Maya Angelou famously said “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” but I am sure I am not alone in not struggling with the concept, especially at the moment.
Anyone who knows me personally will know that I have battled with my mental health for over half my life and despite an amazing support circle, the right medication and a whole toolbox of tools, sometimes my mood just dips that little bit lower than normal and despite a real urge to create (something, anything !!!) nothing appears.
I am by no means an expert and I sat here writing this rather than creating, so read into that as you may, but there are a few things I have been doing recently to try a keep my creative spark alive until something clicks and I can spend a few hours creating for me again.
1. Keeping up with my favourite creators on Social Media
Dina Wakley is a huge inspiration of mine after first seeing her on YT a few years ago, and she has been so generous with her time during the whole pandemic. At the start of the year she was hosting daily lives on her Facebook specific topics (from her products to art styles to dealing with specific concerns), later adding in regular online classes to her schedule and she has now set up a supporters hub which for only $5 a month has been a huge source of inspiration (think Patreon but on facebook).
My favourite free tutorial thus far has been her 'White Space' tutorial and my favourite paid for class has been "Beyond the Black Ink Pad"
Her tutorials have inspired a whole journal full of work that I will treasure
2. Being inspired by those with similar interests
Having found an artist whose style I really admire in Dina I have found it fun to try and curate my social media circles (facebook , Youtube and IG) around people who are also inspired by Dina.
This is especially interesting as Dina has a product line and given she designed it she obviously uses it in specific ways but put it in the hands of other creatives, the possibilites are endless.
Ranger Ink (who release Dina's products ) aslso have a project section which great for gleaning inspiracyopn,
Through the project section I found Megan Whisner Quinlan who I now follow on IG and Youtube as her tutorials (in both places) are fantastic.
She has an IGTV tutorial on watercolour botanicals and these have become my goto when I just need to move my hands.
I also am a member of the Dina Wakley Media Kindred Artists facebook group and the artwork that is shared there on a daily basis is phenomenal.
From the facebook group i found two fantastic YouTubers Niamh Baly and Shannon from BA Creative who both have completely different styles yet they use the same products.
3. Trying something new
I posted back in April about the #standwithsmall movement and at the time I suggested I wanted to try embroidery and weaving to complement my art journalling. So over the last few months, I have done just that.
My weaving has started small with small pieces being either woven directly into my journals or added ontop of a background but I hope to grow this practice with time.
To date, I have invested a bit more time and money into learning to embroider and I am having so much fun learning a completely new skill.
I have mainly been using kits, and my favourite kits to date have been from Wild Floss Embroidery on Etsy as the results (even for me as a beginner) are just beautiful.
How do you keep your creative well full? I would love to know so please share your favourite tips and tricks and links to your own social media as I love finding new people to follow.
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