Dear fellow creatives...tips and tricks on leading a creative life

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

As the title suggests, this thread is pretty much exactly as per the thread title. In some ways, I feel as though I'm a bit of a creative rut, which is awful when you're a creative person.

So I thought that I would try to ask for inspiration in terms of ideas and stories from fellow creatives. Hopefully other people also find this thread helpful in terms of reading and sharing.

So whether you're a professional or amateur graphic designer, industrial designer, architect, musician, writer, choreographer, dancer, landscaper, etc, etc...I would LOVE to hear your tips and anecdotes on how you inject creativity in your world and how your keep the creative spark alive.

Thank you!

Pepper

[SubduedBlues]

Hi Pepper

I draw and paint as a leisure activity. Also, it helps me better manage my stress, which in turn affects my tics frequency and severity; the more stressed I am the worse they are.

Anyhow, whenever I find myself in a creative rut I go about drawing/painting what I see. But not everything that I see, just one simple part. Then move. Pick a new object and add one simple part. Move. Pick. Simple part. Move. Pick. Simple part. Move. Pick. Simple part. Then, after having a few different and unrelated things, I try to connect them together into a new artwork.

For example: I have this half done painting of a tree with a broken bough (saw that in Camden), a split rail fence in the background (from some TV show), some bushes from the local park. Currently thinking an old tractor tyre next to the tree would be a good idea. Most all of my paintings are a hodge-podge of many things and places.

It is said that the best lies are based on a hint of truth, so perhaps what you need to do is go read some non-fiction and find something that you are interested in. Then add in your layer of murder, or mystery, or adventure, or whatever genre you like to write in. Having the under-story based on reality makes the store all that more believable (and enjoyable) to read.

Hope this helps
SB

[Peppermintbach]

Hi all,

Ugh, I'm so annoyed with myself...

I thank you all for your responses, which I always learn something from.

I will definitely get back to each one of you but I just want to vent right this moment...

As I mentioned before, my strange brain sometimes creates these fantastical images in my heads. The artwork that I create (based on those images) freak some of my friends out but they don't freak me out at all. If anything, it's the polar opposite. When I see those images, it's a release.

It's my strange brain processing emotions and it sometimes comes out as surreal images in my head. I know those images are not real but they're symbolic of things that have happened. I quite literally see sudden flashes of fantastical creatures, etc, and yes, I will just reiterate that I realise they aren't real. Symbolism, not realism.

Anyway, I had another visual flash- don't know what else to call it- earlier this morning. But I've lost it; I can't recall what I saw and I didn't sketch it or anything. It's gone which is super frustrating. Off to sulk.

Talk soon and kind thoughts to all 🙂

Pepper

[SubduedBlues]

"had another visual flash....But I've lost it; I can't recall "

I absolutely hate it when that happens. Worse when you start the painting and get halfway through and the image has left my mind. And, I cannot remember what the rest of the picture is supposed to look like. I must have a dozen half finished canvasses laying about waiting for that visualization to return.

And, then, when you finally give up on that one that has been sitting there for months, and go to over-paint it with the latest visualization... only then does the original vision return... and I've buggered up the canvass with something new. And now it's, quite literally, lost forever. Upsets me to the point that I cannot focus on the new picture either, so I end up just throwing the canvas in the bin.

On the other hand, I do have a sketch pad beside the bed for when I am awakened with a new idea in mind. Then I struggle to read what I wrote when I was half asleep last night. Humph!

Thanks for your post. I feel better now. 🙂

SB

[Peppermintbach]

Hi one and all,

James- oh wow, The Dark Knight. I saw that ages ago when it was first out in cinemas, and only vaguely remember it now. Gosh, I can't recall the soundtrack as Heath Ledger's performance sort of stole the show for me.

I looked up Discombobulate, and while I didn't listen to the whole album, I did check out that piece. I like it- it's pretty cool. I haven't seen the movie but that piece does scream "quirky mystery!" to me 🙂

Hamsolo- I always enjoy reading your posts. Yes, creativity (in its many different guises) is a source of "sanity" for so many of us. Keeps us afloat.

Yeah, airports are fascinating places. People coming and going from all walks of life. The word that comes to mind when I'm in an airport in an unfamiliar country or city is "wonder." Yes, travel is amazing- do as much as you can is my perspective.

I'm happy to hear that you'll be travelling after graduation. See the world, broaden your horizons and make memories. It's cool that your parents met while travelling. Maybe you will and maybe you won't meet that special someone while travelling but here's hoping that you do 🙂 And even if you don't, I hope you still have a wonderful time and have many adventures.

I love trying new things too. I get bored out of my brain if I get too comfortable. There's only so much routine that I can handle before I start feeling loopy and cranky. Lol!

SB- thank you so much for sharing some of your creative rut tips. You sound like a dedicated painter/artist.

I like your advice on painting bits and pieces when we are in a bit of a rut. Your hodge podge paintings sound interesting- many different elements and sources of inspiration.

Oh yes, I can definitely empathise with your frustration when you lose the image in your head. I agree that it's even worse when you've already started painting. It can be very aggravating when that happens. I tend to take a break and do something else as I'm too annoyed to focus if that happens to me. Coffee breaks are good during those moments.

Thanks everyone 🙂

Kind thoughts to all,

Pepper

[Peppermintbach]

Hi fellow humans,

Subtopic: dance music!

I'm going to trial subtopic headings in an attempt to organise my scattered musings on the broad topic of creativity. Lol.

Anyway, the reason that I suddenly decided to bring up dance music is I've personally found that when I'm having a bit of a rough and uninspired day ("doona days") that dance music perks me up a bit.

Had a bit of a rough day and tried listening to different playlists but some of my old favourites left me feeling kind of flat. So I checked out a dance music playlist, and before I knew it, I was tapping my feet (and would have broken into dance had I not been in public) including Sun Comes Up and More Than You Know.

So here's to the power of dance music 🙂

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Just Sara]

Hey Pepper;

Great thread topic!

My creative rut busters rely more on practical application than artistic, or as well as. My fave is to move furniture around a room and add trinkets and such to create something that feels new. A new colour scheme makes me happy.

I do this with clothing as well. An old dress or night gown can turn into a stuffed animal. Sewing clothes or hand-stitching (embroidered) a tea-towel gets the juices flowing as well as a form of mindfulness. Actually, all these activities keep me grounded.

My friend sent me a copy of some photographs he'd put together with the most beautiful music in the background. Specific music was chosen to compliment each section of pic's; I played it over and again. I've been wanting to do something like this but time eludes.

I'm like Shelley too; I love to create meals/recipe's that are uniquely mine. My mum argues about a family pasta dish I developed when I was 18 that everyone loved; she swears it's hers. Ahh...Nuh-ah. I hate it when that happens 😞

Sara

[HamSolo01]

was curious what people listen to (music wise lol) when they are going through a rough patch with their MH?

Here are 4 that come to mind 🙂

Sound of Silence - Disturbed (Cover)

Pavane pour une infante dufunte - Maurice Ravel

What If - Coldplay

Not Perfect - Tim Minchin

[quirkywords]

Pepper, I love this thread and all the topics and ideas.

I like doing things differently just for fun. I like sitting in different positions and levels around my place. I like opening a book at random and pointing to a word and then write about that word.

I like wearing dress ups down the street or to supermarket and watching people stare.

Subtopic:who decides what is creative?

Can anything be creative? Are there rules?

Pepper I wanted to try the subtopic. Thanks.

Quirky

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Sara- thanks for dropping in and the supportive words 🙂 Creatively practical projects are clearly your preferred artistic outlet. Yes, colour can be immensely powerful.

Sewing seems like a winner for you- creative and grounding. You must find it pretty cathartic. I have to admit that I don't even remember how to sew as I only dabbled in it for a high school design and tech class. Lol.

You sound like you cook up quite the storm at your place. It must have been a really good pasta dish if your mum is trying to take credit! You must make a great host 🙂

Hamsolo- I appreciate your playlist. Thank you! Hmm...good question and honestly, it depends on my mood.

If I'm in the mood to have a cry, I tend to opt for something sad. Symphony no. 40 in G minor, KV. 550 Mozart, is a personal favourite (extremely famous so you've probably heard of it). It's actually kind of tragic sounding but great for a cry.

If I want to be cheered up or am in need of some motivation, I'll opt for more upbeat music. One of my go-to songs for motivation and cheering up is I Lived (arty remix) by One Republic, which is all about celebrating both the ups and downs of life and that "you give it all you have", which is coincidentally one of the lines 🙂

Quirky- thank you, I'm pleased that you're enjoying this thread. I love all your ideas but I must admit, the one that caught my attention was the dress-ups one. Love it. That's right, go rock the frock! Or "rock" whatever...

I think it's fantastic that you experiment fashion-wise as I think many people don't always see costume/fashion as a creative outlet. I have worn some pretty experimental and outrageous pieces in my time and don't regret any of them 😉

About your question, it's a good question that I feel could easily be a book title. Personally, my answer is "I don't know."

BUT I think there is a political aspect in creativity where people in influential positions can make up unofficial "rules", which the "masses" are likely to follow (even if the wider public don't realise they are doing it).

For example, fashion editors can dictate what constitutes creative in the fashion world. Triple J can, to an extent, give the stamp of "approval" to new music. Conductors and music professors might have a different take on "creativity" compared to the general public. Etc, etc.

Interesting question...thanks Quirky!

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Just sharing my musings...

I was watching something online about a 71 year old women who started learning ballet later in life than most, and graduated from the royal academy of dance in 2016. Her story was exactly as most would expect: inspiring. I guess it goes back to not being bound by expectations regarding age. I realise it's probably a whole lot easier said than done but "if there's a will..."

Dance holds a special place in my heart (cringes at how cheeseballish that sounds) and has been one of my (many) personal forms of "therapy." Sometimes the best outlet for me, and many others, is to just turn the music up and let the beat take over. Pirouette, crunk, head bang, shimmy, shake...it's quite literally a physical release, not to mention great cardio. Obviously if you have physical health issues, be mindful of that and see your doctor first...

I've personally found that I can "dance out" the pain sometimes and life just hurts a bit less for a while. Speaking of dance, that's exactly what I'll be doing tonight. In terms of coping, I dance to let out the pain, make art to give the pain a "face" and music is to give pain a "voice." Release. See. Hear. FEEL.

Kind thoughts to all,

Pepper