have bad days and sometimes you will hate your work, but that’s how you grow. You learn from your successes and mistakes. Knowing when to stop painting is a strength. Recharge and try again tomorrow, as long as you keep trucking forward. It’s okay to give up on one piece—you won’t make a masterpiece every time—but don’t give up on creating as a whole. You chose this passion for a reason.
● At the end of the day, congratulate yourself. Creativity takes hard work and brainpower. Still lacking confidence? Start an art Instagram account. Hang up the art on your fridge or even better, all around the house. How cool is it to take thoughts and bring them to life? You are a goddess. Tell yourself that. Accomplishments do not coincide with quantity or quality here. Accomplishments are found in thinking, trying, inventing, starting and finishing. Art is your voice. Let the world hear it.
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