I use colors, shapes, and juxtaposition to create new compositions.
Juxtaposition means to place two things next to each other to create a new meaning or effect. I’ll often take two colors that are complete opposites and put them next to each other to get me thinking differently!
Here are seven steps that will make you more creative:
1. Make Time for Creative Activities If you want to be creative, you need to make time for creative activities. This means setting aside time each day, or each week, to focus on your creative pursuits. It doesn’t matter how much time you set aside, as long as you are consistent. I like to set aside an hour each day to work on my art. This is my creative time and I use it to experiment with new techniques, try out new ideas, and just generally play around. This hour is for me and my creativity, and I make sure to not schedule anything else during this time.
2. Set Some Structure While it’s important to have some time that is unstructured and free for creative exploration, it can also be helpful to set some structure for your creative endeavors. This could mean setting a goal for each creative session, or having a specific project in mind that you want to complete. I find that if I have too much structure, I start to feel constricted and my creativity suffers. But if I have no structure at all, I can often get lost and end up wasting time. So, I like to find a happy medium. I might set a goal for each session, such as “experiment with three new color combinations” or “try out five new wordplay techniques.” This gives me a general idea of what I want to do, but leaves plenty of room for exploration.
3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and end up doing the same thing over and over again. If you want to stay creative, it’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things. I like to do this by Challenging myself to use new materials, or to experiment with techniques that are outside of my comfort zone. For example, if I normally use acrylic paint, I might challenge myself to use watercolors. Or, if I’m comfortable with painting, I might try my hand at sculpture. By pushing myself to try new things, I ensure that my creativity stays alive and well.
4. Be Curious Curiosity is a great way to stay creative. If you’re curious about something, you’re more likely to want to explore it and to find new ways to approach it. I like to be curious about everything. I’ll often find myself asking “what if” questions, or wondering how something works. This curiosity leads me to new ideas and new ways of thinking. And, it’s a lot of fun!
5. Be Persistent Creativity doesn’t always come easy. There will be times when you feel like you’ve hit a wall and you can’t seem to come up with anything new. If you want to stay creative, you need to be persistent. I like to remind myself that these creative blocks are only temporary. I know that if I keep working, eventually something will click and I’ll be back on track. I also find it helpful to take a break when I’m feeling stuck. I’ll step away from my work for a little while and come back later with fresh eyes. This usually allows me to see my work in a new light and to come up with new ideas.
6. Be Open to Feedback It’s important to be open to feedback if you want to stay creative. This feedback can come from yourself, from others, or from the world around you. I like to get feedback from others. I’ll often share my work with friends or family and ask for their honest opinion. This feedback can be helpful in seeing my work from a different perspective. I also like to get feedback from the world around me. I’ll take note of the reactions that my work elicits, both positive and negative. This can help me to see what is and isn’t working and to make adjustments accordingly.
7. Take Care of Yourself If you want to stay creative, it’s important to take care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising. It also means taking breaks when you need them and not working yourself too hard. I like to make sure that I’m taking care of myself so that I can be at my best when I’m working. I know that if I’m well-rested and healthy, I’ll be able to think more clearly and be more creative. I also like to take breaks when I need them. If I’m feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, I’ll take a few days off to recharge. This allows me to come back to my work with fresh energy and new ideas.
