We recently connected with Lori Bauman and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
The dreaded creative block. I’ve had a few over the years, and in fact, as recently as this year. Sometimes the very practices that fuel my creativity are the practices that can block creativity. Routines are great. They’re efficient. They’re productive….until they’re not. Until they’re too repetitive, boring, predictable or cliche. At times, I get blocked or stuck mid-project. I may know what I want to accomplish but I don’t know how to get there. Sometimes the big picture and finish line seems so far away, it’s overwhelming. Other times, I don’t really know what I want and find beginning a project the difficult part. What surprises me the most is when these blocks come on the heels of a very productive cycle. After surviving my share of these blocks, I can honestly say that today these blocks hardly bother me.
Over the years, I’ve put together a few processes to push me through a block. I use New York University phycologist Adam Alter’s, research on the idea of a “Goal Gradient” to help me understand the life cycle of blocks. This research can be applied to physical and mental activities. In Alter’s studies, he finds for most people, the beginning of a project is most motivating, we’re inspired, less likely to be blocked. Often that’s true, but what to do when I can’t muster any enthusiasm or an idea for a new project? Those times when nothing seems exciting anymore? I take on a new challenge, reintroduce some stress into my life that will require growth. It can be a physical challenge or a mental challenge. I’ll study a new language. Music. Play games. Cook. Get inspired. Leave my comfort zone. Gain a new perspective. Learn new skills. I introduce change. As much change as possible. I change my environment. Get outside. Travel if I can. The further, the better. Get physical. Your brain works differently when your body is moving. Physical activity floods our brain with hormones and chemicals that can help push us out of a creative slump. Movement and action help cognitive and creative function. I change my patterns. What I do, where I go, what I eat, what I listen to, what I look at, how I socialize and who I spend time with. Sometimes these efforts produce a quick result and motivate me back to work. Sometimes it takes a while. Progress is not always a straight line. Be patient with yourself but set boundaries and timelines on when you will get back to work.
More commonly, the Goal Gradient says most of us get stuck in the middle of our projects. We plateau. This is where the grind happens. This is where the work can get tedious and repetitive. Gains are small and slow. When my block comes in the middle of a project I find I’m often bored by process or stalled by a technical problem. What should you do when the deadline is closing in and motivation is lacking? Create sub goals. This shrinks the middle of the goal gradient and feels like progress is being made. Find smaller victories to measure. This provides motivation to keep pushing through. Are you a perfectionist? Sometimes good enough must be, well, good enough. In reaching for perfection, we never finish. All or nothing thinking as a creative generally doesn’t work. Me? I make small promises to myself. And keep them. Likely, I’ve also made promise to others. I keep them. I celebrate the small gains. I look back just long enough to see how far I’ve come. I seek out others’ opinions I value. A quick critique. This alone, often changes my viewpoint and creates new motivation.
Lastly, when the end is in sight, that Goal Gradient shows most of us get quicker and glide directly towards the finish line. If that’s you, fabulous. I break from the herd on this one. My interest often dries up as I get near completion of a project. The thinking part of my creative process has been completed and I find the task of wrapping up the details tedious. What makes me drive through this block and finish? For me, it’s a moral decision. I’ve promised myself I’m a person that follows through…. on promises to myself and others. I meet my deadlines and keep my word. One thing is certain. In order to succeed or break through a block at any point, you must stay in the game. It’s a journey. Down cycles happen. Let them. This is your incubation period. But the breaks must be intentional and limited. Just as shots on goal win games, prolific artists get further and succeed more often. Get out of your own way. Take action. Finish what you start. Remember the goal gradient? The phycologist assures us that as we near our goals, our motivation picks up again and action speeds up. Just keep moving, the victory may be closer than we think.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
After many years of working as a community artist, teaching and co-founding a nonprofit art and education center, I’m now back to focusing on my own art practice. Working with themes inspired by the translation of ancient myths, rituals, cultural norms, traditions, fairy tales and religion has been my foundation for nearly thirty years. These topics are eternally fertile and continue to hold my attention. Using these narratives with my mixed media artworks and integrating them into fashion work is the direction my work is heading now.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities most impactful to my creative life and really to life in general, have been; Being forever curious and interested in anything and everything creative. Constantly adding and honing technical skills, adding to my professional network, and a willingness to try something new.
Not being afraid to help others succeed.
Being quick to pivot if something is not working.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m actively seeking collaborators! What I and many other artists lack is marketing and selling know how. My recent block is really a deficit in marketing skills. I’m looking for a partner, collaborator or agent that can move me through this part of an art business. I’m also always motivated by opportunities to work with others in any number of creative ventures and welcome contact!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loribauman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_labstudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063912949310
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-bauman-79b58a5/
