How do you get into the mental state to create art after you have been away from it for years?

Question

What do you find that stimulates you to get your juices flowing to make art again if you have been away from it for a long time?
thanks in advance for you input

Answer 1

Art doesn't leave you, and you can't "be away from art" for any period. Art is a refined means of expression. You may lose some of the ability to tap into the specific language construct (whether visual, mathematical, musical, etc., in nature) and act upon it masterfully -- denoted as being "out of practice" -- but that's easily corrected with renewed dedication, commitment and immersion.

Immerse yourself, rededicate yourself, commit to spending a specified quantity of time per a day, everyday -- and not only will you find that you haven't left art, you will discover that you are a better artist now than you could ever have been before. This phenomenon of growth is simply a manifestation of the fact that we continually add experiences to our personal schema, and once you have tapped into your favored language of expression, and practiced enough to regain mastery, the art will once again flow from your fingertips...

Answer 2

Every day, I devote a few minutes of time to simply relax. It's inevitable to be lured into the stress and tire of a busy day, so I take advantage of my frustration and and anxiety by first taking a few breaths. I tend to get stressed out when I have too much math homework, and I find that procrastinating is seriously not the path to go down, because that will just conjure up more irritation. Your escape, whatever it is -- depends on you. What do you find peaceful? What do you like doing? Having read your funny and thoughtful Q&A's, I know that you're a creative girl, so perhaps take the time to let your thoughts unwind themselves from calculus, or physics, or whatever it is you're doing ... and just let everything sort of float where they may, if you will. I can only do so much algebra before I collapse from exhaustion, so I work at efficient, effective intervals and take frequent breaks in order to avoid becoming bored and restless easily. During these short breaks, I play piano, read a book, eat a snack, or listening to 2-3 songs to replenish myself and get back in the groove of work. The crucial thing is to try not to use the Internet, unless absolutely necessary -- until you finish your work. Sites like Yahoo! Answers, Facebook and the like soak up time like a sponge. Make your daily "release" work for you. Whether it be freeing your emotions upon a diary, meditation, squeezing a stress ball, or simply taking some time to lie down ... let these little activities be a reward for time well spent. I'd rather invest one effective hour of my time with a break in between preparing for a test, as opposed to a fruitless, inefficient 3 hours. I think I'm one of those people that do enjoy working, simply because once I get into it, it's quite fun (even algebra, at times). But stress is the worst. I can't work under pressure. I'm a crazy perfectionist. Best wishes to you and your pursuit of escaping the daily grind. : ) EDIT: But honestly, feeling in control with your work is the most empowering thing ever. I've finished all my homework due on Monday and I'm only halfway through the weekend. : ) @ Arabesque: Ooh, I'm always an early bird too. I get so much work done in the morning, it's magical. By the way, if you exercise in the morning, it'll keep you energetic and jump starts your metabolism!

Answer 3

I subscribe to the drawing approach. Almost every art form derives content from drawing. However these days I spend time with a digital camera and then download photos to a simple program, that comes with the camera or is on my computer eg Picture Package from Sony or Picture It from Microsoft I then play with the images, colour, shape, texture etc. I print some and then add watercolour or colour pencil or marker pen , cut them up and create collages. All this is "fore-play".I t suits my style of painting, but I am sure it is applicable to a range of media.and styles.The technology is there , why not use it, not to produce an end product necessarily, but rather as a quick, multi-level way of processing ideas. Works for me!

Answer 4

First put yourself in a place where your comfortable and happy or at least content. Where you can forget everything for a while. For most people that's early in the morning, noon or in the evening. It can be whenever you want, anytime you have time or the inclination. Just make sure your comfortable and can relax and just start thinking about your people in your story, or where they live, or the scene you want to paint or the art you want to produce. Whatever it is, just think about it from all perspectives.

Michelangelo felt he wasn't just chiseling rock, he felt he was rescuing a statue from the rock.

Answer 5

Get online and do a search on your favorite art and look through photos of other people's work and it should do the trick for you. I always get inspired by seeing what others have done when i need to feel inspired. It just really gets me in the mood to start creating again.

Answer 6

Go into a quiet room and close the door. Close your eyes and center your attention on the spot on your forehead between your two eyes, about a half inch up, and a half inch deep. This is your "third eye" and a very spiritual place to dwell. Place your attention on this spot and begin to think about the past art you have created. If you really focus on this technique, it will all come back to you ten-fold.

Answer 7

It's the optimal time because you can tap into the actual mental state you have been to express the deeper ideas which art seems often more apt at revealing.

Answer 8

Start!

Pick up the medium of your choice and just start drawing or painting the things in front of you. Before long, you'll start to see things again with that artistic eye. It just takes a little patience in the beginning as you get back into the swing.

Answer 9

The best thing would be for you to do a class, as it is usually stimulating to work alongside others.

Answer 10

depending on the type of art,
drawing, do drawing at lease daily. painting, paint at lease daily
what ever medium you do do it daily no matter what it is do something daily and most important is to have fun!