The Creative Block

The painting is inspired by the paralysis and encroaching nature of the “creative block”. I’ve sat countless times staring into space, hoping for inspiration to paint, feeling that wall closing in. Sometimes the paralysis gets the better of me and I go a few months (or years!) without picking up the paintbrush. Other times, I let myself sit in it for a brief moment before forcing myself to go out and find inspiration (e.g. I love going to a museum or going for a walk!), or trying a few new things to spark an idea.

I've tried my best to provide clear and accurate photos of this work, but please note that colour nuances may not be captured perfectly by digital media and vary from screen to screen.

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I create art as a hobby, both to completely disconnect from my corporate job and to reconnect with my inner child who loved to draw, design, imagine and make. I’m self-taught, with a love for the different modern western art movements that occurred between the late 1800s and in to the first half of the 20th century.

My intention when I paint is not to achieve realism, but to bring the viewer into the painting to experience a fleeting, yet common human feeling, thought or observation - a familiarity to remind us that we're not alone in our experiences. To express this, I like to play with colour and loose brushstrokes, and be open to a range of styles from landscapes and figurative paintings, to still lifes and abstraction.

After completing a Masters Degree in Art History in 2020 I realised that there are so many other kinds and styles of art that inspire me and for which I hope to continue studying and reflecting in my own practice. I aim to learn something new with everything I create, which is what motivates me to continue to make art.

You can find more on my Instagram @jhoannamonteart