In an artist's slump? Experiencing artist block? All artists do from time to time. These artist's slumps can be very minor, yet depressing and last for only a few days; rather debilitating, very depressing and last for a few weeks; or very destructive, invoking substance abuseve and last for months to years. These art slumps/blocks are like spiritual black holes that slowly drain your creativity while filling the void that's left with insecurity and doubt.

Have you found yourself avoiding that painting that you've been working on? Do you make excuses why you're not doing your art lately and reiterate that your excuses are justified? You could be getting very close to that un-artistic black hole. The best way to get out of an artist's block is to not get to far into it to begin with. Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you might be avoiding your art because you feel blocked. If the answer is yes, question when you started feeling this way and what event may have triggered these feelings. Perhaps it was something a member of your household said or did, a lack of sales, a lack of space, a lack of notoriety, or a lack of inspiration. Often, I find that a little time spent on this type of soul-searching can locate the real cause of your slump so that you can fix the problem at it's root. For example: If you have had your studio arranged one way for a really long time, or have let too many things accumulate in this space, it can affect you without you even realizing it. Since you really don't feel like doing actual artwork, why not clean out your studio space or just rearrange the furniture? Not only will you be recharging the creative energy in your space but, during the process you will also be noticing bits and pieces of your art, your career and your dreams. Thoughts such as: Wow, I remember when I did that piece, or Here's a photo of that large oil painting I sold last year, I'd forgotten all about that, or Here's that list of painting ideas I made and promptly lost. I use this as an example because it really works for me.

Whether you are at the beginning of an artist's slump/block or smack dab in the middle of one, shot glass in hand, my advice is pretty much the same:

At least five days a week, take one hour each day and sit at your drawing table or easel. You can listen to music if you like. You don't have to do anything but sit there. I recommend doing this routinely, whether you're in a slump or not. While you're sitting there, if you want to doodle, that's fine. Perhaps, you could just quickly sketch out that idea that's been bouncing around in your head. You might find that you want to stay there longer than one hour - go for it. The point is to discipline yourself to be in your art space daily. Eventually, it becomes habit and grows. This is especially important if you depend on your art for your income and work from home.

Stay in close contact with your artist friends, join a local art group or start an art group of your own. The best way to avoid and get out of art slumps/blocks is to talk often to other artists. I find that helping artists out of their slumps by sharing contacts, helping them take photos for their portfolios or working on a project together can keep you from getting into a slump yourself. If you are the one with the block, share your feelings and concerns with your artist friends. They've all been there. You will be surprised to find that that problem or feeling that you think is unique to you, is really more common than you think. How did they get through it? Plus, a few ego strokes is a good tonic at a time like this and they carry more weight when coming from another artist.

If you don't have any other artist friends it's time to join a local art group. These groups are usually quite friendly (at least at first) and easy to join and attend. There are many types of art groups depending on where you live. Most art groups in smaller communities are rather general and welcome all types and levels of artists from the hobbyist to the professional painter. Unfortunately, these general art groups tend to be dominated more by the Sunday painters and crafts people so they tend to gain and lose their professional artist members rather quickly. It's best if you can find a group that is more specific to your art field and needs if possible. The most important thing to do is learn to make the best use of what is available to you. For Example: If you are a professional artist and join a general art group, perhaps it is in your nature to help those just beginning to hone their craft. If so, wonderful, stay in the group and perhaps you'll be sitting on their board next year. If not, try to get to know the other few artists like yourself and begin socializing with them outside the group. Eventually, you will cultivate other artist friends and can start your own small group more specific to your particular art needs and tastes.

Start an Image Source File: If you are like I am you come up with an idea but you don't have the resources to set up a scene, including models, to work from. Start an image source file. Everyone has magazines that they save and then want to get rid of. Take them. I have files labeled: flowers, landscapes, cityscapes, animals, males, females, nude males, nude females, holidays etc., all from various magazines that have been given to me. You must remember that these photographs are only to be used as reference material and that these photos are copyrighted. You cannot reproduce a photo from a magazine as a drawing or painting and sell it as your own. That's not art and that's not legal. You can take a picture of a cactus and paint it as one of many other elements in your painting. Anyway, take this time when you don't feel like actually doing artwork to grab an exato knife and tackle that stack of magazines that you have been collecting. Its wonderful how when you're flipping through magazines, looking at other artist's photographs, how much it makes you want to create your own work.

Learn to ignore un-requested and unwanted criticism of your artwork or art career choice. If I hadn't learned this important lesson, I wouldn't be an artist today. Although my parents recognized and encouraged my talent for art, when I made the decision to pursue art as a primary career they were quick with: Who's going to by your paintings? Do you really think you're good enough? What about Social Security? (I particularly like that one) and How are you going to live? Then whenever I proudly showed them what I was working on I got: Why do you paint like that? People don't look like that, why do you paint them that way? Can't you use more pastels? Why do you have to be so controversial? and Why can't you paint something that's just pretty for a change?

Everyone has an opinion about art and if they're not an artist it's usually based on their limited knowledge of the Old Masters and not on any artist after 1900. Also, even your closest friends may have a difficult time admitting that they admire your talent and out of jealously for your talent or the time you have to spend on your art, will come up with some rather immature criticisms. When you learn to consider the source of the criticism you will find much of it very transparent and it will just roll off your back.

Lack of inspiration? Get out of your house with art in your head. Take a photo walk. Grab your camera (if you don't have one pick up a few disposable ones including a panoramic camera) and go to the woods, downtown, a friends beautiful flower garden or a park. Once or twice a year I like to go to Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lakefront or the Loop in Chicago and take several rolls of film of people, places and things. Sometimes I photograph things that I think would make a great painting and other times I'm not sure why I'm taking a particular photo. It's difficult not to at least get a little inspired by this outing. Whether you use the photos in the near future is immaterial. I have photos that I have taken that didn't get used in my art for over 10 years.

Lack of Sales or Notoriety? Who hasn't been here? Personally, I feel that if your main goal is to become rich and famous through your art, you should give-up art as a career immediately. Most art that makes a mark on this world comes from artists who would rather die than not create. Unfortunately, if you live and breath art and depend on it for your main source of income, a lack of sales or notoriety is a real problem. The cause of this problem is often the artist's fault. Most artists don't like to promote themselves and ignore the business end of their career. I have been guilty of this myself. We as artists unrealistically believe that all we have to do is stay in our studios and create masterpieces that will be miraculously discovered by someone who knows someone who owns a big city gallery that will discover us for the overlooked art masters that we are. Think again. Art is contacts, contacts and more contacts. My Aunt Rose once said to me Better on their walls than on yours! That's very good advice. Enter art contests, juried exhibits, or contact area restaurants or businesses that could use a new look every month (just make sure that you or the business insures the art that you would show).

Take a good hard look at the slide portfolio that you are sending out. Is it out of date? Does it show only the best of your work? We in this society learn that more is better, but in art, that's not true. Only include your best work in a portfolio. If a prospective client or gallery wants to see more you can invite them to your studio where you will feel more confident. Keep your portfolio simple. Include numbered slides, a comprehensive list of the slides with Title, Medium, and Size, a one page resume of exhibits, a short artist statement, contact information, short cover letter, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE).

Create an Internet portfolio of your work. If you have a computer and an Internet provider you probably have free web page space available to you. That's how this site got started. When I first started Cegur's Chimera Gallery I was using AOL and had five screen names. Each one had limited free web space available. Because the images of my work had to be spread out over several screen names I created a Gallery with several floors, The Main Lobby, Second Floor and Artist's Loft. Even though, Cegur's Chimera Gallery is now a "dot com" and a separate entity from my Internet provider, I have still maintained the three floors (though made obsolete by the side menu) for old times sake. The Internet as we know it hasn't really been around that long (since around 1995) and I'm certain that people don't feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars on an art piece that they see on a web site (at least not yet), but it's a great way for millions of people to see your art for the first time and to get your name out. It's certainly easier to give a perspective client or gallery owner your card with your web portfolio address then it is to pack-up and send your slide portfolio.

Is your life-partner or other members of your household giving you grief about the time you spend on your art or the art itself? I consider myself truly lucky in this respect. My life-partner constantly informs me that my artwork and creativity is truly important and it doesn't matter whether I am selling or not. I really don't feel qualified to give advice on this subject. I don't have children but if I did I'm sure they would take precedence over my art but, my mate knew from the beginning that my art comes first in my life and everything and everyone else is second. Keep that in mind and if you have a problem with your spouse or family members that cannot be resolved through honest conversation, seek professional counseling. Don't destroy yourself for anyone else.

Well, that's about all I have on the subject. Artist slumps/blocks are very complex and I don't mean to simplify them. It is important to understand that they are usually rooted in other aspects of our lives and that's where they really need to be solved.