Living in Cape Town I feel lucky to be overwhelmed by natural beauty, not to mention social beauty – the lovely people I come into contact with on a daily basis.
Having said that, I do have days when I feel uninspired and anxious that inspiration isn’t coming to me fast enough. This usually happens when I have a painting commission to get done. The brief is quite tight, but I can’t think of anything that will work. Feeling restricted, and potentially judged, is the enemy of artistic inspiration.
When this happens, I have a list of 10 things I can do. Sometimes all it takes is one small action.
Kalk Bay 
Glencairn tidal pool 
Dalebrook tidal pool
- Go for a walk
Sometimes it’s simply a stroll to get a coffee. I like going for a beach walk, or to Kalk Bay for a coffee. Just strolling along the road with a coffee (and a mask on of course, if you’re reading this in 2020) has an instant inspirational effect. A change of scene can help boost your mental activity, plus give you a different perspective. - Create distance from your desk/art studio
Step away from your desk to help create psychological distance from the project or painting. As with going for a walk, this can change your perspective. Sometimes it’s as simple as standing up and taking some deep breaths. I like to go to the kitchen, as I make a cup of tea I try to focus on that simple task, just doing something easy and without thought. When I go back to my work I’ve made some mental space and creativity can flow. I drink a lot of cups of tea! - Do the hard thing first
For me this is a particularly helpful tip. Whatever it is that feels like a big challenge, do it first. Sometimes it’s unrelated to the task at hand, it’s actually doing your admin or emailing that client you’ve been meaning to contact for days. Once you’ve done something that’s hanging over you, your creativity has space to flow. - Read, read some more
This is my favourite, I love that this is a useful thing to do for my personal growth and inspiration. For me, reading has always been an escape, but it turns out it’s also beneficial to broadening your perspective and opens your mind to new ideas. Most importantly, it boosts empathy, an essential component to creativity.
I love these quotes:
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglas
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Listen to music
So easy! Especially with the apps we have, life has an endless playlist.
Music inspires creativity because it can interrupt our thought processes just the right amount to inspire abstract thinking (According to the Journal of Consumer Research). - Doodle
I love doodling! I do it all day. When I was in school the only way I could focus and retain information was to doodle as I listened to the lecturers. Now I know why. Engaging your hands while you think can improve your levels of concentration and creativity. - Eat (healthily)
Your brain also needs food. But only the good stuff. Take a break, give your brain some nourishment. Sugar is not so helpful, you may just get that boost and then crash and burn. Try healthy snacks. I like banana with peanut butter, which I’m told is weird, but it works. - Try a break in your routine
Ok, this one I find a bit hard to relate to, I have the opposite problem and find it quite difficult to stick to a routine, even one that’s really working. Having said that, there is something comforting about routine. It can be too comforting though, leading to stuck in a rut-ness. Take a break from your comfort zone, try a new café, mix an unexpected colour palette, jog a different route. Whatever it takes to give you a little different perspective. You may make a discovery that leads to a new idea. - Spend time with your friends
Discuss your projects, they may have some useful ideas, and as I keep coming back to, a different perspective. People are creative in different ways, so even people that aren’t traditionally ‘artists’ can be very creative in their thinking and ideas, and you could do with their new viewpoint. - Don’t be afraid to fail
This should be number 1, actually. It’s a life lesson that is so important. I have a 7-year old son who won’t try new things easily in case he’s not good at them. I am constantly encouraging him to see trying as the win, the experience is valuable, no matter the outcome. I really don’t believe in ‘failure’, especially when it comes to art.
To overcome this fear, let all judgement go. Give it a try, do it anyway!