I’ve been making art long enough to know there are ebbs and flows. Right now, I’m in an ebb. A big one, actually. It’s no coincidence that April was super productive for my art, and now I’m struggling this month. My ebbs almost always follow times of significant flow. I’m convinced that we only have a certain amount of creative resources per year. If we flow for too long, we ebb for just as long. And I’m okay with that, for the most part.

However, knowing this doesn’t make it any easier when I’m feeling down on my work. In times like these, I don’t feel like my art matters. I feel disconnected and uninterested in the thing I love most. And it always feels like I’m never going to get my groove back. The best I can do is hold onto the promise that a flow state will return as always. I just never know when.

I have stumbled upon some ways to feel less stuck during these down times. We can’t avoid getting stuck as artists. It’s inevitable. What we can do is try to get unstuck more quickly, and make the process less painful.

1. Take Time Off

The reason I was inspired to write this article today is because I took last week off from my art. I couldn’t have felt less interested in my work. Even shipping my prints sounded awful. So, I put my shop on vacation mode and closed my studio door. I gave myself permission not to think about anything art-related for over a week. And guess what? It helped a lot.

I still haven’t made anything today, but I can feel some ideas simmering below the surface. I don’t feel nearly as stuck as I did last week. I can feel an interest in my art slowly returning again.

Taking time off can be extra beneficial if you have personal things going on that aren’t conducive to making your best work. The last thing you want is to resent your work, so it’s okay to take a step back and focus on other things. Life is a balancing act and creativity requires a lot of energy.

2. Focus on a Different Hobby

This can go hand-in-hand with taking time off, or it can be separate. Sometimes it’s hard to feel inspired when we’re too close to our art. By focusing on something else, like baking, photography, organizing, or knitting, we can get that spark back. A spark in any area of our lives is usually good for our art. Just keeping our hands busy making things, without the pressure of creating amazing artwork, can be just what the doctor ordered. If you’re feeling disconnected from your work, this can be a good time to pick up a new hobby, or learn something new.

3. Color Swatch

There’s something therapeutic about just mixing colors without the pressure of creating final work. This is what I’m going to spend the afternoon doing today. It sounds like an easy way to ease back into my work after my break.

Just put on some music, pour yourself a yummy drink, and fall in love with color again. Mix some new colors and play around with combinations. This may feel like a waste of time, but it’s not at all. It’s wonderful for your growth as an artist. Hopefully a new color combo will inspire you to sit down and create again.

If you don’t even feel like doing this, try cataloging your paints. Paint a swatch directly out of the tube, and write the color name and brand below it. These swatch sheets can be helpful for future use. I got this idea from artist Parul Arora (@justnoey), who shared this exercise on her Youtube channel.

4. Look Back at Old Work

I recently created a document of the best art pieces I’ve ever made. This was really helpful, because it allowed me to see that for every few pieces I made that weren’t great, I’ve also made some really impressive work. Analyzing out what we love about past work can spark ideas for future work. It can also boost our self confidence, which can be lacking when we feel stuck.

Even going through old work you don’t love can give you ideas for recreating a piece. Maybe one of your old ideas was half-baked at the time, and you have a better way of executing it now.

5. Recreate a Piece You Love by Another Artist

As long as you credit the artist, this is a great way to get unstuck. Or you can just do this for fun, and not show anyone. I like this tip because it allows us to get out of our heads and focus on technique. It simplifies the art process, so it feels less intimidating. Also, we can learn a lot by recreating another artists work in our own style. This is how all the old masters learned how to paint. I don’t see many people doing this today, because everyone is too scared to be accused of copying in our digital age. I think it’s a shame, because this can be an integral part of learning how to make our best work.

6. Journal About It

Often we feel stuck, but we don’t know why. I’m guilty of shying away from dissecting my feelings. This is where journaling comes in. It allows me to get to the heart of my emotions. If we can pinpoint why we feel stuck, it’s easier to get unstuck. Maybe your life is too full right now for art. Maybe you don’t like the work you’ve been making lately. Or maybe you just pushed yourself too hard and need a break.

Identifying why we feel the way we do makes the problem feel smaller. Also, it’s easier to find a solution. To help you get started, I have a 100 Journal Prompts for Artists Guide available on my website.

7. Go on a Serious Hunt for Inspiration

Visit an art museum (digitally or in person). Give yourself permission to browse Instagram or Pinterest for hours. Watch that inspiring documentary that’s been on your list for months. Make finding new ideas your number one mission. And as you find ideas, be sure to document them.

Sometimes seeking beauty in the world is the easiest way to get out of a funk. This tip can be especially helpful if you’ve just been through a period of some serious art making. Often, we just need new ideas to get excited about. All it takes is putting down our paintbrushes and paying attention.

8. Get Outside

This past week, when I stepped away from my art, I spent a lot of time outside. And it healed me. I went on walks, sat our our porch, and played with our dogs in the yard. Time outside should be prescribed to all artists. It’s so simple, but it’s the best way to get the creative juices flowing again. I make daily walks a regular part of my routine in order to recharge my creative batteries.

9. Work on Your Studio

Get organized. Hang up work. Move furniture. Redecorate. Sometimes all we need to get unstuck is a change in our surroundings. Just being around our work, even when we aren’t making it, can help. Earlier this year, I catalogued all of my past work. Ironically, that was in March, and April was one of my most creative months. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

If you don’t have a studio, focus on your designated workspace. Redo a corner of your home for making art. Buy a new lamp or desk. Refill your art supplies. Redesign the space in a way that allows you to make your best work.

10. Talk to Other Artists

I believe we should all have a few creative friends on speed dial. People who understand things about the art process that most people don’t. The truth is, all artists feel stuck sometimes. It can be helpful to talk to someone about it - whether in person or online. If you don’t live in an artsy area, try connecting with another artist on social media. Ask them if they’ve ever been stuck and how they handle it. I promise they will have a lot to say on the topic. Remember, you are not alone in feeling stuck once in a while.