How to Avoid Artist's Block

One way to avoid an artist's block is to keep your hands busy even while your brain is on vacation.

In today's video, see a demo of the new Heidi Swapp toner based screen printing ink and mist. This is a good time of year (for me) to do small tasks, try things out and play in a not-so-focused way. This may be the best way to ward off artist's block. Especially for very busy people. Carving out a few minutes a day for any kind of artistic play puts you in the winners circle.

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Here area some affiliate links. Scrapbook.com had some really great prices on both the Mini Minc machine and MISTI stamping tool. (As of today, July 22). These are larger purchases. If you teach or share your tools, you can justify a purchase like this by sharing costs. I like them both a lot. As usual, use what you have. 

 

 

Ranger Archival Ink Pad PLUM AIP31499	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Toner Mist	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen - Lines	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen - Floral	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen Ink
Mini MISTI - Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Starter Kit - 6 Inch Mini Foil Applicator	Hero Arts Color Layering SEAHORSE BUNDLE SB110	Hero Arts Clear Stamps COLOR LAYERING SEAHORSE CL956	Hero Arts Color Layering OCTOPUS CM104
Hero Arts Color Layering GOLDFISH BUNDLE SB109	Hero Arts Color Layering Frame Cuts OCTOPUS DI304	Therm O Web GOLD Deco Foil Transfer Sheets iCraft 51025

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Donna]

Hi Diana,
We're sweltering here on the NH coast as well. No sea breezes and 90+ at 7:30 in the evening. Ugh!
What kind of die cut machine do you have? I keep thinking of getting one but can't justify anything expensive because I'm not sure I'd use it that much and the dies are so expensive.
Donna

[Mary W.]

Hey Diana! Yessss - feeling completely wilted in this heat! I really think you're onto something with busy hands and setting aside even a 10 minute creative time. I try to get to my workspace for at least a little while each day after work, even if that time is just a few minutes spent just preparing surfaces or cutting out images or gessoing pages for future use. And, especially when time is tight and things are stressful, that time to just breathe and open your brain up to think in a different way means so much.

[Julia S]

What a beautiful project! Thank you so much for including our Deco Foil on it!

[Diana Trout]

Thanks Julia! I love to pull out the Decofoil :)

[Diana Trout]

I love that you talk about preparing surfaces and cutting things up. That work inspires me, and gives me room to breathe and think. Thanks Mary.

[Diana Trout]

Jeez. Even up in NH. I’d think it would be cooler there. I took the plunge about a year ago and got a Sizzix Big Shot. I was really not convinced until I began to look at ways to use it. I absolutely love it. And I use it a lot. And yes, I got some very simple dies and started off slowly. I still think twice (or 3x’s) before buying a new die set. It’s a tough decision. Ultimately, one of the things that swayed me was that I could use it for my classes.

[Sharon Field]

Better late than never and I am so glad I got to see this post. It really made me chuckle.....you ARE all over the place, but do a great job with wherever you are...LOL Loved the projects and the video. I just ordered the Minc supplies that you used in this video and the new colored foils and cannot wait to get them. Keep cool, girl!!

[Diana Trout]

That is very nice of you to say, Sharon. And rewarding to hear. That MInc machine is fun fun fun! Enjoy