the first kitchen table: on creative blocks

I have a hard time getting out of my head sometimes and letting go. Without letting go my images are predictable (at least to me) and not as 'free' as I'd like them to be. What's your secret to letting go of your thoughts long enough to let the images in? Or better yet, what is your inspiration when you are tangled up in confusion, frustration, grief or just the exhaustion of the daily demands of children? ~ Joan

I'd love to know what you do when you get creative block. The obvious answer is to just put the camera down until the block goes away but I find that frustrating sometimes. Everyone has their own tricks for reigniting that creative spark, so I'd love to hear yours! ~ Sherry

I tend to think of myself as a writer first. When words are too tangled to help me let go, I reach for my camera. My camera is my dog. It demands nothing of me other than a reasonably confident hold. It doesn't always behave, but it offers this non-verbal sort of amiable companionship that's much more simple than the ... god, what would it be? The totally hot and invigorating and delightfully yanking but exhausting mistress represented by words. My camera gives me the opportunity to roll around in grass.

I can relate to this, though, and on both fronts. Here's what I do. If I feel blocked with my writing, I cook. If supper sticks to the bottom of the pot, I grab my camera. If my camera doesn't uncover anything that interests me enough to process and share it, I write. If I spend an hour staring at a manuscript and breathing with my mouth open, I transfer money from the credit line and go to Winners. Scratch that last bit.

I'm a believer in shrugging and walking away. Sometimes I flail, convinced that I suck. But most of the time, I don't let a block become evidence of absent skills or inspiration. A block is environmental. A block just means that you need to go and make whoopie pies. Or whoopie. Your brain needs another sort of input until that vaporous, magical swirl passes by you again. Your brain will turn itself inside-out waiting for that creative serendipity. It will make you think you're failing. Give it something else to do.

As for frustration and grief and the demands of family... I don't know. Sometimes the camera wins. Sometimes it doesn't. I think that all we can do is learn to get better at shrugging. And whoopie.

How would you answer Joan's question? I'd love to know.

Comments

[Jett]

I've found that a good road trip (doesn't even have to be lengthy or far) will shake off blinders. This is especially true if you go with no real expectation other than to change the backdrop that you encounter most often.

Applies to both writing and photography; your mileage will vary.

[Cheryl Arkison]

A road trip is a great idea! I was going to suggest just walking away from what you are trying to do.

In many case for me, getting on the floor and getting dirty with my kids - in the mud, painting, learning letters, at the park, is enough to snap me out of it. Well, at least the emotional part of the block. And more often than not, it inspires a bit of creativity.

[tanya]

i love this question ... and the answer.

i do not think of myself as a photographer or writer or artist ... just a person who NEEDS creative outlets, whatever they may be. and you are so right, kate, sometimes just doing anything gets the juices flowing.

i agree with the road trip. on days that NEED something different to get us out of the doldrums I like to take a ride about 45 minutes away to a little place in south carolina called jasper's porch - an all you can eat southern buffet eaten on a screened porch overlooking a large pond filled with turtles, fish and alligators waiting for handouts. then there is a nature trail to walk along that always snags the most beautiful pics of my kids gazing at dragonflies and catching toads.