Driving with a Creative GPS

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"Driving with a Creative GPS... And how to avoid artistic burnout/block."

So last night I did the first in a new series of live shows that have specific topics. Similar to the recent journal posts here, only more of an in-depth discussion. You can check out the video here:
which I am working on time coding this afternoon.
So if watching or listening to a long extended live show isn't your thing, there's my write up on it:

    We've all probably experienced creative block at some point. Whether or not you feel like working on a project is actually more determined by how you work than how you are feeling. So what is a Creative GPS? Well a standard GPS you might have on your phone or in your car will guide you to the right roads or back to the right ones if you are lost. Thus a "creative GPS" would be a system of tools, resources, and steps to bring you back to your projects and keep you inspired.  Now of course the artistic process is a discipline and it will depend a little on how much work you're putting into the process, but the other 60% of it comes with having the right places to turn.
   The first tip I have is to get out of the digital world once an awhile. This may seem very arbitrary for some of you (especially anyone but the millennials), but for those in their mid twenties and younger you may find that your digital social media life can take the wheel far too often. Getting out in to the real world without a cell in your pocket can be great for general detachment, but also for keeping your creative mind flowing. If you live in a digital box, you may find it hard to step out and actually make some face to face conversations again that are more than a "how's the weather" moment. (Check out the video around 0:15:32 or check the time codes in the description box).
    My second tip, is that you'll want to surround yourself with inspiration. Which for some may sound like rebuilding that digital box I've suggested getting out of. The first part of this is to really define what inspires you. For me, being present on dA throughout the day, I surround myself with images and keep a folder called "Inspiration Libraries" on my computer which becomes readily available. (You can download previous months of my libraries here: www.cinderblockstudios.com/lea… So whether your inspirations come from music, reading, art, talking with people, etc., you need to build an easily assessable library of inspirational materials to spark your imagination (See the show at: 0:26:12 or check the time codes in the description box). Additionally (while this wasn't a "set topic") finding artists both contemporary and historical that inspire and influence you can supercharge your process.
    The third tip is to build a habitual rhythm to your work. With my recent project with my second channel "Sketch Everyday" takes this tip into account and full practice. After about 2 weeks I stopped "feeling like" sketching everyday, but because I had reason to post and an audience that watches it gave me a third party to stay disciplined to sketch (even if those sketches turn out terrible). Check out the Sketch Everyday channel here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGses…
    Finally my last tip today is to have multiple project of different media and difficulty going on at the same time. In the studio I usually work with at least 2 or 3 projects off and on in a full day of artwork. That way when I'm feeling down or frustrated with a piece you can set it aside and work on something new. Then when you're tired of that new piece, you return to the first one and come back with new and better ideas on how to make the composition work and continue to grow. (More on this on the show at 1:06:24 or check the time codes in the description box)
    Now I'm not perfect here. I will still have days where I don't feel like working and just don't. Additionally, these tips are probably not full proof. So if you have any tips of your own to add, feel free to talk about them. It's very important to build a community of artists around yourself to stay inspired and keep you on track. And if nothing else our digital platforms like dA, Youtube, Facebook, will keep us in touch with other artists (just so long as you remember to get outside once and a while).
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