Overcoming Creative Block: Fear, the Blank Page, and the Power of Love
Have you ever sat in front of a blank page, brush in hand, and felt completely frozen? I have—many times. That quiet, almost paralyzing moment when inspiration feels far away, and you're left with nothing but silence. You might think, “Maybe I’m just not inspired today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll paint.”
But what if what you're feeling isn’t a lack of inspiration… what if it’s fear?
Recently, I was reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and one quote struck me deeply:
“Fear is what blocks an artist. Fear of not being good enough, fear of not finishing, fear of failure—and fear of success. Fear of not beginning at all. And there is only one cure for fear: love. Use the love for your artist to cure the fear.”
Her words made me reflect on my own journey. As artists, we often place so much pressure on ourselves to create something great, something worthy. But that very pressure is what makes it so difficult to create anything at all. Eventually, we stop creating.
What if I’m not good enough?
What if no one likes what I make?
What if I’m wasting time, materials, energy?
But what if we changed the question?
What if we gave ourselves permission to begin small? What if we allowed ourselves to create imperfectly, to explore, to play?
You don’t have to be a great artist to be an artist.
We are all artists, because we were created by the Great Artist.
Every artist carries a child within. And just like every child, our artist-self needs love, kind words, and encouragement to thrive.
Love casts out fear. Let that be your starting place today.
You just have to begin. And sometimes, that beginning looks like baby steps, a soft sketch, a gentle wash of color, a simple shape. That’s more than enough.
Love your artist self. Be kind to her or him. Feed their curiosity, not their criticism. Choose love over fear, again and again.
You’ll be amazed at what starts to bloom when you do.
What Are Baby Steps? How to Start Creating Again
So, what do “baby steps” actually look like?
Here are three small but powerful things I do when I don’t know what to paint. I hope they help you too:
1. Create a Mood Board of Inspiration
One of the best ways to break through the fear of the blank page is to collect visual inspiration. For example, in August, my newsletter subscribers voted for the theme of Food Illustration. Right away, I imagined painting a cappuccino and a buttery croissant in a soft picnic scene.
I went on Pinterest and Google and looked for antique porcelain dishes in blue tones, croissants, cups of coffee, and beige mats with tassels. Then, I used Canva to remove the backgrounds and arrange them into a composition that inspired me. Once I had that visual guide, I drew and painted from it.
A common myth is that artists create purely from imagination. But the truth is, most of us paint from what we see, from nature, from real life, from reference photos. So don’t sit and wait for a magical idea to appear out of nowhere. Seek out images that speak to you: landscapes, flowers, animals, objects… Whatever stirs your heart or even from your dreams!
2. Save Art That Inspires You
When you're scrolling through Instagram and something catches your eye, an illustration, a painting, a color palette, save it. Use it later when you feel stuck. Sometimes, by imitating other artists' ideas or styles, we start discovering our own voice. Think of it as learning through observation and practice.
3. Take a Class or Follow a Prompt
Another great way to overcome creative block is to join an online class, like the ones on Skillshare, where you can follow step-by-step projects. My monthly newsletter also includes a new subject to paint each month, complete with a drawing template and step-by-step instructions. These are prompts, invitations to paint something specific without needing to come up with the idea from scratch.
Gentle Words of Encouragement for the Artist in You
Lastly, I want to leave you with something very special that I learned from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: simple but powerful truths that affirm your right to create.
Choose five of these and reflect on them this week. Let them guide you gently as you silence the inner critic, that voice that says “You’re not good enough,” or “Why keep going if others create more beautiful things?”
I’ve had to quiet that voice many times. But then I remember these words, and I remember God’s words, too: “Keep painting. Keep creating. Use the gift I gave you.”
We don’t only create for others.
We create for ourselves, too.
It’s a way of healing, of expressing what we feel deep inside, just like writing, or any form of art.
Here are some truths to speak over yourself:
- I have an unique talent to use
- I am a good person and a good artist.
- Creativity is a blessing I accept.
- My creativity uplifts others.
- My creativity is appreciated.
- I treat myself and my creativity more kindly.
- I believe that God gives everyone a special gift and talent.
- I don't need to compare
- I now allow God to unfold in my life.
And finally, remember this:
We are all artists, because we were created by the Great Artist.
Every artist is a child inside. And just like every child, our artist-self needs love, kind words, and encouragement to grow.
Love casts out fear.
Let that be your starting place today.
Flay 🐝
Try a Class or Join My Newsletter
If you'd like to keep painting and need ideas and inspiration, I invite you to explore my watercolor classes or join my email community:
🎨 Try one month of Skillshare for free and take my watercolor classes here
📩 Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and receive painting prompts, tips, and free templates here
Let’s keep painting with love and joy, one baby step at a time.
What about you?
What are your favorite tips or methods to overcome creative blocks or the fear of not being good enough?
Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!