Why Artists Should Write: Breaking Through Creative Blocks

The day started with skies that grew grayer by the hour until darkness became rain. The studio is chilly, smells musty, and there aren’t enough lights to keep the gloom from spreading.

This is not a day conducive to creativity, but it’s my job to be creative.

I reach for my sketchbook and for the same 1938 Women’s World magazine that inspired my last collage. Five minutes later, I have a collage. In my journal, I write half a page of notes about what I’m thinking as I look at the collage and remaining text on the stove advertisement I used for the piece. The notes become a paragraph of text:

“I’m happy, so happy. The products I need are at my fingertips for this perfect life. Beauty and ease, that’s what matters. And look, my husband bought me a new stove. Cookies?”

I glue some panels from a comic strip style advertisement for salt into my sketchbook, and head upstairs. Sitting on the couch, I try again.

“I’m his clever girl.

Or a misery.

Honey, which am I today?

Pass the salt.

My wounds need feeding.”

Dark as the day.

And what happens next after this quick bit of art and writing?

Creative energy.

Forward momentum towards completing your next creative task.

You don’t need to write fiction for this to work; try writing about the weather, the kind of day you’re having, or why you’re stuck. Sure, you could take a nap instead, but creativity feeds creativity.

Breaking Through: A Workshop for Artists Who Don't Write (Yet)
Instructor: Sarah Z Short
Tuesdays, 5 weeks
May 13 - June 10
9am - 12pm