Try Out a New Creative Medium

Do you need to get your friend/relative/spouse/child a gift in a few days? Do you also suffer from a creative slump? Perhaps trying a new creative medium could be the answer to both of these problems. Creativity block is cousin to a well-known problem called writer’s block, and is rumored to affect just about everyone at some moment in time. Often times, the creative block is mental. Perhaps you’ve fallen into a rut with your art (in whatever form it may take) and can’t seem to escape the monotony of your daily routine of creation. It could be time for a change.

In terms of health, when you shock your body by following a new or slightly more difficult exercise regimen you can make larger gains in muscle, and become closer to your target goal of fitness. This lesson can also be transferred to making good use of your mental capacities. Your brain needs a change in scenery in order to function more dynamically. In addition, trying out new mediums of art will give you an opportunity to view the old medium with a new perspective. You’ll gain ideas about how to inventively approach your old hobby.

So, if you’re ready to shock your creative mind, and are willing to try something new, I’ve thought up a small list of potential creative mediums to try out today.

Writing

· Expository

· Narrative

· Creative

· Persuasive

· Poetry

· Prose

Drawing/Painting

· Watercolor

· Pastel

· Oil

· Acrylic

· Pencil charcoal

· Calligraphy

Scrapbooking/Paper crafts

· Card-making (for different holidays, seasons, occasions)

· Decoupaging

Sewing

· Fashion

· Felt stuffed animals

Miscellaneous

· Acting

· Woodworking

· Decorating (interior or garden)

· Editing/shooting videos

The beauty of trying out a new medium of art is that you might be inspired, but that you also might have something special that reminds you of someone in your life. As such, you can gift this creation to that certain person for their birthday or other occasion. Because after all, a special occasion creates a need for creativity.

Feel free to post any other art forms that I haven’t listed in the comments below.

P. S. If this list inspires you but it turns out that you don’t have enough money to fund a new artistic endeavor, then take this simple tip: Shop your garage. Much like shopping your closet, you’re bound to find treasures galore. Markers you never knew you had, oil pastels, prismacolor pencils, old cloth, etc. Next in the Stretch Your Thinking Series will be tips on how to use old materials and a little imagination to shape your creation into something giftable.

Check out the rest of the Stretch Your Thinking Series