★ dealing with ART BLOCK and burn out ★

[@lemonbugsy]

Being a full-time college student, an art student at that, it's been really tough to make art that is actually for me. I feel exceptionally burnt out. Art should never feel like a chore or else is it really art? Writing has brought me a lot of solace during breaks that are necessary for me to take from art. I don't tend to journal, per se, but I write about a story I have had since around age 12--I am 22 now. It has evolved as much as I have and is sort of my way of communicating how I feel. Beings it is my own story as well, with my own characters that I created, I have complete control and don't feel as though it is a chore by any means. I am very delicate with it and it is something that brings me joy when I confide in it. Finding another hobby is quite difficult and can take a lot of energy within itself. If one loves art but feels burnt out with it, what is something else that can be done that isn't the same thing but also uses your mind and body in the same ways? Different mediums of art is something I enjoy too. When it becomes hard to push myself to do any form of printmaking, I may swap to sculpting. Art is a wide category, and the different ways of creating art such as painting, printmaking, and sculpting, as examples are umbrella terms. I don't do well thinking in 3D but it challenges me and because it is so new to me, it doesn't take a ton of energy because I don't have enough experience in it to even judge myself on it or I can't go deep enough into detail that it tires me out. I have made a sculpture using chicken wire as the base, or armature, and then plaster and airdry clay on it. It is not something I would have ever tried, but here I am. I don't regret it and it has been a big learning experience for me but not one that exhausts me. It helps me feel peace and then afterward I get more energized about my preferred mediums and forms of art. This is becoming a bit of a novel but my overall point is that burnout, especially artistic burnout, is very real and something that should be taken care of with compassion and delicacy. You are your own art and if you are not feeling well, mentally or physically, your art can suffer too. When art suffers, it can send one into a spiral and they end up feeling like they are not good enough, but it may just be that they are so burnt out that they are unable to leave the loop of creating art that lacks passion or their typical excited energy. I hope that anyone else experiencing burnout is able to find happiness in another medium or hobby. Another thing to keep in mind, too, is that not having a hobby doesn't make one a boring person. Just inexperienced, perhaps, and there are millions of people in the world who have never experienced something. Passion can occur at any time. Hobbies take time to develop and sometimes it will hit you years later that you actually do really love it or do want to try it out. If you feel worried about taking on the task of trying a new hobby, give yourself time and space to ponder on it--baby steps. If you aren't feeling burnt out necessarily but feel absolutely stuck in your art journey and like it is difficult to even create art, the best advice I have ever heard as of yet is going to sound silly but, "stop making excuses for yourself when this is actually going to, and will, benefit you in the long-run." It just sort of clicked for me. It was like my soul was placed back in my body and I wasn't a spectator of my art journey anymore but instead finally in control of it. Much love to all who have read this!

[@Beachedboy]

i get burn out every so oftern due to being disabled and not being able to go out as much as i used to when i was a teenager. i get exhausted easily in all aspects. and usually my fix is that i need to switch up art mediums and or play video games to chill out! i love games such as pokemon or stardew valley where its so relaxing to me that i dont have to draw every day. i never force myself to draw anymore i try to go with the flow haha

[@saschaaaaaai]

I feel you on this! I have the same! My fave videogame atm is spiritfarer! I needed to rec it hahah

[@moonlightxmusic6382]

needed this so bad

[@saltedsnail9396]

this came at the perfect time!

[@Pat_The_Artist]

The biggest thing that got me out of art block was from getting a creative job. I currently work in a art production studio where we print art prints for artist. Seeing all of the prints come out made me inspired to draw/paint/being creative. Also going to museums also help. I went to the Met Gala Museum last year and got a ton of inspiration while studying other artists work.

[@ChantelleArts]

Its lovely to see you painting a different subject, your style looks wonderful in a landscape. I've really struggled with burnout this year and this video is just perfect ❤❤❤

[@WilmaArts]

The brushstrokes in this painting reminds me so much of Van Gogh, especially the sky! So beautiful!! And loved hearing what you had to say about this topic!

[@soda_fairy]

My burnout from this year was very extreme not only did I have a mental health crisis, but I had to move in with my partners family and their grandmother was being very abusive towards me and I did not feel the want to make any art in that situation because I don’t want to remember this year. But even with that being said, I am in a better place, now, being away from that evil woman, and I feel like making art again and it feels wonderful 🥰🎀

[@kiwimiwi5452]

I was really into my sketchbook during the summer, but with winter rolling around and the days being like 5 minutes long I can barely manage to finish a single sketch in one session. I am quite exhausted from exams coming up left and right (and I now have the reputation of the A student to upkeep) and private events happening.. I am still quite positive, just very tired. I wish taking a break was easily available and possible! Also, love your painting!!

[@cremeuxkraft9019]

I had a market today, I knew I'd have this vid to look forward to. Sometimes if I'm struggling with umph, I'll look thru insta(or pintrest) with different 'perspectives'? Like...colour, or theme or...composition, and how I can incorporate it into my work. (Example: finding a way to work blue and orange into something I'm doing). Sounds silly but it keeps my attention. 😂❤

[@skypilot_kes1970]

this video was really impactful on me. thank you for the advice. i’ve never felt art block like i feel it right now. i feel like im losing the ability to make art and i didn’t really know why. i’m in an art high school where im in a fine art setting for hours 5 days a week, and im struggling a lot. you said that in extreme cases it’s best to step back from art, but i can’t really do that because of school. does anyone have any advice for managing burnout while also having to produce art?

[@PaperTigress]

[@chronicstarlightart]

Needed this lol

[@williamvargas2981]

Thanks for the video!! ❤❤