Creative Block

[benlilly1]

Anyone here have trouble with their artwork /design creativeness? Well this is not writers block. It's leather work block. Usually I'll see something someone's done and there's a wow factor. With me it's been a struggle creating my own designs. I can't figure it out! My designs are NOT wowing me! I have a seat I'm doing for a motorcycle my husband is entering in an invite only judged show. I need that wow factor!!

What do you do when you have a leather work block??

[veedub3]

One of the many hats I wear is as a Graphic Designer and we all run into design blocks from time to time. When I run into this problem, I just simply step away from the project. I will work on leather, go to the museum, visit the Botanical Gardens, or even just drive around town taking pictures of old buildings and things that interest me. The key is to step away for a while and come back with fresh eyes. This website I am building for a client has been a PITA for the last month, and a few nights ago, it came to me while I slept. I hit the floor at 2:30 in the morning, went to my computer and put in the missing piece that tied the whole thing together. It was a simple element color change. I didn't know it at the time but it was in one of the pictures I captured.

I get inspiration from everything around me, and sometimes I will just go back and look at pictures I have taken, or flip through my old design books, but if I try to push through it, I found that I get nowhere. But if I walk away for a few days, focusing my brain on other issues, I have a better perspective when I come back to the project.

Good luck with it all and let us know how you progress.

Karina

[Jazznow]

Stepping away from the Project is what Works for me too. Spend some time with other hobbies, family and friends or do whatever you want. I for example can clear my mind by playing at the pc, reading a good book or go shoe shopping (my gf hates that, lol)

Jonathan

[Tree Reaper]

Have a look at what others have done and put your own spin on it.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=images+for+custom+motorcycle+seats&client=firefox-a&hs=UNC&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gWmsUrf6MOnlyQG6qIHABA&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=893&bih=491&dpr=0.9

[benlilly1]

I'm stepping away now... A Sheridan design is what we're going with and I'm not good at drawing from scratch. I've tried pasting sheridan designs together and they don't flow right. And I have to say I'm not that good at carving and stamping Sheridan so it's going to be a long process. I guess the main thing is knowing what to cut and what to model after I even come up with a design.

[petersenj20]

I envy all of you. I learned a long time ago that just I don't have design creativity. My abilities lie elsewhere.

But this is the reason I come to a site like this to see all the beautiful work ya"ll do.

What is the style of the bike? If no style per se, what kind of bike is it? Would love to see when done.

[benlilly1]

Peterson, Here's a few photos. 1978 Shovelhead motor. The motor you see is only for mock up. The frame and all metal parts were fabricated by my husband. Only a few parts that had to be bought were applied. Single sided swing arm was his own design. Parts are now at the painters. These are older photos. So most of everything is custom and the seat better have the WOW factor!!

[Northmount]

I'm stepping away now... A Sheridan design is what we're going with and I'm not good at drawing from scratch. I've tried pasting sheridan designs together and they don't flow right. And I have to say I'm not that good at carving and stamping Sheridan so it's going to be a long process. I guess the main thing is knowing what to cut and what to model after I even come up with a design.

Get Bob Park's book, Creating Western Floral Designs. It will help with how to do the layout and get the flow to work for you.

http://s486.photobucket.com/user/hidepounder/media/Active%20Links%20file/Flyer2.jpg.html

or search LW to find more info.

Tom

[petersenj20]

Gawd almighty. The wow factor indeed.

Single sided swingarm is a treat. A sprotor setup would be cool.

Stretched for a mile. I'm a huge sucker for a girder too.

I like the idea of Sheridan being a great contrast to the modern look. I don't know though.

I'm thinkin more like a classic pin-up girl or a spiral that overlaps like Celtic knot work.

Very cool bike. Let us know what you come up with.

[makitmama]

I usually switch mediums. If I can't figure out a quilt issue, I do leatherwork or jewelry. In a pinch, I color for a couple of days in my spare time, in a kids coloring book.