4 Ways Visual Art Helps Reduce Writer’s Block

Please enjoy this blog post by guest writer Anna Busalacchi.  

Writer’s Block is frustrating—especially with the pressure and expectation that we must feel inspired all the time. Sometimes, finding inspiration isn’t as easy as some make it seem.

With my interest in all things artsy, I researched the connections between visual art and writing and have put together a list of 4 ways visual art and images can help you reduce writer’s block.

Draw ideas in a Sketchbook.

Instead of writing out your ideas with words, try drawing them! You do not have to be “good” at drawing by any means. Think of a sketch like the brainstorming part of the writing process. Take a sketchbook and some pens or pencils and try to visualize your ideas on the paper. This will give you concepts to refer to later. Feel free to add color as well.

Create Pinterest Boards.

This is a popular option, but so worth it! Creating Pinterest boards for different concepts or ideas can be a great way to reduce that horrible writer’s block. Even if you do not have any specific ideas in mind at all, just start by making some boards with similar-looking photos. How do the photos in the board make you feel? What do they represent? Asking these questions can help to spark a little bit of inspiration.

 

[image error]  screenshots taken from my Pinterest: faithfullyblooming

 

Try Art Therapy.

Art Therapy can come in many different forms, but it’s a great way to reduce stress and clear your mind from any distractions that may keep you from coming up with ideas.

Focus on how you are feeling and try to draw or paint your emotion(s).
Make a collage of photos that can act as an inspiration or goal board. This one is almost like making a Pinterest board, but instead, you physically will print, cut, and arrange photos.
Color! Grab a coloring book, or print some coloring sheets, and gather some colored pencils, crayons, or markers and just color. This one is super simple and doesn’t take much thinking, yet, still gets your brain thinking more creatively.

Here’s a link to 100 Art Therapy Exercises for more ideas:

https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-resources/100-art-therapy-exercises/

Write about art.

Take a trip to a local museum or search online for some images of famous artwork. Simply write about what you see in the painting and come up with a meaning for the artwork. Your interpretation is completely unique to you and there is no right or wrong answer. Focusing in on the artwork helps to enhance creativity and stimulate deeper thinking. Make up a backstory for the subject in the painting. Write about who or what the subject is, where they came from, or what brought them to where they are in the painting. This automatically gives you a little writing prompt to help bring you out of your rut!

Which technique sounds most interesting to you? Leave a comment below!