Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists

by Danielle Krysa

Creative block presents the most crippling—and unfortunately universal—challenge for artists. No longer! This chunky blockbuster of a book is chock-full of solutions for overcoming all manner of artistic impediment. The blogger behind The Jealous Curator interviews 50 successful international artists working in different mediums and mines their insights on how to conquer self-doubt, stay motivated, and get new ideas to flow. Each artist offers a tried-and-true exercise—from road trips to 30-day challenges to cataloging the medicine cabinet— that will kick-start the creative process. Abundantly visual with more than 300 images showcasing these artists' resulting work, Creative Block is a vital ally to students, artists, and creative professionals.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Creative, Writing, Design

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Danielle Krysa has a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Victoria, and a post-grad in design from Sherian College. She began her career as a painter, but her love for graphic design quickly changed her interest from painting to mixed media - specifically collages filled with narratives, negative space, and pop cultural references. (Danielle Krysa is also is the writer behind the contemporary art site, The Jealous Curator, and the author of Creative Block, Collage and Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk.) Danielle lives and works in British Columbia, Canada.

Danielle has been making work for years, but she’s been focused on her current body of work since late 2015. Using found images, bright blooms/swashes of paint, and long funny titles, she is truly embracing her lifelong love of story telling.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a sort of pretension that comes with early success. It makes me kinda stabby. Many of these artist don’t offer much in the way of exercises because they haven’t really worked out a working practice for themselves. And there is something so disingenuous when offering exercises for creative blocks but hastily claiming you’ve never experienced it yourself. Anyway, some nice pictures of very current (read: not enduring) illustration art. There are a couple of artists in there that do seem admirable and I was glad to briefly meet them in the pages. Save your money and get it from the library.

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is more of an artist showcase than a project collection. The artworks shown are not related to the project ideas, and there are no examples. This is definitely not a how-to book or one I would use in a creative workshop. There are much better books out there to stimulate the actual production of works.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully expected to love this book. I've been reading (and loving) The Jealous Curator for many years and Danielle has featured a bunch of these artists on her site. What I didn't expect was to read this book, cover to cover, in sequential order, in a matter of days. I thought I'd leave it there on the coffee table and just sort of pick it up and peruse through it occasionally, when I felt like looking at pretty pictures, being inspired, or, yes, when I needed a bit of unblocking. Instead I opened it to page one on the day it hit my doorstep and that was that. I took it to bed with me at night. I stuffed it in my bag when I went out. I couldn't stop greedily reading about artist after brilliant artist (I am *this* close to challenging myself to try every single "Creative Unblock" project in the book). This is such a lovely, inspirational read, so tightly packed with useful advice and project ideas. I'll be going back to this one for years.

[Lisa Steadman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got really bored with the interviews really quickly. It became repetitive and i started to just breeze over a lot. But i thought the prompts were fun and the occasional question/response.

[Ctny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The format is tedious and exhausting due to the fact that many of the artists had the same or similar advice. Nearly all the artists interviewed are white(just noting).

[Am Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately useful. Contains interviews with 50 artists, asking them questions about why they chose to be an artist, when they realised they were actually one, who they look up to, & so on. Every artist then contributes one idea to help with getting creative. E.g. One of them suggested "drawing blind" - just allowing your pen to flow on paper without lifting it or looking at what you were creating, until you felt you were done. Some of the ideas were good. The interviews I mostly didn't find interesting or helpful.

[elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't really know what the use of "lack of sleep is good" advice is anymore but there it is in the first interview. lol.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library and held on to it far too long because I was savoring every bit of artistic advice and every gorgeous work of art contained within. I will now purchase this book.

[Ivonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book. The interviews, though a little flawed, show you a little of the world and process of 50 artists and give you some ideas on interesting exercises to make when you're feeling stuck or if you want to "feel like an artist". Great coffee table book.

[Ian Kloester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic to see and read how other people help themselves find their ideas when it's a struggle. Beautiful to look at and easy to read. A keeper for your library.

[Leslie Leffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing a dense literary classic, this book was a great pallet cleanser. Reading about and looking at different artists' work through their own perspectives inspired me to start projects I've been putting off. It's reassuring to know that even professional artists get "stuck" sometimes, and I loved reading about how they get themselves out of a funk.

My only critique is that the book uses a nearly identical interview format for each of the 50 artists throughout, so reading it from start to finish became somewhat redundant. It is, however an excellent reference book for anyone who considers themselves a maker.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title was not as rewarding for me as A Big Important Art Book, but I do enjoy and find value in learning about other artists' studio practices and life experiences. I found it more valuable to read a few bits at a time and then set it down/come back to it, whereas I read A Big Important Art Book cover to cover in one sitting.

[Robert Genevro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art: opinions, variety of artwork, projects

The interviewer asks 50 artists questions I ask myself: Why do you make art? How do you feel when you're in the zone? How do you deal with blocks in creativity? You get to see samples of a wide variety of art; paintings, embroidery, collage, sculptures... It is insightful and fun to read.

[Philippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is already a few years old but still available from the publisher. It is bathroom reading in our house. That does nothing to diminish its value. In fact, it remains an entertaining, nicely designed and useful prompt for creative pursuits. I love the mix of artist profiles, unBlock advice and plentiful imagery. Recommended.

3.5 stars.

[Rhea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8
Valuable information - some of the exercises are pretty neat and got me thinking 🤔 but by and large this book is repetitive in its messaging, which is but natural because it’s the same questions for all artists. Also it’s meant for crafty artsy people so writers like myself have to be creative about using the creative exercises lol. I hope this made sense?

[Sophie L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars because it is not the books fault that it was not what I expected.

The creative unblocking do have some interesting ideas and it's worth skimming through this to see how artists think about themselves, creative blocks, and criticism--though it's not academic in any way, shape, or form.

[Aminah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to give you insight to other artists beginnings, process, struggles, and ideas on how to unblock. Was able to find some parallels with a few of the artists and some new ideas to unblock and create.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the artist interviews, even though I wished they were longer and more varied. The ideas to overcome a creative block are hugely varied and inspiring!

[Molly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Interesting to see different artists and their struggles and successes in art. It would be cool if at the end the projects were listed.

[Teri Temme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas and motivation.

[Tara Panrucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and still use it to keep on creating!

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

these quilt blocks are too artful for me to actually make.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very nice work here.

[Ada Selçuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the projects. Some of the artists were amazing as well.

[Scott Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun, immersive way to jumpstart your creativity like a tired car battery! Definitely recommend.

[Madhavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short interviews with 50 artists on their approach and to art and artist's block. Captures each of their works as well.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a portfolio of artists work but a few little projects ideas are included.

[Alli_aye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some great ideas to crack open creativity, there’s a few I’ve taken on board. Also an artist showcase of US artists, includes the odd Aussie artist

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a book study. It is not a book you can read in one go. The format is a Q&A for different working artists. It doesn't have magical unblocking projects, mostly some basic topic prompts or foundational ideas but still is valuable for the struggling artist. As an educator, I can see these exercises helping many of my developing, young artists. As an artist, sometimes breaking away from standard creative method is valuable to help you work through your slumps.

[Sabrina Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of insightful interviews and cool prompts and ideas!