The truth is that everyone has the potential for creativity. It is not one specific characteristic but rather a way of thinking. Scientists, physicists, and mathematicians also must possess the ability to think creatively. It helps them solve a potential problem by looking at it from a different perspective. It is often said that creativity is like a muscle. The more you train, the better you are. Whether you are a writer with writer’s block or a marketing specialist looking for new ideas, there are a few simple ways to boost your creativity.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY

Creativity is developed with practice. It is essential to understand that it’s not a passive process. It is not a result of random strikes of inspiration but a result of hard work and constant seeking of new ways to express yourself. Here are some techniques that can help you.

1. Seek inspiration

Sometimes, creativity finds you. Other times, you need to find it. Several things can be excellent sources of inspiration. If you’re an artist, try to find it in different works of art. You can read a book, visit a museum, explore art blogs, watch a movie, listen to music, and more. Each of these activities will generate new ideas and give you new perspectives.

Also, always look for inspiration in niches that are different from yours. Sometimes scientific theories can inspire works of art and vice versa. This is the case because imagination is the key to creating something new, whether it is a new theory in physics or a unique piece of art.

2. Distance yourself from the problem

One of the simple ways to boost your creativity is to create a distance. The more we think about a problem, the harder it becomes to find a solution. If we get “stuck,” the best thing to do is to distance ourselves and try doing something else.

Sometimes, the ideal solution is to replace overthinking with physical activity.

You can go for a walk, hike, meditate or do any other activity that relaxes you. The idea is to not think about why you are going through an artist’s block or how to solve a problem. Your brain will still unconsciously look for solutions, but it won’t be under so much pressure.

3. Confront your fear of failure

Sometimes, the fear of failure is what blocks our creativity. If you pushed “pause” and haven’t “used” your creativity for some time, chances are that you’re afraid to start again. When you’re scared of making a mistake or thinking that you won’t be able to accomplish what you want, you’ll hit a creative block.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is vital to confront this fear. You have to acknowledge that failure is part of the process. Sometimes, your ideas won’t be as good, but it doesn’t mean you’re not creative enough. You need more practice.

4. Dedicate yourself to creativity

If you want to increase your creativity, you have to commit yourself to this goal. It takes time and effort to develop any skill. The same goes for creativeness. It’s not enough to choose a few simple ways to boost your creativity and do them once. You have to be consistent. The studies suggest that creative arts develop problem-solving skills. So, to develop creativity, you need to practice it.

You need to make a plan and set your goals. Set aside enough time each day to practice your skills, seek inspiration, brainstorm ideas, and more. The more you engage yourself in creative activities, the easier you’ll find inspiration.

5. Become an expert

This doesn’t seem like one of the simple ways to inspire creativity. Becoming an expert in one field requires hard work and a lot of time. However, it is one of the best ways to develop your creativity.

You cannot create something new and innovative if you don’t understand the basics of your field. The more you know, the better your chances of creating something unique. Becoming an expert resembles the idea of the artist’s six stages of initiation.

There are many ways to become an expert. Follow new research, listen to the other experts, read, talk to people, etc. Also, you can speak to creative people and inform yourself about their processes and ways to boost creativity.

6. Use brainstorming techniques

One of the simple ways to get out of the creative block is to use brainstorming techniques. This is a widespread technique in both academic and professional settings. It helps solve problems, generating new ideas and perspectives.

Generate as many ideas as possible and analyze them from different points of view. Consider their qualities and weaknesses and whether you’ll be able to realize them. You can also talk to others about them and get some feedback. Explore a variety of solutions and possible approaches.

There’s no one formula for brainstorming. Apply what best suits you. Also, you can keep creative journals. This way, you can track your progress and maybe get back and develop some old ideas.

7. Use the six hats technique

The “six hats” technique refers to looking at a problem from six different points of view. People tend to focus on one or two perspectives when solving a problem. However, if you analyze it from six different angles, you’ll see it clearer.

• White hat requires you to look at the situation objectively and analyze the facts.
• Black hat refers to negative aspects. You need to find elements of the solution that won’t work.
• Yellow hat refers to positive aspects. Find elements of the solution that will work.
• Blue hat requires you to look at the problem broadly and think of a suitable overall solution.
• Green hat refers to creative thinking and looking for alternative solutions.
• Red hat requires involving your emotions and looking at the problem from an emotional perspective.

There are many other simple ways to boost your creativity. However, not all of them will be equally effective. You must consider what techniques will work best for you. Also, it is crucial to be consistent. The more you practice, the more your creativity will develop.

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Author Bio: Joana Watson is a content writer who has always enjoyed painting. She writes on various topics, but artistic ones are her favorite. She has been writing for Ben Hur Moving & Storage NYC about interior design and DIY projects for the past few years. Besides painting, Joana spends her free time experimenting in the kitchen.

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But as we navigate a changing world, there’s also the opportunity to find old and new things that inspire our creativity. Regardless of what you think of the world, politics, social issues, or the pandemic itself, 2021 is a fertile time for creative inspiration. Here are five ways to allow 2021 to be a positive influence on your art.

1. EMBRACE A NATURE-TECHNOLOGY BALANCE

The art world pivoted through the pandemic. Virtual exhibits and galleries sprung up, and just as many others did, artists and their clients learned to keep things going virtually. Through it all, we got a little tired of Zoom calls and virtualizing everything.

In 2021, as we get back to visiting new and old places, it’s a great time to reconnect with nature, those forests, mountains, or oceans that have helped us tap our creativity in the past. And exploring some new nature areas is probably a good idea, too.

At the same time, the technology we relied on to get through the pandemic has become a tremendous force in our lives. It’s easy to think in either/or terms when it comes to technology and nature. But let’s remember, technology connects us to new places and people, too.

Use the encyclopedic knowledge your phone offers to find new nature experiences. Take it a step further and use technology to share the experiences with others through social channels. Human connections are important for our well-being, and they can keep our perspectives fresh. But when you’re mentally dialed into freshwater flowing in a creek or stream, power down.

2. SHAKE UP YOUR CREATIVE ROUTINE OR SPACE 

Without structure or routine, it’s difficult to complete a creative effort. 2021 is a perfect time to shake up your creative routine. If you’re a morning person, it can be as simple as exploring potential creative times later in the day. Or take a weekend to re-arrange your studio, re-decorate, put a fresh coat of paint or an accent wall in it. Sometimes, small changes or shifts to what’s on a wall or desk can spur new ideas.

You can also venture to an online forum where other artists discuss their creative process or read books on creativity to help you find other avenues to inspiration and productivity.

3. EMBRACE DIFFERENCES, PUSH YOUR COMFORT ZONE SOCIALLY

It’s no secret that the past year-and-a-half has seen tremendous challenges with regard to political and social issues, and the word “polarizing” has been a lexical mainstay. But in 2021, pushing your social and personal comfort zones may inspire a new artistic journey – if you’re willing to take the risk.

2021 is a great year to explore different cultures and perspectives, even views that are different from your own. Dare we say, even ones you may have completely disagreed with in the past.

You can start by reading and researching. As you gather information, avoid taking a position on what you learn; be a fact-seeker and observer instead. You can even challenge yourself to view something you dislike differently. You can also make a concerted effort to help others, a neighbor, or get involved in a charity effort. You never know who you’ll meet, what they’ll teach you, and how they could inspire you to create.

4. TAKE MORE PHOTOS AND PRINT THEM 

In a video-driven society, there is still nothing better than capturing the moment with a photo. You don’t have to be an illustrator to allow this practice to inspire you. It’s in our nature to see images, experience memories, thoughts, and feelings, and the door to inspiration is suddenly open.

Even better, print out some photos. Our phones produce excellent images. The downside is that the photos get lost in the virtual sea of digital pics and many go overlooked. Create a digital catalog of your year and print some hard copies; use them in collages or as décor in your studio.

The world is a tremendous canvas that’s moving very fast. Capturing laughs, art, action, and everyday life can be a fantastic way to fuel your imagination – this year and beyond.

5. FIND YOUR OWN COLOR OF THE YEAR

With so much change occurring in the past year-and-a-half, paint manufacturers seemed slightly at odds with choosing their annual colors of the year for home interiors and exteriors. These efforts are often tied to trends in home décor and social sentiments.

Color experts agreed that in 2021 people will seek out comfort in warm and cool hues and soothing tones. But everyone seemed to have very different views about what color types achieved these emotional responses. The result: a more eclectic mix of colors of the year than ever.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Glidden’s Aqua Fiesta, Sherwin-Williams’ Urbane Bronze, Benjamin Moore’s Chestertown Buff, or any of the other diverse color selections. Try some out and see where your creativity takes you!

FIND THE JOY IN 2021

To many of us, the world may look and feel a little different today than a short time ago. But some of the old rules for spurring our creativity still apply. Pushing our personal boundaries, experiencing new things with an open mind, and keeping our perspective open to new ideas will still inspire our art this year and next.

About the Author: Ray Ko is the Senior Ecommerce Manager at shopPOPdisplays, located in New Jersey, shopPOPdisplays is a leading retail displays manufacturer of point-of-purchase displays. Combining over 20 years of experience in branding, content, search engine marketing, Ray is an expert in formulating and implementing e-commerce strategies to drive site traffic, improve user engagement, and increase revenue.

The post 5 Positive Ways to Allow 2021 to Inspire Your Art appeared first on Art Business News.

And there are plenty of other, even crazier examples!

Looking at these examples, it can be rather hard to believe that anyone could ever think of using these tools and materials for painting. But, how can we blame them if, as was said earlier, art knows no limits or boundaries? Besides, if it wasn’t for their odd approach to painting, many of these artists would probably remain unnoticed and, if you think of it this way, it makes pretty good sense why they decided to go far beyond traditional brushes. After all, that’s what made them stand out.

Now, guess what? You can go the same path and also make your paintings stand out if you start thinking beyond the brush. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to use your tongue or blood to paint. You will be surprised by how many more traditional tools you can use.

So, if you are a painting enthusiast yourself, in this article, we are going to tell you about six tools that can make your paintings more fun and definitely more unusual. Let’s dive in!

Blow Torch

Let’s start with something more or less not as surprising. As some of you may already know, regular blow torches (like the ones you can easily find in a local hardware store) have long found an application in art.

If we speak about painting in particular, special art or regular chef torches are mostly used for acrylic pour painting. This form of painting, along with alcohol ink art, is trending these days as many people find it relaxing and even somewhat meditating. The torch, in this case, is needed as a heat source that helps you reduce the surface tension of the paint layers, close bubbles or air pockets, and allow colors of different weights to mix more smoothly.

Sponge

This next tool is also not as odd and most likely can be found right in your kitchen. Sponges are widely used for painting not only by kids and amateurs but also by professional artists.

If you research a bit, you can find dozens of different sponge painting techniques. This tool can be used for a variety of purposes as well. Just to give you a few examples, replacing your brush with a sponge can help you reach very different color combinations, regulate levels of transparency or sheen, and add different textures to your artworks.

Bubble Wrap

If you want to have a very relaxing art session or want to add an eye-grabbing “bubbly” print to your masterpiece, then you can simply use a bubble wrap that came along with your most recent parcel.

This tool is often used in painting to create a really fun effect with inks or acrylic paint. And it is also often being used by kids because it is extremely easy to use – all you need to do is to put paint on top of the bubble wrap, press it to a paper or canvas, and then do whatever you feel like doing to create more and more unique patterns.

Hair Comb

We bet that a hair comb is something most of you have somewhere in your house but have you ever thought about using it for creating unique artworks? Probably not. Although not many of us would think of it, you can be surprised to learn that it is a rather popular tool among artists (and not just painters).

This tool is something most of us always have at hand, and it is easy to use. And the best part of it is that using a hair comb for painting really enables you to unleash your creativity. There are hundreds of patterns you can create with a hair comb – from straight lines to circles, waves, various geometric forms, and more. It can be used for hatching, as well as for adding texture and depth to your artworks.

Scrunched Up Paper

Another interesting and unusual tool you can add to your painter’s kit is a regular scrunched-up piece of paper. It can work great for adding texture and blending colors in a more unusual way. And it is also very easy to use. You just need to scrunch up a piece of paper, put the colors of your choice on top of it, and press or drag it on your canvas to add unique effects.

Body Parts

We’ve already told you about a couple of artists who kind of went to extremes in using their bodies for painting. The good news is that you don’t have to follow their lead and paint your works with the most unexpected parts of your body, but you still can use your body as another tool for painting.

Most often, artists rely on their hands, feet, toes, and fingers to create their masterpieces. As many of you probably think now, that’s a technique used by children to make their first steps in painting. That’s true. But this doesn’t mean that professionals or adult enthusiasts can’t use the same technique to create stunning paintings – if you need proof, just check out a few works by Iris Scott, an artist who made her name specifically on finger painting.

Final Words

If you think that’s all, think again because the number of tools you can use for your artwork is truly unlimited. If you are wondering what else you can use, the answer is – pretty much anything you can find! Apart from what we’ve mentioned so far, some other tools that can come in handy include:

• Toothpicks;
• Toothbrushes;
• Forks;
• Spoons;
• Feathers;
• Fruits and vegetables;
• Plants and flowers;
• Dish scrubbers;
• Coins;
• Stones;
• And plenty of other stuff.

Hopefully, reading this article was fun and enjoyable. Now, you know that your brush set isn’t the only thing you can use to create attention-grabbing paintings and have more fun than ever in the process of creating them!

In conclusion, the only thing we’d like to advise you is to never be afraid of trying new things – experiment with tools, use various materials, don’t limit your imagination, and let it get a bit messy. When you cross this line, that’s where true art is born!

Author’s Bio: This was written by a specialist from EssayService, Julie Gunn. She is a history essay writer with many years of experience but, apart from writing, Julie finds her passion in painting. In this article, Julie shares a list of unusual tools that painters can use to create outstanding artworks.

The post Going Beyond Brushes: Top 6 Tools to Use for Making Your Paintings Stand Out appeared first on Art Business News.

Q: Introduce yourself – who are you and what do you do?

A: My name is Danijela Spitzer, but I present myself as Dani Ropi. I am a photographer in love. My work is based on photography, but I take pictures in sketch form. My specialty is technology, so I apply my images in different programs and paint them digitally. I believe in the future we will stop using our hands, therefore I spend my free time exploring different programs. After I print my work, I caption it with a quote I believe represents each particular piece of art, or I paint some parts of the picture. Usually, it is mixed media, but I love to refer to myself as an art journalist. Every piece of mine has a long story behind the colors I use and the quotes I apply to each image.

Q: What is your background?

A: I was born in Croatia on the Island of Pag. At the age of six, I took my father’s suitcase, packed it with my favorite outfits and snacks, and wrote a letter to my parents saying I was unhappy and was leaving to go on a mission to find my happiness. I was not an easy child. I was raised on a small island where I felt like I was suffocating. There was no room to explore or be creative. My country was at war, I was confused, angry, and aggressive towards everyone. I spent my time on the streets. My twenties were spent living all over Europe – Parma, Italy, Bilbao, Spain, and London, UK. I studied in London but never finished college even though I attended three different schools. College never fit with me, the big hooligan inside of me always had a problem following the system. I learn better by educating myself, listening to my heart, and traveling. 

Q: How do you work?

A: I work in the streets. The street is my beginning and end, filled with people, energy, and action, all of which are variables that inspire me to work. 

Q: What art do you most identify with?

A: I identify most with modern and contemporary art. I like to mix old with new. 

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

A: Leaving everything behind, coming to America, and starting from scratch in New York City. I came here three years ago, when my art did not even exist yet. In just three years I grew, created, learned, and transformed myself into a completely different person, a person I always dreamed about. That is why most of my work is dedicated to my beautiful New York City. Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done but I didn’t give up, even though I wanted to.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: I am not inspired by one person, but rather streets, cities, traveling, breaking the rules, politics, and plain old good conversation. It depends on what mindset I am in, my art is very personal and everything comes from the emotions I am feeling during that time. That is why I call myself a photographer in love. 

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: NEVER GIVE UP.

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: I am lucky to say that work doesn’t feel like work. I go from a state of euphoria to complete stillness. I like to view this as regeneration, like a Phoenix. I can stay at home for months, enjoy myself, and delve into my emotions simply through cleaning or healing my inner circle. This gives me the energy to go back on the street and create my magic again!

Q: Have you been inspired in a new way since the shelter in place orders? Anything new? A recipe, an exercise recommendation?

A: Definitely, this time gave me an opportunity to think, feel, and create. In the middle of everything, I found myself in Tampa, Florida creating new pictures. I also saw how people can react so differently to the events happening in our country. The news of George Floyd has started a revolution. We live in the most inspiring time and I hope we can become the ones who design a new system, a new world. For an artist, that is magic. 

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A: Hello, hello! My name is Tom Lohner, I am addicted to painting and creating. Luckily this is more than a positive “addiction.” My passion became my job about five years ago when I sold out my first art show in Vienna. I create acrylic paintings on pre-collaged canvases or wood panels and I am known for my new art deco style. 

Q: What is your background?

A: In 2008, I finished my degree in communication and graphic design in Graz / Austria at the Ortwein College. I worked my way up through commercial and video production design agencies until I found myself as the art director for CC-Lab where I created stage designs for Lady Gaga, Smashing Pumpkins, Fatboy Slim, Eli Goulding, etc. I quickly switched to art after meeting my current manager who told me, “you can only be successful if you put everything onto one card”, which I did…and he was right. I started doing what I loved most, painting. I learned art from French superstar, Nicolas Thomas, and the American painter, Judith Jay.

Q: How do you work?

A: When I have ideas and visions I quickly sketch them into my sketchbook, capturing the idea within a short time. I schedule time for painting, prepare canvases with collage work, paint on it with acrylics, and then lacquer it.

Q: What art do you most identify with?

A: I most identify with pop surrealism, art nouveau, pop art, surrealism, and new urban art movements. 

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

Q: Who inspires you?

A: My three-year-old daughter, my wife, and music. Songs that push me further than I could imagine possible, great artists like Greg Craola Simkins, Lori Early, Mark Ryden, and many others of pop surrealism and the Lowbrow movement. I’m also inspired by the director and crazy mind Tim Burton.

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: Focus on what you are doing right now, breathe, and live in the moment. 

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: Either in my Whirlpool or with my daughter painting on her mini desk.

Q: Have you been inspired in a new way since the shelter in place orders? Anything new? A recipe, an exercise recommendation?

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A: My name is Anna Thurber, and I call myself an ice artist. I have extensive gardens for my ice, I grow flowers to freeze them, then I study the results by photographing them.

Q: What is your background?

A: Ice has been my focus for the past seven years. Up until that point, everything I did led up to the daily creating for ice. For instance, I painted thousands of architectural glass blocks for ten years before being an ice artist.

Q: How do you work?

A: Making my ice sculptures can take anywhere from one to three weeks to create. They are built in various stages upside down. I create a lens out of ice, and build inside that ice lens. May and October are my busy seasons. During those months, I have multiple freezers that I am constantly rotating my ice in and out on a daily basis. Between maintaining my gardens and building the ice, my art is a 24-hour process. I spend my days gardening and working on the sculptures, then I spend my nights photographing the sculptures. 

Q: What art do you most identify with?

A: Lately I have been really into ephemeral art. My art starts out as a tiny seed and ends in my compost. I love the fact that I can see my pieces transform completely from start to finish. 

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

A: Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would fly my creations, along with hundreds of pounds of ice to be displayed at Spectrum Miami. As they say, getting there is half the fun, and figuring out how to keep my ice frozen while traveling was only the beginning. The experience became even more exhilarating when I chainsawed my ice sculptures in front of the crowds at Spectrum Miami. I work alone, so seeing the reaction of the attendees meant a lot to me. People really seem to enjoy what I do! I am so glad the ice traveled successfully from Boston to Miami and managed to not melt!

Q: Who inspires you?

A: Humanity in general inspires me. I love to watch and learn, we have so much to teach one another.

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: Do what you do. I am still not 100% certain what this ice is all about, but I’ve never been happier. I look forward to each day I can learn more about the ice. Opportunities happen with hard work.

Q: When you are not working, where can we find you?

A: Hopefully with friends and family. My work and my life have become one, it all feeds on itself. When I’m walking my dogs, I am composing botanical compositions in my head. The ice process keeps me coming back.

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