The Creative Process: Working With the 5 Stages to Overcome Creative Resistance

If you have never read Anahata's article on creative productivity I am happy to share it with you today. Anahata's candid expression of the process is something I think about at those times when I feel like I "hit a wall".

THE CREATIVE PROCESS
by Anahata Katkin

I believe resistance is part of the natural creative expansion. Creative expansion is the juicy stuff artwork is made of. Some artists display a faster process and can work more fluidly. I believe this is due to how they react when they hit the edge of a creative expansion.

Artwork is made up of steps and mental landscapes. Like a good music soundtrack there are moods and different stages of fluidity and tone. Learning to navigate our creative process is about how our individual minds and emotions operate. The good news is it doesn't require any mental activity as much as a general awareness while working.

Stage 1: Bloom
When you're just damn inspired.
I generally have a BLOOM state where I can easily get engaged and enjoy the process immensely. I feel impulsive and guided to an extent and at this point my mind gets excited and interested in the project. It's a time of gathering, contemplating, enjoyment, and play. Materials come easily and there is a general well being about the prospect of the artwork. Try the best you can to stay with this segment as long as possible. I try and ride this wave in one sitting. When I begin a project I like to have enough time that I can stay in this groove if I have stayed inspired...otherwise...

Stage 2: Resistance
Then suddenly I hit a place where I have maximized that stage and I hit that RESISTANCE. Resistance will occur naturally in the first third of the project. Almost every time! Learn to expect it. Do not be surprised when you suddenly hit the edge of your honeymoon phase. It is REAL for everyone. The voice of reason is loud, convincing, and intense. It can show up in the form of boredom, disinterest, frustration,  tiredness, comparing, and exaggerated mental chatter about your artwork. Nor I have recognized the value and realize that I have to work in spite of that voice. It is crucial during the resistance phase that you keep on working! The more you pause and stop working the mere power and habit you establish with resistance. Most people stop right here and don't push further. This defines an artist from everybody else. Artists will work through this nagging stage and move into the sweetness of creating in time. They have learned to expect this irritating part and they trust that it's temporary. At this point try your best to observe the critic without reacting to it. Your critic will have some good ideas if you ask yourself questions like: What is it I don't like and what flashes into my mind as solutions?" That should be the extent of the power you offer your resistance. The resistance only signals that you have hit the edge of your creative breath. And when this happens it simply shows you that it is time for a new strategy or another creative inhalation. Solution of phase 2...

Step 3: PING PONG

...and that's when I like to ping pong between materials. Being that I am focusing on mixed media artwork and that is primarily how I like to create we have an added advantage. When I reach my resistance phase or in a scene a place of critical mass, I bounce to a new material and a new perspective. Drop your current medium and pick up a new one. Stop painting and start drawing on the same piece. Change colors. Use your hands instead of a brush. Do something unpredictable to get the energy moving again. The trick seems to be move even more quickly and implosively at this point.  Remember your critic will be trying to grow by using your impulsive instincts you will learn to tame the critic faster. With “ping ponging” you can gain a real momentum in the artwork and trick your brain into a new place. You can get your mind to come along for the ride by doing this rather than letting your mind dominate what you’re up to. Change your focus from the main image perhaps to the broader. Lay down some charcoal in border areas, switch to fine pointed pen details or doodling for a little bit. Anything that will hone your intuitive creative eye and switch your perspective. Practice step two and step three EVERY TIME you create anything. It is a lifelong skill that will serve your creativity every time.

Stage 4: Full Expression
My high school art teacher told me once that the moments when you return to a piece of artwork after a period of struggle are the most supreme moments in the creative process. I have never forgotten that and it has been a great discovery every day. During the resistance part of your process I believe it creates a kind of artistic vacuum. A puddle of skill and life force builds up behind all of that resistance- because while you are resisting you are also asking from within yourself to be able to express yourself. And once the resistance is released all of that good stuff comes shooting in with a rocket of ability and artistic expression. And this place generally feels good and easy. Music sounds sweeter, the project seems to be coming together. Your body is able to move along with the brush. It’s the cream of the process and it’s what we all look for as artists.

Stage 5: Completion
I often find that I might experience the first couple of stages again before I am ready for completion. Depending on the scope of the project this can happen many times. But at some point there will be a refining, a detail time. I find at this point I have a pen dialogue between myself and the artwork. I understand the piece more and the direction of it. I work on the details of colors and patterns, pen designs and finishing touches. I generally know I am there by the slowing down quality. The desire to fuss over it like a Christmas tree and fresh tinsel. I keep wanting to go see the piece through fresh eyes. That’s when I know it’s finished.

- Anahata Katkin 2006

Comments

[tiredness]

Try to get some decent sleep

* Aim for a regular sleep routine - this means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day
* Make sure your bedroom is neither too hot nor too cold
* Don't eat too close to your bedtime
* Make sure your thoughts and activities are relaxing ones as bedtime nears - listen to soothing music, have a warm bath
* Try to clear your mind of worrying thoughts as bedtime approaches
* Some people find that writing their thoughts down in a diary helps

[tiredness]

Try to get some decent sleep

* Aim for a regular sleep routine - this means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day
* Make sure your bedroom is neither too hot nor too cold
* Don't eat too close to your bedtime
* Make sure your thoughts and activities are relaxing ones as bedtime nears - listen to soothing music, have a warm bath
* Try to clear your mind of worrying thoughts as bedtime approaches
* Some people find that writing their thoughts down in a diary helps

[tiredness]

Try to get some decent sleep

* Aim for a regular sleep routine - this means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day
* Make sure your bedroom is neither too hot nor too cold
* Don't eat too close to your bedtime
* Make sure your thoughts and activities are relaxing ones as bedtime nears - listen to soothing music, have a warm bath
* Try to clear your mind of worrying thoughts as bedtime approaches
* Some people find that writing their thoughts down in a diary helps

[Ananda]

grateful to be reminded... learned these a few times now thru website, workshops and take home packets from anahata... lucky we are to have it broken down.. again, thanks for the reminder

[Kimberly]

I love your work and love that you shared your creative process.