Making good art is about so much more than just being creative. For myself, it is a delicate balance of being regulated, inspired, and having a good routine down.
Personally, I find half of the battle is getting myself to sit down and start creating. It’s a lot harder than it sounds 😉
Here I asked four artists I know from my local community in Ontario, to share a bit about their creative process, how they overcome blocks, and what inspires them the most. I hope you find their answers as inspiring as I do!
– Jessie
Petra Victoria, Melouvia Studio
Photos provided by Petra. You can check out her instagram here.
What’s your medium? Can you tell us about your work?
I am an acrylic painter and digital illustrator. For the past few years I have been making very bright and colourful pieces, but lately I’ve been diving deep into what styles and colours I truly enjoy and the reason behind why I make art.
My favourite things to paint are still giant animals and small people, portals and other worlds; but I’ve learned that I prefer soft, pastel colours over bold, vibrant ones and I’m working on improving my Art Nouveau style over a children’s illustration technique.
I’m in a bit of a transition phase and looking forward to seeing where it takes me!
When is your best time to create?
Ouh this is a tricky one. I’ve always found that I’m most creative at night. There’s something about it being quiet and knowing that everyone around me is winding down and there’s nothing left that needs to be done that makes me feel relaxed, focused and gets alllll the ideas pouring out.
I also feel like I have all the time in the world which can keep me going for hours. But then I get sleepy and am cranky the next day if I stay up too late, so I’m working on getting that creativity to come out in the morning (as of right now she’s still not a morning person).
How do you get yourself in the mood?
Nothing in the world can force me into the creative mood unfortunately, my creativity is as stubborn as me. If I try to paint when I am not feeling it, I get very frustrated and tired easily and usually end up spending more time painting over one part again and again because it’s just not turning out. I find the best thing to do in these times is to just let myself work on other non-art related projects until the spark returns.
There are of course certain pieces that I can’t do this with and in those instances I give myself bite-sized goals such as “okay only paint the eye and then we’ll take a break”; this usually gets everything flowing enough to do a good amount of work. I am very privileged to be able to make art in a way that allows me to honour my emotions and energy levels most days.
What inspires you the most?
Oh my gosh, so many things. One thing that is GUARANTEED to always get me super inspired and excited about creating is Art Books. Seeing the colour combinations and the way other artists share their step by step process and reading the stories behind their beautiful creations fills me right up and makes my creative heart feel like it’s about to burst.
Some of my favourite art books are Wonder by Beatrice Blue, Windows to Worlds by Devin Elle Kurtz and Reverie by Sibylline Meynet. I would love to create my own one day!
Otherwise I also get very inspired by nature, swimming, books, animals, video games and gorgeous cartoons such as She-Ra, Kipo, and Hilda.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I’ve actually been experiencing my biggest art block ever for the past year or so. I think that sometimes our personal lives can take up so much of our energy that there might not be a lot left over for creating and that’s how I’ve been feeling.
What helped bring me back to creative life recently has been curiosity over perfectionism. I have a bunch of specific things that I want to learn how to draw better (trees, characters, landscapes, etc.) and I’ve been watching tutorials and practicing sketching them out in different ways. The act of taking my time and relieving myself of the pressure to share or sell what I make, has brought back some of the joy.
I also find that hanging out with fellow creatives and bouncing ideas off of one another and just having FUN helps so much.
How do you try to be more conscious in your work?
My art is always inspired by and centered around nature so it’s very important to me to make as many eco-friendly choices as possible. I often donate a portion of my sales to different organizations that support our environment. I also reuse my canvases and make sure that all of my art prints are packaged in plant based biodegradable sleeves as well as biodegradable bubble wrap and mailers. I use paper stickers as opposed to plastic. I purchase from local businesses as much as I can and I offer preorders so as not to waste any products.
The main thing that I want to focus on next is growing a collection of all natural paint so that I can feel good about the way that I make large paintings.
I’m still learning so much so any eco-friendly art tips are always appreciated.
What keeps you creating?
I don’t know if you’ve ever read the Throne of Glass series, but in it she describes the feeling of pressure that accumulates under her skin the longer she goes without unleashing her magic. That is kind of how I feel with my creativity. If I go too long without releasing all of the ideas that build up inside of me I feel restless, scattered and like I’m about to explode.
Creating things is my outlet for all of my emotions, my wild imagination and the way I experience the world around me. I feel like I need art to function. I also want to use my art to help others as much as I can; by showing them it’s okay to be different, by organizing events where everyone feels seen, heard and celebrated and by creating products that encourage love and kindness.
I believe that all creatives are here to be a voice for the greater good and to try to help make this world a bit better.
/////
Natasha, House of Aquarius
Photos provided by Natasha. You can check out her instagram here.
What’s your medium? Can you tell us about your work?
I started with leather a decade ago doing costumes for a live performance and it became a hobby. As a multidisciplinary artist and maker I use all sorts of mediums. Wood, metal, paints, fabric, thermoplastic, found objects, you name it. Over the last 3 years I’ve focused on leather because I enjoy it’s versatility and durability. I prefer to work in small batches and collections. Most of my work is hand stitched, a very time consuming process but the end results are worth it. I especially love making hats and custom requested items.
When is your best time to create?
As a full time single mom to an 8yr old, I get most of my work done during school hours and on the weekends. If I have the time, I find early mornings, before the day gets busy, to be the most enjoyable time to create.
How do you get yourself in the mood?
Thinking about how my artwork and creations bring inspiration and joy to others. I listen to podcasts or tunes and get a groove on. Other times I seek solitude away from the world around and go solo camping. I bring my sketch book and a bit of my studio with me.
What inspires you the most?
As a horticulturist and passionate gardener I am inspired by the beauty and perfection found in nature. The mathematical ratios and proportions found in seeds, blossoms and plants, also known as sacred geometry, has always captivated my imagination.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I explore new mediums and disciplines, nerd out at the library, go to a museum or craft show. Pinterest is invaluable for a design pick me up. Other times I get quiet and listen to see if I have a subtler internal dialogue keeping me stuck. Sometimes it’s procrastination, a negative feedback loop or that I’ve deviated from playfulness into pleasing others. Whatever the case, blocks happen and instead of stressing out I accept them as a part of the design process.
How do you try to be more conscious in your work?
I source my materials and supplies locally and within Canada when possible. The deer & moose leather and furs I use are from a Canadian tannery that is indigenous owned. They gather hides from hunters that have used the animals to feed their families. I do my best to create as little waste as possible and try to stick to organic and natural fibers. Buy once buy well is my motto. Mindful production over mass production.
What keeps you creating?
I was born this way. It’s part of my soul. I create intuitively, with intention. I have a fascination with the function of things and a perpetual curiosity for design. When I’m in flow state the most wonderful things take shape in my hands and I feel like I’m tapping into a reservoir of skills. This connection is like meditation and helps remind me to enjoy life in the moment. Albert Einstein once said “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” and I couldn’t agree more!
/////
Isabelle Norris
Photos provided by Isabelle. You can check out her instagram here.
What is your medium? Can you tell us about your work?
I like to dabble in a little bit of everything such as watercolours, inks, oils, acrylics and collage, but when it comes to showcasing my artwork, you will find that the majority of my paintings are done using acrylic paint on canvas.
Since I work in a style that resembles expressionism, I love the brightness of the acrylics and because they dry quickly, this allows me to be in my right brain and work from a place of pure inspiration, where I use swift brushstrokes and not have to plan any of the techniques I may be using. The work is spontaneous, expressive and I am all up in my feelings as I paint.
When is your best time to create?
I like to create early in the morning after I gathered my thoughts! This sets me up for the day. I can get up around 5 am sometimes, as I feel like there is something magical in the ethers at that time when the world seems to be shifting from night into morning, from darkness to light. I get inspiration more easily as I feel more connected around that special time. It appears that everyone is still sleeping and there is very little interference.
How do you get yourself in the mood?
Meditation helps me get in the mood for painting and sometimes I will stretch or even do a little yoga session. Ambiance music or world music inspires me as well as most of my portraits feature women of diverse ethnicities.
What inspires you the most?
I am mostly inspired by depicting emotions which is quite the challenge, so getting into the right headspace for this is crucial.
I like to portray women who do not necessarily get the spotlight such as women from various ethnic backgrounds who are not famous or known. I am inspired by beauty and this is what I seek to transmit. I feel that this world could use more of it and that the colours and the art itself are healing to the soul.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
Journaling, yoga and meditation help me overcome creative blocks. When these three practices are not enough, I will go for a walk in the woods next to a park near my house. I sometimes combine nature and meditation or journaling in a cafe. If all this fails to get me to the easel, I visit art galleries or even a museum.
How do you try to be more conscious in your work?
I try to be more conscious in my work by showcasing the best of humanity in each of my portrait. I hope this can bring people together as they see themselves in others by feeling an emotional connection when looking at a woman that looks nothing like them.
I also want to call out to the women who may not feel represented so that they too may realize how beautiful they truly are.
What keeps you creating?
The need for expressing deep feelings keep me creating because I am a woman as well and I want to express my uniqueness. I see myself in all the woman I paint. Though they each have distinct features, I find the common humanity in us and hope to communicate this feeling to everyone, women, men and children of all backgrounds.
/////
Alison Ford, Sunburnt Glass
Photos taken by Matt Waring. You can check out Alison’s instagram here.
What’s your medium? Can you tell us about your work?
My medium is stained glass. When some people hear that they think I am melting and colouring the glass myself – I wish! What I do is create patterns, choose coloured glass (that comes in sheets), cut it up and stick it back together again. That is definitely the short version, but when people ask me what I do, I like to say that I essentially make puzzles.
When is your best time to create?
I am definitely a late morning gal. My medium is greatly linked to the broad spectrum light of the sun and I think I am too. I am at my most productive late morning to early afternoon. Recently I have really been trying to incorporate the creation of my art into a sustainable daily lifestyle – once my needs have been met (sleep, yoga, breakfast, coffee) I am ready to dive in.
How do you get yourself in the mood?
Environment is everything for me. I am easily distracted and always have lots of different plates spinning, so it really helps to be in the studio, just looking at the glass and sitting in the atmosphere.
What inspires you the most?
Realistically what inspires me is walking around different neighbourhoods and seeing the 100-year old stained glass panels still beautiful in century homes, and patterns and shapes of home design, and sunshine, and the way it flows through the glass…
But another thing that inspires me also gives me trepidation. The limitlessness of art is so inspiring – you can literally create anything you want if you put your mind to it. Every medium, glass included, has so many techniques, modalities and applications to be explored.
For some reason this also creates hesitation in me. Conscious of this limitlessness, my limiting intrusive thoughts say, “Are you doing enough? Are you being creative enough? Is it interesting enough?”
So I guess what more often inspires me is the challenge I give myself to keep growing and learning all the time and not being afraid to get my work out into the world.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
Most of my blockages, with art and otherwise, stem from fear. I’m afraid the project won’t turn out how I want it to, that I lack the skills to pull it off, that I’ll mess something up and it won’t be perfect – and these fears are strong enough to put me off creating altogether.
It sounds corny, but for me, it’s just a matter of believing in myself and reminding myself that I am, in fact, very capable! Just do the thing, self!
How do you try to be more conscious in your work?
My work can be tedious with many steps requiring repetitive actions. It’s easy to get frustrated and to lose the plot when you’re grinding the 100th piece of glass in a project. But with the right mindset it can also be very meditative. I’ve had many moments of great insight when copper foiling glass pieces for hours on end. Staying conscious of the end result and thinking about how much joy the piece will bring someone keeps me on track.
What keeps you creating?
I must. I must create.
I have realised recently that I am incapable of not doing, creating, making…something. The medium changes, the interests shift, but the inclination never goes away. I am definitely one of those people that “collects hobbies”. I’m pretty much interested in trying most any art and/or craft. And I can’t stop! I have a bit of a natural nervous, busy energy that requires an outlet and presently that outlet is stained glass art. I look forward to continuing to create and to learn and to keep growing with art in anyway I can.
