Getting Unstuck in my Work

This video is from a year ago. It shows how I got unstuck when I got lost with a body of work. This an exercise you can try any time and it always generates new ideas.
I am on a mission to help artists find their own unique voice and make exciting, original artwork that is truly unique. If this sounds exciting, join my weekly artist's newsletter at www.louisefletcherart.com/con...
Each week, I share tips, tricks, advice, and inspiration to help you take your art to the next level.
You can also find me:
My artist community: www.louisefletcherart.com/art...
On Facebook at / louisefletcherart
On Instagram at / louisefletcher_art
And on my podcast at: www.louisefletcherart.com/for...

[@SheilaSquillante]

Louise, besides being a marvelous painter, you are an incredible, inspiring teacher. Thank you for your generosity and encouragement!

[@jameshopkins7507]

Amazingly, your no pile was my yes pile! Appreciation of art is so subjective! I do love your work and your videos. Thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@DrummerGrrrl]

Yeah! I loved some of her rejected pieces and didn't like some of her favorites. LOL.

[@g0greenn0w]

@@DrummerGrrrl. /

[@SuperUsernameization]

"I've done something that moved everything forward; I've enjoyed myself; I feel better for having created." Sums up the exercise and I needed to see/hear this. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Happy it resonated with you xx

[@indigoshorts6478]

Thank you, Louise! Was a pleasure to see all of your brushstrokes and your thoughts behind them. Looking forward to seeing more of your "creating hours".

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-bb8lj9ow6h]

So nice!!! Drama between dark an light. Amazing!!!

[@diannelacourciere4129]

I found it so interesting seeing your liked, maybe and reject piles and your explanation to why each painting was in that certain pile. Thank you again for your wisdom.❤

[@carolwallis9780]

I'm in Australia and currently trying to do your 'Finding Your Joy' Taster course. I'm struggling to keep up with the course and getting side tracked into painting things that are a combination of your lessons and my feelings (that seem to be coming out on paper). However I'm just discovering all your KZbin videos which are so interesting and helping me as a beginner. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Don't worry about being sidetracked - that's you finding what you love!

[@sharonmaginn1014]

Louise I can't express enough how you've inspired me to explore and find my joy in painting. I love watching your videos and the taster course was amazing. Thank you for all you do!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@kasiatek1957]

Thank you Louise for this inspiring video. I love the idea of YES*MAYBE*NO PILE! The idea of turning the painting in different directions even whilst painting process is great and gives the freeling feeling. I'm looking forward to this art adventure.

[@dianeoconnor8310]

It’s also interesting our own reaction to your work, which teaches us something about us. I actually loved one of the small ones that you didn’t like. A useful video! 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes so true!

[@TheCarcasonne]

Dear Louise, thank you so much for this video. Regrettably I can't afford your course, maybe next year. Until then I'm really thankful for your videos, they are always informative and got to the point. Nothing comparable out there!

[@leticiacampos1044]

I had the same reaction: loved all the maybe and most of the no!

[@veronicastewart1112]

@@leticiacampos1044 Me too.

[@mishajameson8939]

same!

[@sunshinenorain]

You have just given me a place to go so that I will continue my painting practice. This is absolutely stunning how you show your paint mixing. Brilliant!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My pleasure 😊

[@helenkermode]

Love your work! Found this video very helpful, love the colours. Look forward to following you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awesome, thank you so much Helen!

[@jenniferkobe]

Thank you so much. I’ve recently retired, and have looked forward to a world full of creativity. Strangely enough, now that’s it’s upon me, I’m frozen . I’m glad you tell us it’s our job. It brought on an overwhelming feeling inside me.

[@ljd8520]

Hi Jennifer, I completely sympathise with what you said. I've retired at 50 it feels very bizarre. It's all about format for me, 1m x 1m canvas every time

[@joanastley6334]

LOVED THIS LESSON , SO INTERESTING.

[@sigrunbe]

This was really something of the very best I have ever seen on KZbin!

[@christineconsmueller8339]

Hi Louise! this demonstration is very helpful in enjoying getting to know colours more and figuringout what I like and don't like. I also like the energy and movement of you physically on putting colours out and not doing just little squares which Ican only relate with my thinking part of the brain but not with my creative side.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so glad! Happy painting!

[@user-iq2su8hr7s]

I’ve recently gone back to art after a break of over 20 years . I have found your videos on KZbin so inspiring to me . As I have found every time I do a drawing or a collage i immediately judge it and feel it is no good and then I don’t try again. Your advise has given me hope that I can try again . 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww thank you Paula and I am so glad I could provide that hope to you!

[@karanouren1596]

I love your idea of placing the smaller paintings from working on a large sheet taped off and painting as though one large but knowing they're all individual pieces...placing them in a sketchbook, making notes as needed...I'm going to try this...Thank you!!!

[@nickmozak8400]

Thanks Louise for inspiring videos.Would love to take one of your 10 week courses!

[@Fidelabstractfineart]

Very useful. Getting stuck is so easy. At least we get busy with something else and don't dwell on self flagellation. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So true!

[@JaneofArc]

This really resonated with me and what God has been speaking to my heart about too. Your words at the end are quite powerful. Thank you ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to hear it resonated with you!

[@juliehooper1360]

Thank you Louise. That was so generous of you to share your inner workings and decision making process. It lights me up. It was encouraging too that it’s just how it is to feel resistant sometimes and it doesn’t matter. There is no sense pushing a Boulder up hill but a zig zag path is much easier and kinder.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So true!

[@annray9320]

Toulouse Lautrec comes to mind with the colours x

[@ruthmaxey-fisher2557]

So much to learn from one video. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much Louise for your time, enthusiasm and expertise. For the first time in my life I am enjoying my experience with picture making.

[@fatimagrocki386]

Amazing as usual Louise! You are an inspiration to everyone!

[@sharonstratis2846]

If I don't know what I want to paint or if I want to paint, I'll work in my art journal or make collage atc cards (2.5 inches by 3.5 inches). I'm so glad that you introduced me to segmenting off large sheets of paper to play on. I plan to do this at least once a week, if not more.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful! Have fun

[@veronicastewart1112]

I do atc's also. Painting a large paper and then using a view finder, will give you great backgrounds for your art cards.

[@merciayou]

Thank you, I love watching you paint.

[@judithgillam5074]

Louise - you are an absolute gem . Thank you ........... Kind regards - Judi - Australia

[@lindsay5166]

I second that! Love your conversational style, Louise ☺️. You make it all seem so do-able which is downright inspiring! Thank you so much. X

[@johnk626]

I'm going to use the practice squares on a more regular basis, when I get a block or unsure how to progress, I will experiment with limited pallete colour swatches a great record for future use thanks for all this Louise! I wish I could afford the course but learnt a lot!

[@florisabelcastillo7688]

I love the way the little squares turned out and the limited palette. Taking off the tape is like opening up a beautifully wrapped present! So cool! Can’t wait to try it!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Have fun!

[@karenjoy9997]

This is the most informative video. I love it. I want to push myself to use these colors. To me it looks like mud, but seeing how you mixed them to get a certain feeling. And when all these muddy colors all together, turns the painting interesting beautiful, different. Which is the end desired result. As you paint, I come to love it more & more. Also I am so I’m happy that I’m learning about how to use black color. So, Thank you so much for teaching us here on u- tube!

[@agneszirini922]

Thank you for sharing Louise ! I'm learning a lot following your videos !!!

[@uniquelylily1166]

When you had all of them taped together, I saw a story of a storm coming with tornado, rain, wind, then the sun and calm came again. I loved it!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@maryannkavanagh5899]

You are fabulous for sharing your process. I really enjoyed this and learned a lot.

[@jonathanv9889]

you are the best teacher in yt, thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thanks!

[@marthajacobo3519]

I really enjoyed your video! Another limited palette would be great! Thanks. ❤ Love that piano jazz music , let me know the artist, very motivational!

[@mandiewilson8977]

Brilliant!! - thanks so much for sharing Louise xx

[@carolkothmann6074]

you are an amazing teacher! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@tears-ran-dry]

I desperately needed to see your Video this A.M. , I am going to get myself an Art journal. I never thought of just how useful they can be. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and Amazing Artwork ❣️

[@dianagilbert8690]

I took my Lesson 4 paintings from FYJ Taster to another place last night. I stayed with my limited palette and played for 3 hours. I woke up this morning feeling like Christmas Day. I actually cried with JOY as I looked at the FUN I had last night. I am sure this is a fraction of what I will experience during your FYJ 2021 Course.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That makes me so happy!

[@dienekevugts5572]

Dear Louise. Thank you again for this video .I followed the taster and it was the first time feeling it's oke how I am working. You gave me hands on how to going on, how i can handle my need to painting, how I can make bigger things. I said thanks to the university that I met you on you tube and also for the joy I found through you. I feel great thankfullness. Please go on in your own way.

[@sallysims5090]

Thanks for this thoughtful video, Louise. It so helpful to see the physical process, the palette selection, paint application, how the exercise feeds the works in progress, and the emotional/motivational side of it. I saw in that last shot of the painting a house in the countryside I'd like to visit. :) As always, thanks for sharing your painting wisdom with us.

[@leeannehull7322]

Loved watching

[@eliseerasmus2403]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Just what I needed today to encourage and inspire me.

[@susanmoss9953]

Love watching you paint. Very inspiring. Reminds me to do some quick, play paintings.

[@cherylmartin467]

Thank you from Appleton Wisconsin, this is my most favorite video on abstracts. You have helped me get back to my painting again. I took a long break and it saddens me.

[@GoldberryIsland]

Black is the queen of color 🖤

[@sallyneal1]

i bc agree 1:18

[@sherrierichard2848]

Wow. I have so many ways now to get in-stuck. Thank you! Love that you are analyzing by talking about what you do and do not like. Better than just harsh criticism to ourselves -more positive!

[@izzyink2850]

This video is fantastic. Thank you.

[@priscillawrites6685]

Went to bed, deeply unsatisfied with what I perceived as a failed collage in my journal. I knew I had over-thought it instead of trusting process. When I woke in the morning, the solution was fully realized in my mind. I quickly finished the peace. It’s not perfect. But this has happened before - my mind works while I sleep. The lesson is to trust the process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes! Trust the process. ❤

[@joansamworth6021]

Thank you for your sharing your approach!!

[@patriciapinel7429]

Luuise you are such an inspiration! love to see your videos! thank you so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!!

[@joanzivi7425]

This is wonderful and helpful. Thank you, Louise!

[@shaunnalyons4436]

Thank you Louise! 😊

[@debtempleton9424]

Thank you again Louise. Your 'no' pile looked pretty good to me!!! You are a kind and patient teacher and I'm so pleased to have found you. Cheers, Deb (NZ)

[@vanessajmcintosh]

This is such an encouraging video, thank you so much for sharing your amazing knowledge built on experience and generosity ! I love your paintings and I love to listen to you! ❣

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marychristophi6688]

Just wonderful

[@sjmillercreates]

Love this... so nice... I really enjoyed most of your maybe’s.

[@ginaalvarez6023]

Louise thank you so much for this incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking video. You really spoke to my heart when you talked about showing up “for work “ even when we don’t feel our best. We show up and keep going because it IS a bit of a responsibility and a calling making art for the world. You just never know when or how your work will help, inspire or make a difference to someone. Your work and your videos are an inspiration to me and I love each and every piece you create!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Well said! Thank you so much!

[@jentrujillo9110]

Louise wow…this is a priceless lesson you are sharing here! I am SO appreciative of your insight and ideas in creating…even when you don’t want to. thank you from the bottom of my palette to yours!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@nataliem3504]

Thank you so much for sharing your thought processes and your way of moving forward. I find this very helpful 🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@trishspinazola287]

You are a delight!!! Thank you! Love your art as well!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@AmysCreativeArt]

I absolutely enjoy watching your process. And your scrap book. What a fabulous idea. For keeping notes. And your work is absolutely Stunning. 👏💜💙💜💙💜

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@jocliff7387]

Great video... many thanks for sharing your way of working....Also really enjoyed your free course....Thanks again.

[@suesimpson7625]

This was just a wonderful video! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely use these suggestions to move my work forward and make me happier in my studio.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@shawnasomers9127]

So many great lessons in this video Louise. Thank you so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@lesliecallaway6544]

Thank you, Louise!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@cdow68]

I’m so inspired!!! What a fun activity!!! I love the way you made the squares into Art! It’s fabulous!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@lubazagurak275]

Such a wonderful process. Thank you, this is so helpful and inspirational!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@Wvnursey]

OMG! You have opened my eyes! How fantastic! What inspiration! THANK YOU!!!!😀😀😀😀

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@jaycham17]

Love the way you worked through these. Very inspiring!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@cheryldobbinson1994]

Loved that, really interesting. It was a revelation when the tape came off it reminded me of a story board of images like the comics I looked as a kid 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww I never looked at it this way. Glad you enjoyed it ♥

[@wendybailey8009]

Thank you for sharing your thinking process in this wonderful video. I realise I haven’t painted for a while - I’m drawing, thinking, using charcoal which is my comfort blanket. You’ve inspired me to actual paint today - and I think your inspirational squares is just right for today! There is a storm coming and that influences my mood - makes me stronger and less complacent. Thank you Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@MSscrappychick]

Looooved this video thank you for sharing this TOTAL WISDOM!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad it helped :)

[@yokemelissant9098]

Thank you Louise. I love watching your painting videos. I am really not able to paint at the moment (to much energy has to go to body right now) but I feel it coming just looking at the video. You make such beautiful art. It appeals to my eyes and feelings

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thank you x

[@bethmabie3775]

Your words are more than words for art. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thank you!

[@stephaniemartel]

Such a helpful video! I love hearing your thought process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful! Happy painting!

[@juliegriffiths4272]

You inspire me. I really appreciate you verbalising your thought processes. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I appreciate that!

[@lyseblanchard8796]

I absolutely loved what you did! So incredible that I now want to rework all my paintings. Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@gillpitt7540]

Thank you so much. Watching you work through this exercise has made me feel excited again!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@jeffreykinghorn8612]

Excellent...EXCELLENT video. Love the process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joyceford9805]

Thank you Louise for the special video ! Getting stuck is an opportunity to e free to explore, create and learn! I will always try your method of painting the Maquettes as a guide to do all 3 of these opportunities! You are and have been a great mentor, teacher and long distance art friend for me. Thank you❣❤😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@simaabedini3617]

For long time I am thinking to start abstract art , just find you here . You work of arts are simply amazing. Love how you explain your process , you make me to start . Appreciate you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@francoisemcdermott6725]

Thank you so much, I find you truly inspirational and I could listen to you for hours! 😊 kind regards from Brussels x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thank you!

[@DrummerGrrrl]

My problem now is I just moved and my easel isn't set up. Also, I got Covid-19 in April and I'm STILL very tired and feel crappy. This video made me want to cry because I miss painting sooooooo much. Tomorrow I am going to get myself to the art store and buy some paper and a few Stabilo pencils AND some masking tape. I will find a place, somewhere, to paint some little pieces as you did.

[@barbbell2424]

This worked brilliantly! Thanks so much for sharing all your terrific ideas.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@pamelabrowne3684]

Thank you Louise, you always give such good insight.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@jacsfalconer1929]

I adore your beautiful harmonious works of Art, your colour knowledge and application are second to none. For the first time in sooooo long I really want to paint again, starting with this exercise of a limited palette and squares, it all seems achievable. Huge thanks to you. 👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it!

[@suzevanleeuwen3761]

Thanks again for sharing this Louise, very,very helpful!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@TheCarriescox]

Thank you so much for sharing. What a great way to create and find inspiration!! Best video I have seen for getting Unstuck. Excited to try this…What a talent you have and I enjoy watching your channel. Love your studio also. Thank you again for sharing so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@catholictortillas777]

You are a great teacher!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! 😃

[@emmanuelpower2439]

Always so inspiring. Thank you😊😊😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome! 😄

[@anitasmith404]

Thank you so much for this advice. 🙏🌷

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so very welcome Anita. Glad you liked it! ♥

[@mauricepowers3804]

I love both paintings but the smaller one looks like a Tuscan landscape!!!! It's my favorite❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks!

[@tara-mayemoves1977]

Thanks for sharing your process Louise! So inspiring 🤯🤩

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@JT-su4fh]

Thanks Louise! I loved this! 🥰

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@user-qn3mc5fp8s]

Wow! This video is a game changer! I just finished the Art2Life Creative Visionary Program and was struggling with a painting yesterday when I stumbled across this fabulous gem. I love the color palette and the exercise of working on small squares - totally loosened me up and I went from feeling frustrated to inspired! Louise, I love your videos - thank you so much for sharing your expertise and most of all your joy! As soon as I finish paying off CVP I'll be joining your tribe!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you for your wonderful words Melissa! I appreciate them.

[@lindatobey4051]

Loved your help on getting unstuck and how you view colors. So helpful and also agree your maybe and no pile were gorgeous!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pepaperez-enciso516]

Muchas gracias Louise! Tu forma de pintar me parece fascinante. Y sobre todo de transmitir y de enseñar

[@helenprice2467]

Love your words as much as your art!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you for your kind words Helen!

[@doraliddy9101]

I love, love this video!!! I have watched it quite a few times! :-)

[@alrenefischer4481]

Louise I am back ,I am watching all your work . I love your work, very happy 😊