My biblionautic chums and friends.
Thud.
noun
1. a dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground or on to something: "it hit the custard with a thud"
verb
1. move, fall, or strike something with a dull, heavy sound: "the chocolate drops thudded into the custard"
That sound no creative wants to hear.
Where the mind is blank and the block, the creative block, drops with an audible, ominous thud.
Thud happens.
It can happen at any time and for any number of reasons.
As a bookbinder/book artist I am able to make books. The mechanics of the construction along with the application and manipulation of various materials are skills that I have learnt and teach. Yes, there can and is creativity in the forwarding (in simple terms, the making of the basics of a book) however, it is, by and large, memory both in muscle and mind. Perhaps one could say, in the main, a remembered series of actions, some simple some not so simple. But actions that can be taught and learnt.
I, along with other contemporary bookbinders use the text block as their inspiration in much the same way that, lets say in general terms, a still-life artist would use an arrangement of objects. Of course how one sees or is able to abstract from/with the arrangement of objects or in the case of the contemporary bookbinder.. the text, imagery etc is open to individual interpretation. The completed work is a combination of traditional formats and materials, canvas, pigments, board, cloth, leather etc. Along side the creativity of the realisation of those thoughts, abstractions and individual interpretations to produce a finished work that is balanced and coherent. For the contemporary bookbinder a designed binding if you will.
Of course, as a book artist I produce the text block along with the binding and, as often as not, an extended environment. In short the total book.
However, that creative block can still thud.
Many have said that I was ‘lucky’ to have gone to art college. Trust me, luck had nothing to do with it. It was a conscious decision. I just did not happen to find myself at art college, it was not a roll of the dice. As a child I was aware of artists and the reality of what an artists life could be like, I was under no illusion that either art college and my subsequent working life and further education would be easy. From my graduating year a fraction went on to University. (when a BA actually meant something and not uni which is now, in the main seen as a right. I of course write from the perspective of being in the UK, I realise that for many people even a basic education is something that is not available) Most of us got stuck into the real world, I went free lance, again not by ‘luck’ but a choice. Many of us found it impossible, the dream of being an ‘artist’ was too far away. Dreams and goals changed. The propagated reality of life became reality.. most became mainstream. Finding work in what is often described as ‘proper jobs’, following a defined career path with all the associated benefits. I realise there are down sides but from my perspective having the security of the wage packet made me so jealous. Likewise they were jealous of my perceived freedom.
However, whilst at art college I had the good fortune to have excellent teachers. Many were working professionals who taught part time. They were not institutionalised. They taught us for the real world, and given the desire and direction, how to get on with the job.
I remember much of what I was taught... Day one- how to sharpen a pencil and so forth. One lecture/talk that I can still recall was about the creative block. First we were informed that rarely does an idea pop in to the head, it is usually worked and teased, chewed over and spat out etc. And in response to the thud...simple steps to help us work through the creative block.
Accept that blocks happen not only to you but everyone else. Don’t try to force an idea. Try coming in to the work from an oblique angle or narrow the brief to define to a new starting point.
Work on something completely different. Put the thud on a back burner and turn your mind to a new project. Forget any perceived rules, just go for it. The project can be simple, just to relax or get the juices moving. Often with the act of doing something, anything other than the thud engages the mind, can open up mind space.
Try talking the project through with a colleague or colleagues that are not yes people. People who you know will give you their honest opinion and help. Bouncing ideas around, having a different perspective often opens doors. It is difficult in the situation we all now face but with the chance for those of us that have access to the internet with the various forms of social interaction available, thoughts and opinions to questions are never too long in being put forward. Asking for help or thoughts is not a weakness it is an acknowledgement that you need input.. the all important third person who is able to see things differently. But, if I may add, do not go down the ‘design by committee’ road. In the end no one, most importantly you, is happy. One has only to look at the lack lustre public buildings that often pollute our urbanscape.
The Sherlock approach can also be considered. By moving on from what is definitely not of use will get you closer to what is of use. The process of elimination.
A simple way to combat thud is to change your working environment. Work at an other bench or change your view. Re-arrange the books on the shelves or the pictures on the wall. Tidy the studio, I do this quite often.. It usually means that I and the students are unable to find anything for a while but it is very cathartic. It works for me! Just ask my students how often things have moved or cannot be found.
One method I use is to look beyond my discipline. Study at how other artists, artisans, craft peoples and idea smiths use and interpret the materials they employ to realise their finished work. One thing can spark off a chain reaction.
For me being creative is the old 1% inspiration 99% perspiration cliche. Perhaps, the more I gain experience the more I am able to dig inspiration out of the tool bag. Some of us make the creative appear to be so natural, that it is easy, effortless. This often belies the years of experience, practise and a very big tool bag to dig in to. Being able to work through the thud is a skill as much as walking the tight or slack rope of creativity. I am confident that many of us have had and will have thud in the future, just as many of us have our own ways of dealing with it.
In short do not let thud grind you down.
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Thud.
