VCU news

By Sian Wilkerson

To artists around the world, the creative rut is dreaded – and seemingly inevitable. But why does it happen, and how can it be avoided?

“Writer’s block or artist’s block are well-known experiences for folks who are creative, yet there is very little scientific research on this very common phenomenon,” said Virginia Commonwealth University researcher Richard Bargdill, who studies creativity and its impact on people’s lives. “This may be because all artists – and their artistic processes – are unique unto themselves.”

Bargdill, Ph.D., is a teaching associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, and he is the author of “An Artist’s Thought Book: Intriguing Thoughts About the Creative Process.” VCU News spoke with him about what prompts an artistic slump – and how to get back on track.

So what’s behind the dreaded creative rut?

Most of what we know comes from anecdotal information, from numerous artists who have reported what it is like going through a drought.

Some factors that are generally involved have to do with high expectations, such as attempting to top a previous project that turned out well or setting an unrealistic standard – like deciding to write the next “Great American Novel” – for a new project.

These expectations can weigh heavily on the artist and, in turn, create an adverse effect on creativity, which is often described as flowing. Feeling open to whatever arrives is much better than expecting something “Great” to arrive on demand.

Besides high expectations, what else might lead to an artistic slump?

Mood can be a factor, in that artists often produce their best work in a particular mood. Not all art, for example, is produced in a happy mood – some artists do their best work in sad, agitated or desperate states of mind. But nobody can maintain any particular mood for an indefinite time period, and trying to produce a mood at will is nearly impossible. Otherwise, we would always be in our happy place.

How can an artist get back on track?

People can get out of a creative rut in numerous ways. Speaking from personal experience, I find that looking at some of my old sketchbooks and unfinished projects is a good way to get the creative juices flowing. This can include rereading old stories, looking over notes I made about a previous project or looking at sketches.

Secondly, I find that I’ve become most creative while I’m actually working on a project. So if there’s any project you can start working on, then start working! Questions like, “Why is this not good? How can I make it better? What does this project need to be fresher or more edgy?” start to produce advancements in one project as well as prompting thoughts about future projects.

Furthermore, taking something that has an emotional energy and then exaggerating that is a good way to find a worthy project. Artists should pay attention to what they are laughing or griping about: These are emotionally charged topics that can easily be turned into an inspiring project. For example, what would happen if this funny comment was taken to the extreme? What would this social problem look like at its final destination? And let the project develop from there.

Is it possible to avoid a slump altogether? Or is it an inevitability?

While creative ruts are probably inevitable for all artists, one practice that is helpful can be to have multiple projects in different areas going on at the same time. If an artist is primarily a painter but they also dabble in music, they can shift to their other creative areas when ideas for painting dry up. This is why you see a lot of actors who are also musicians, for example, and many other creatives who have multiple modalities.

Additionally, trying something completely new can give you a boost. There is nothing more creative than being a beginner at a task.

Any final thoughts?

I think the key to being creative is really to just have fun with your ideas and projects. Being judgmental toward your ideas is no way to get the good ones to visit. We want to maintain a sense of playfulness!

When we start to judge things as good or bad, not worthy and stupid, we close off what we are able to receive. Artists should try to have fun, and that means entertaining the idea, giving it a chance to run around in our minds and exploring the wider corners of possibility.