“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.

Tayla Evans

Artist’s block is a phenomenon every creative person experiences – to me, I try to look at it as less than an obstacle to creating and more of a part of the natural process of creating. It’s an imperfect metaphor – but even the most efficient machines can’t run constantly; they need time to recalibrate. It can still be incredibly frustrating, as an illustrator, even when I’m facing art block, I’m never really out of things to draw, but it’s like an imposter has taken over my body and has forgotten all of my core objectives. Read More>> 

Leoul Mekonnen

Whenever I hit a creative block, I try not to force it. I’ll step back and switch up my environment sometimes. I like listening to music, watching movies, and tv shows to sparks new ideas. Praying has also helped me stay grounded where I am and realize you can’t rush the creativity journey of being a creative director. I’ve found that looking back at my older work reminds me how far I’ve come and gives me a fresh angle and how to learn and build into the next project that I have. For me, it’s about staying consistent and letting creativity flow back in naturally in me instead of stressing over it. Read More>> 

Brianna Rae Quinn

I often find myself in a headspace communicating, “I want to create something, but I don’t know what to create.” Substitute that word “create” for anything, like write, or paint, or sing.

Truthfully, it is a collection of exceptionally left-brained strategies that keep me inspired.
I keep lists in my devices, or notebook paper at my bedside. (I’m sure everyone can relate to having an idea just before bed and hoping we’ll remember it come morning!)  Read More>> 

John Michael Rouchell

I am a music producer, composer, and songwriter, in turn, creativity and the pitfalls therein are a daily challenge. What I have found as a professional creative over the last 20 years is their are two mindsets that are necessary to solving a creative problem or creating something: the dreamer and the editor. The Dreamer creates. Everything is beautiful to the dreamer. Possibilities are endless. The Dreamer is an additive state. All that said, the Dreamer never finishes and gets something done. The Editor is the exact opposite. The Editor questions everything. The Editor looks for the optimal solution. The endless has to be turned into a finite thing. The Editor arranges and frames but cannot create. Read More>> 

Jonathan Keith

In my world, the clock is always ticking. Sometimes a cue is due that night, or first thing in the morning; and if it’s for an overseas client, it might be both. In other words, there’s rarely time to just “sleep on it.”

Recently, I scored the music for a delightful animated series “Legends of Evergreen Hills.” There was one pivotal scene the showrunners kept sending back. Normally, I avoid writer’s block by following my gut on the very first watch where I sit at my keyboard with the scene playing, jotting down my emotional reactions in real time. That first instinct is like gold. Read More>> 

Brooke Lucas

I’ve overcome creative blocks by revisiting my older work to remind myself how much I’ve grown as an artist. Looking back helps me tap back into the excitement I felt when I first started and it gives me the push I need to keep going. I also watch films for inspiration—sometimes seeing how stories are told visually helps spark new ideas. When I’m experiencing creative blocks and struggling to pick up my camera, I take a break from pressure-filled shoots and just hang out with friends or family. I bring my digital camera along and capture whatever catches my eye—no pressure, just fun. Read More>> 

Taylor Wendell Lozano

Writer’s block has been something I actively work against since starting as a writer. In my years creating, I have seen a number of folks lay claim to it as a mental block to keep from writing, often being afraid of actually approaching a subject. Previously, I worked with adults with developmental and physical disabilities, specifically as an acting coach and writing teacher, and found many folks face issue with simply beginning ideas, due to the expectations they had for themselves and how their work was received.  Read More>> 

Kara Snowden

I used to struggle with writer’s block a lot in college, especially when I started writing seriously. One day I asked one of my professors for advice, and she told me, “writer’s block doesn’t exist.” When I asked what she meant, she explained that the brain is always working—it just sometimes needs to go on input before we can output. Once she said that, a whole new way of writing opened up for me. Read More>> 

Jean Coenders

As a teenager I worked the cash register in a supermarket. This area wasn’t exactly known for it’s youthful population, so many of my customers were chatty retirees. I’ve heard many tales, of swashbuckling adventures on cargo ships, to heart-wrenching love stories spanning decades. And all were told to the backdrop of beeping machines and the rustling of many plastic bags. It made one thing very clear to me; If there’s a life there’s a story. Read More>> 

Eddy Ruyter

I feel as though most of my success in this area comes from approach more than anything. It’s easy to sit back and say “Oh, I’ll just wait for inspiration to come.” But I don’t think it’s really about that. Everything takes practice, and practice takes time and dedication.

In my mind, the first step is accepting that not everything is going to be your best work. Maybe the next few hours lead to writing a song that never gets released. Maybe they’re spent practicing a solo that you’ll never play live. But now you’re that many steps closer to your next single, or to playing something you’re incredibly proud of.  Read More>>