When Creativity Runs Dry
Thursday, June 21, 2012 
No matter how skilled an artist is, there are times when the source of creativity is dry. I know that during hectic seasons of life or demanding deadlines in the studio, the joy of creating art goes away and I struggle to find inspiration.
I believe that the correlation between busyness and lack of creativity is no accident. For artists, the source of inspiration comes from a place deep within the soul, and this place must be nurtured. If we don’t take time for rest, contemplation, prayer and beauty, we become spiritually empty.
Creativity isn’t a switch we can turn on or off. If you are facing a deadline or your life is crowded with commitments, you’ll be tempted (as I have been) to rush the creative process. But it cannot be rushed. Force yourself to slow down, retreat, and protect the time you’ve set aside to create art.
In addition to making rest a daily exercise, you may consider taking a retreat for some extended time of renewal and inspiration. A dear friend is co-leading a retreat designed for this very purpose, for artists and non-artists alike. “Praying with Imagination: Igniting a Prayerful Response” is being held next month at Saint John’s University in Minnesota. As far as retreats go, this looks like a gem and I hope you consider it!
Reader Comments (1)
Hello Karen. So glad to see your continued efforts and growth and new sculptural works. Thanks for posting your thoughts about "when creativity runs dry". I vividly recall a couple of summers ago telling God that I felt so dry, and so lacking creativity. I felt almost immediately that God responded..."Then paint the dryness". That thought led to a work titled "Three Times A Day", as I embraced that "dry" time. May God bless your efforts as you continue creating. Jim