What Stops You Painting? (Beat your Creative Blocks!)
So many people have the urge to do something creative like a spot of painting…. The number of people that actually put brush to paper? Considerably less!
Why is that? What stops us painting?
I think it all boils down to the stories we tell ourselves. So let’s figure out what those stories are so that we can beat our creative blocks and experience the enjoyment and relaxation of indulging our creativity.
Mental health is essential - let’s take the fun path to wellness.
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to paint and chat with my friend Mary Gunn who has a video podcast that is all about this very thing.
I’m so happy to introduce Mary (if you haven’t already come across her). We had such a great time talking about creativity and at about the 25 minute mark in the video we moved to our art tables so that we could play with our supplies while we talked… want to see?
Whether we realise it or not probably all the stories (excuses) we tell ourselves that stop us creating are based in fear. It is nothing more than our natural programming to avoid the risk of harm. Its perfectly reasonable and it is just the way we are built.
We might be scared of wasting time, or money, or space in our homes. We might be scared of revealing that we don’t know how to do something.
We all have our own individual takes on these fears and create our own stories. They are still stories and we can change them at any time if they are not serving us.
The first step is to figure out what your own stories are. Step 2 is to ask ourselves if any of the story is true. If it isn’t, we can find a better story to tell ourselves next time one of our creative blocks gets in the way.
Let’s review and challenge some of the most pervasive stories and find some more helpful alternatives. These are just some ideas - I hope you will be able to use them as a starting point for creating your own versions in the words that come naturally to you.
If you would like to skip ahead to the creative block that you relate to the most here’s a quick link…
Limiting Story #1
I’m a productive adult - I should be doing something more useful with my time.
Is Limiting Story #1 really true?
Ah yes, the burden of being a responsible adult.
Now, what constitutes ‘useful’?
Do you have to produce something that you can physically use?
What about exercise? Meditation? Are they useful?
They don’t produce a physical product, but we generally accept that they are a productive use of our time. While no tangible product is created, those activities make us more productive.
When we are fitter, stronger, and calmer we cope better with everything else. People don’t meditate to become great at meditating - they meditate to become good at life.
I think it is the same with indulging our creativity. We don’t have to paint to become brilliant artists. I think that drawing and painting is a perfect meditation for people who don’t like meditating.
It is an easy mindfulness practice that takes you out of your worries for a short time and into the present moment. In the process, you get to hone your observation skills, your problem solving abilities and your hand eye coordination. Not to mention the wellness benefits of a little fun and relaxation!
Painters are joyful, relaxed people. Now that’s productive.
New Story #1
Painting is a part of my wellness practice - it makes me happier, more relaxed and therefore more productive.
Limiting Story #2
I’m not good enough at art to justify spending time on it.
Is Limiting Story #2really true?
Ah good enough…
That old chestnut. A thing that plagues most of us in one area of life or another. When it comes to art, let’s remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ‘Good’ art is entirely subjective.
This really is a fear based problem. Of course we want to avoid the risk of revealing that we are inadequate/incompetent at something. So here is the solution. Don’t show your art to anyone. Problem solved. It is perfectly alright to have this private hobby that no one knows about.
I hear versions of this story very often from my students.
Often it stems from a thoughtless comment from an art teacher or family member when we were very young. Those hurtful comments tend to stick. They can form a part of our identity.
We just accept that we are no good at drawing or painting because Mrs Jones said so when we were 7.
What does Mrs Jones really know? And so what?
We have every right to paint regardless of our skill level (which will only improve anyway).
Talent is a myth. It really describes the spending of enough time doing something to have learned a bit about it.
If an accountant like me can learn to paint, anyone can.
Don’t let Mrs Jones put you in a box.
Perhaps you are now saying that its not just other people’s opinions that concern you, but your own. We usually are our own worst critics.
What if you let go of the idea that you needed to be ‘good’?
What if the goal is just to enjoy the tactile experience of painting?
Paint for the process, not for the final product.
Do you sing in the shower? Even those of us who are completely tone deaf and have no hope of carrying a tune can belt out a bit of Car Karaoke or be a Diva in the shower … can’t we?
It makes us feel good regardless of our singing ability. It can be the same with our painting.
New Story #2
I already have all the skills I need to enjoy painting.
Limiting Story #3
I’m too old- I’ve left it too late to start learning now.
Is Limiting Story #3 really true?
Tomorrow you will be a bit older, so better get on with it. Just saying… 😉
In all seriousness, studies have shown that the brain continues to learn and grow throughout our life - its called neuroplasticity. I didn’t taking up painting until much later in life and I promise I am not the only one - late bloomers rule… 👍
Learning is no longer the privilege of youth we might have once thought it to be. Our adult brains are capable of forming new neural pathways too.
On a really practical note it is also worth remembering that there are many different ways to go about learning anything. There is no need to limit ourselves with ideas about defined learning pathways - there is nothing stopping you jumping and learning by doing.
You don’t have to feel like you are going back to school to learn to paint.
Take one of my tutorials and you’ll see what I mean. You don’t have to learn to draw before you begin or take a whole lot of boring art theory lessons.
Just paint along step by step and enjoy yourself.
New Story #3
I’m always learning new things with ease.
Limiting Story #4
I’m too busy- I just don’t have the time!
Is Limiting Story #4 really true?
This is one that nearly always has a grain of truth to it - we are all busy these days!
But how much time would your art actually take?
What if you came up with a little tiny project that you could complete in a few minutes? One of my most successful projects started when I participated in the 100 day project.
I chose a small square sketchbook and limited my supplies to 3 watercolours and one drawing tool. Every day I set a timer for 10 minutes and drew a little whimsical person.
10 minutes is such a small time investment that it really doesn’t matter if your drawing that day turns out terrible. And you had a 10 minute time limit so the pressure is off - no one expects a masterpiece in 10 minutes!
What sort of project could you give yourself with a time limit like this?
New Story #4
My small and manageable art practice fits easily into my busy life.
Limiting Story #5
Art Supplies are a waste of money!
Is Limiting Story #5 really true?
I do understand the possible guilt we sometimes feel for spending money on art supplies.
We would probably buy a set of crayons for a child and not feel the need to justify that purchase. Creativity is so important for kids, right?
Psst… creativity is important for grown ups - we need to play too!
In my book, art supplies come from the wellness budget and when you think of it that way it is pretty cheap therapy!
You really don’t need to spend a fortune on art supplies either. Some of the most vibrant, easiest to find, and easiest to use art supplies are inexpensive children’s supplies. Perfectly adequate and a lot of fun to use.
I have a LOT to say about art supplies.
I even wrote a fractured fairy tale about it…. And I have a whole class on watercolour supplies if you want to find out which things are worth your budget and which are not. It is completely free and you can sign up below.
New Story #5
Art is cheap therapy!
Limiting Story #6
I don’t have room in my home for an art studio!
Is Limiting Story #5 really true?
Yes a large airy studio… preferably near a beach IS ideal.
No, most of us do not have this. 😕
But what space do you really need?
Rather than making yourself wait for the perfect art space to miraculously present itself how about tailoring your art practice to suit the space you have available?
A small sketchbook and a travel set of watercolours fits into a handbag. Um, I think we all have space for that!
Maybe you have a planner already, could you do a tiny daily doodle of some sort?
Maybe you could draw over yesterday’s page… ooo actually, that sounds rather satisfying. The key is to make it small, fun and easy.
This is actually another reason why I love watercolor so much. It is a very low maintenance endeavour.
Set up and clean up is a breeze!
You only need a little space on the table to put your sketchbook on and could even paint on your lap if you really wanted to!
New Story #6
I have all the space I need to indulge my creativity.
Did I miss any important pesky creative blocks that plague you?
Please write and tell me if I missed any!
Are you on your own painting journey?
One of these might be useful…