“You can look anywhere and find inspiration.” Frank Gehry (from The Painter’s Keys)
Dry spells, days without inspiration, lack of incentive can happen at anytime to any artist. You show up at the studio, sit in front of an empty canvas or paper and nothing happens. Nothing is working. You looked to all your usual sources of inspiration and still nothing. So what now? You can give up and walk away or you can look to your fellow artists.
Stories are everywhere of artists who worked in groups. The Impressionists were noted for it. Monet and Renoir occasionally painted the same subjects. Picasso and Braque explored cubism together. The tales of artists gathering together in Paris cafes and bars are well known. The Abstract Expressionists frequently met in New York at various locations. Artists are gathering today. Are you one of them?
Gathering with fellow artists today does not necessarily mean physically meeting in a restaurant or studio. Artopia Magazine suggests, “Following artists on social media is a great source for finding inspiration on many levels.” Taking the time to “like” other artists on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, read artist’s blogs and check out artists websites are all ways to gather with other artists in today’s internet world. Artists are doing amazing things all over the world. All it takes is a couple of clicks to enter a world of inspiration from fellow artists.
Indiemade.com suggests joining a local art group and if you don’t have one, start one. Find a group of other artists and make plans to meet together. You can choose to take a meal together regularly just to discuss art in general. You could meet together for some Plein Air painting. Another possibility is potluck once a month rotating at each other’s studios. Find your fellow local artists and make a plan.
When you are blanking out on inspiration, look around at other artists and see what they are up to. If you find your fellow artist also in a blank place maybe you can inspire each other. And if not, you can always commiserate with one another until new sources of inspiration can be found. Nobody stays dry forever. Companionship during the dry times may help move the dryness on down the road.
Awesome paintings!
Yes! Aren’t they!
ah, Renoir… have u ever been to France?… 🙂
Yes! Loved, loved it!!! Once to Paris and once to Calais.