What I really look forward to first though is looking through and reorganizing the "stuff" that I use to create my art. I don't think I've actually shown you a picture of what that collection looks like, have I? Well, there are full shelves, as well as various boxes and Rubbermaids overflowing around on the floor that house my goodies. While I feel it is essential to have a big assortment to draw from, there is a fine line between being inspired and being overwhelmed. So, often sorting, reorganizing and just looking through everything is a great prelude to actually creating art. Creative foreplay is how one artistic friend described it.
Not only do I forget what I have buried in the piles, but different things speak to me at different times. Something that left me cold 6 months ago may create shock waves of excitement now. Other pieces tell me, point blank, that they need to go in the outdoor, out-of-my-sight box because they doing nothing for me. Some may even get donated back to the Goodwill bins.
I consider my art a process, and this is part of the process, the sorting and searching. It is a time that allows my subconscious to play with what it is seeing, while my left brain thinks it is organizing. Usually this time is followed by a huge creative burst of energy with numerous pieces coming into being quickly.
Creative block can hit us all, but if you can identify what process helps break that block, you are on your way to having control over it. Whether it is cleaning your studio, sorting your stuff, doing a magazine photo collage, doodling, dancing, whatever mindless/thoughtless activity it is that frees you up, identify it as a major tool in your creative process and use it whenever needed.