“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

Even with all the courage in the world, every creative will eventually run into a creative block, so we asked some of our favorite creatives to share how they overcome creative blocks.

Valentine Nwenyi

Writers block in my opinion is the equivalent of starvation. At least to me, the desperation I feel to get food while starving is how I crave to beat a writers block. To overcome it is to not think, just do. I’ve beaten it a few times, and other times, it has beaten me, but it is always the victor who tells the story, hence my being here. Read More>>

Jonathan Charles

I’ll start by recommending a book called “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin. It’s a wonderful book about the process of being an artist with wonderful suggestions and how to frame the challenges that artists face. Whenever I sit down to write, act or create, I have to know the emotional core of the story I am telling. I need to know why I care. Not why the audience may care. Not who will relate to this. How do *I* relate to this? Why does the story move me? Every time I’ve struggled with a creative block it’s because I’ve lost sight of that core answer.  Read More>>

Maq Martin

I am fortunate to be a person with a lot of different hobbies and interests and to make art that is often inspired by my other hobbies. If I’m feeling stuck in my art, I have options on how else to spend my time. Oftentimes, that looks like moving my body, whether that’s going on a walk with my dog, running, rock climbing, yoga, or hiking. During these times of movement I try to focus in on what my body is feeling or needing as well as the environment around me, noticing colors, shapes, patterns, and different visual cues in the world to recenter myself and find inspiration in the mundane moments and things we get used to seeing. Read More>>