when I hit the dreaded artist's block

     When you paint for a living, as in that's how you eat, artist's block can be terrifying.  Just imagine not being able to do the one thing that you do for your very survival in this world.  I mean, no paintings, no money, right.  It would, I suppose, be akin to being a secretary and not being able to turn on the computer.  What do you do? 

​     The creative block is something pretty much all us creative types have encountered from time to time; and it makes sense, you can't be "on" all the time.  That being said, it is an unsettling and unwelcome feeling.  I've been asked several times what I do when faced with a blank canvas and no inspiration to fill it.  The answer is both very short and not so short.  Short answer, I don't paint. The longer answer is, I used to sometimes use the frustration to fuel my work and have created some awesome paintings that way.  However, when I analyze that, it quickly becomes evident that I wasn't actually suffering from any type of creative block during those instances.  Obviously, something in my frustrated state inspired me, ergo, I was, in fact, inspired and therefore not blocked.  I used to get so upset over the dreaded block, but it only makes sense.  Remember I said, above, that you can't be "on" all the time?  Well, think about it, if you leave a light on 24/7, never giving it a rest, it eventually burns out.  Likewise, if the creative light remains on at full force without a break, you get the same result.

​     When I'm truly blocked, the only thing to do is not paint.  I mean I could paint, technically, but what you'd see is a technically proficient piece with the emotional depth of a cardboard cut out of Mr. Spock.  So, I just have my little inner tantrum and go find something else to do, go for a walk, take a nap, eat, read,anything else but paint.  I might even drag out my sketchbook and sketch mindlessly.  Eventually, I'll be struck by the inspirational lighting bolt and return to the canvas, but until then, I just turn out the light.

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