The Naked Creative

How creatives work and what you can learn from the process

Dreaming

I Dreamt I Met Keanu Reeves and HE Was Excited to Meet ME!

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on July 27, 2024

When the demons of self-doubt throw up blocks to the creative process, picture an alternate universe in which your art-making idol champions you.

When the demons of self-doubt throw up blocks to the creative process, picture an alternate universe in which your art-making idol champions you.

Creativity

How to Triumph Over the Blank Page

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on July 13, 2024

You have an idea. You've bought the supplies. You've set aside the time. Now what? To overcome the daunting fear of the blank page, focus on the process, not the product.

You have an idea. You've bought the supplies. You've set aside the time. Now what? To overcome the daunting fear of the blank page, focus on the process, not the product.

Creativity

Not All Art-Making Is Making Marks on Paper

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on June 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: The creative process often requires downtime that allows ideas to ferment and incubate.

A Personal Perspective: The creative process often requires downtime that allows ideas to ferment and incubate.

Creativity

How to Train for the Daily Quest of the Hero Creative

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on April 20, 2024

Creatives embark on a hero's journey with daily quests to make art that tests their courage and bravery. Intentional ceremonies honor that personal quest and ramp up creativity.

Creatives embark on a hero's journey with daily quests to make art that tests their courage and bravery. Intentional ceremonies honor that personal quest and ramp up creativity.

Procrastination

Deadlines: Debunking the Dawdler's Dilemma

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on February 29, 2024

The phrase "Deadlines help you focus" often rings true, but artists and makers sometimes eschew dates as a counter to the creative process. Going public intensifies focus.

The phrase "Deadlines help you focus" often rings true, but artists and makers sometimes eschew dates as a counter to the creative process. Going public intensifies focus.

Motivation

Demystifying the Triangle of All Human Behavior

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on February 18, 2024

Creatives often lose sight of their goals. Focus on your effort, not your talent, and reward the baby steps.

Creatives often lose sight of their goals. Focus on your effort, not your talent, and reward the baby steps.

Productivity

The Effective and Simple Post-It Note for Productivity

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on January 31, 2024

A Personal Perspective: As resolutions fall by the wayside, we still seek a system to heighten productivity. Instead of ramping up, try pairing down.

A Personal Perspective: As resolutions fall by the wayside, we still seek a system to heighten productivity. Instead of ramping up, try pairing down.

Creativity

How to Keep Going When You Want Your Art to Be Perfect

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on January 9, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Artists, creatives, and makers seek to perfect their products, but unintended mistakes can derail their progress. Solution: Try a few intentional flubs.

A Personal Perspective: Artists, creatives, and makers seek to perfect their products, but unintended mistakes can derail their progress. Solution: Try a few intentional flubs.

Creativity

This Year, Set Yourself Up for Success, Not Failure

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

The media is all abuzz with tips to make the coming year a success. But no one mentions resolutions again until next New Year's Day. Instead, use this tip to get your ball rolling.

The media is all abuzz with tips to make the coming year a success. But no one mentions resolutions again until next New Year's Day. Instead, use this tip to get your ball rolling.

Memory

When Holiday Memories Fall Short, Create a New Story

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on December 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The holidays often prompt feelings of inadequacy, trying to relive childhood traditions. But beware, memories often deceive.

A Personal Perspective: The holidays often prompt feelings of inadequacy, trying to relive childhood traditions. But beware, memories often deceive.

Motivation

Gain Momentum and Motivation With an Accountability Partner

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on December 17, 2023

Artists often struggle to complete projects. Creatives doubt their abilities and their worth, but a nonjudgmental accountability partner motivates the maker to stay on task.

Artists often struggle to complete projects. Creatives doubt their abilities and their worth, but a nonjudgmental accountability partner motivates the maker to stay on task.

Creativity

The Creativity Pill for Feeling Stuck

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on October 22, 2023

Creatives working in all art forms often suffer from a lack of motivation and focus. Physical activity improves mood.

Creatives working in all art forms often suffer from a lack of motivation and focus. Physical activity improves mood.

Creativity

To Copy? To Imitate? To Learn Through Mimetics

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on September 30, 2023

Students in any art form begin their journey by following instructions. By imitating the work of masters, the burgeoning artist imprints the craft, and then births their own new art.

Students in any art form begin their journey by following instructions. By imitating the work of masters, the burgeoning artist imprints the craft, and then births their own new art.

Creativity

How to Keep Going When Progress Slows to a Snail's Pace

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on August 5, 2023

The creative process rarely progresses from start to finish without a hiccup or two. When progress is shared with an accountability partner, more work gets done and even finished.

The creative process rarely progresses from start to finish without a hiccup or two. When progress is shared with an accountability partner, more work gets done and even finished.

Motivation

I Hate Writers! So Why Am I One?

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Personal Perspective: It's easy to despise a group if you feel unworthy, but negative feelings often mask jealousy. Learn to glean powerful habits by examining others' success.

Personal Perspective: It's easy to despise a group if you feel unworthy, but negative feelings often mask jealousy. Learn to glean powerful habits by examining others' success.

Bullying

How a Short Film Gave Me Courage to Stop a Fight

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Moviegoers and readers can train for real life by consuming quality work that provokes thought and action.

A Personal Perspective: Moviegoers and readers can train for real life by consuming quality work that provokes thought and action.

Creativity

Write Fast, Revise Slow

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

Everyone makes mistakes. It may be better to "do" first and fix errors later.

Everyone makes mistakes. It may be better to "do" first and fix errors later.

Perfectionism

Paralyzed by Perfectionism? Just Hit "Send."

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

Personal Perspective: Perfectionism keeps artists in a state of stagnation because they know there is room for improvement but they do not yet possess the skills.

Personal Perspective: Perfectionism keeps artists in a state of stagnation because they know there is room for improvement but they do not yet possess the skills.

Creativity

The Doppler Effect of Creative Ideas: They Come and Go

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on March 11, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Remember the last time you had a great idea? But then, the intensity waned. First, it's normal. Second, there's hope.

A Personal Perspective: Remember the last time you had a great idea? But then, the intensity waned. First, it's normal. Second, there's hope.

Artificial Intelligence

AI vs. DIY: The Case for Humans to Create

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on February 5, 2023

Are you concerned about artificial intelligence replacing human creators? AI may generate intriguing "art," but it cannot replace the sense of pride derived from doing the work.

Are you concerned about artificial intelligence replacing human creators? AI may generate intriguing "art," but it cannot replace the sense of pride derived from doing the work.