Rekindling your creative flow

Many artists start painting with enthusiasm, only to lose momentum.. If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Your Inspiration and intuition haven’t deserted you. It’s most likely one of these common pitfalls are hindering your progress. Let’s dig in and learn how to recognize and resolve them in order to reignite your creative flow.

Pitfall #1 - Ignoring intuitive nudges

Are you dismissing your inner voice? Perhaps you yearn to paint whimsical figures but dismiss it as “childish.” Are you known as a landscape painter with a distinctive style but secretly yearn to paint abstract? Or, like me, you might reach for pink and orange, but opt for “safer” blues that supposedly sell better.

Ignoring these intuitive tugs stifles your creativity. Even if the reason isn’t immediately clear, trust the nudges. Sometimes it’s guiding us to experience more joy in the moment. Other times it’s leading us to an experience that will inform and enrich our work. Prioritize recognizing and acting on your intuitive hits.

Pitfall #2 - Relying too much on intuition

Intuition is a powerful partner, not a sole solution. If you’re struggling, provide your intuition with an intention. Choose something that delights or intrigues you. This could be a subject, a color, a technique, or an emotion. This focus acts as a radio dial, helping your intuition tune into something specific with which to funnel it’s energy and inspiration. I keep a note book of some of my favorite images - art with thin lines, organic patterns, black and white checks, fairies, angels, animals … you get the idea. If ever I feel stuck, I pull out that notebook and choose an aspect to focus on. It fires me up again and inspiration and intuition soon start flowing again.

TIP: Follow your curiosity

Last summer, I was intrigued by how some of my favorite artists have blendy, soft focus areas in their paintings (artists like Kerry Schroeder and Kathleen Rietz). It reminded me of morning mist rising from the river when I kayak. I followed my curiosity by taking time to explore and experiment with how they might create that affect in their paintings. I discovered that a filbert brush works pretty well, but what I loved best was how I could a create a soft watery look using a scrunch up paper towel to blend edges of the paint.

Following the breadcrumbs of my curiosity, lead to a whole new series - the Marshscapes. Here’s one of my favorites:

Curiosity leads to discovery

Don’t let these pitfalls hold you back from creating the art that truly speaks to your soul. Remember, your intuition is a powerful ally, but it needs to be balanced with intention and curiosity. The next time you feel stuck, try tuning into those inner nudges, setting a clear intention, or following your curiosity. Your unique artistic voice is waiting to be heard. Why not pick up that brush right now and start exploring? Your next masterpiece could be just a few strokes away. Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below – let’s inspire each other to keep creating!