Feeling stuck?
Scared of the blank page?
Not sure where to even begin?
You sit down to create… and somehow end up watching 35 YouTube videos instead.
Scrolling. Saving posts. Looking at everyone else’s beautiful art pages (yes, even mine 😄)… and still not making a single mark.
It’s frustrating, right?
You start wondering if you’re just not creative enough. How everyone else seems to have ideas and you can’t even come up with one.
I get it. Truly. And please hear me when I say this — you are not uncreative, and you are definitely not stupid.
You’re just stuck at the starting line.
And honestly? Starting is the hardest part of anything. Sport, cooking, learning something new… art is no different. Once you’re warmed up, things usually flow. But that first step can feel awkward and heavy.
And this isn’t just a beginner thing either. I’ve been doing this for years and I still have days where I stare at a blank page thinking… nope, nothing’s happening today 😅
Most of the time, it’s not a lack of ideas — it’s being stuck in your head. Overthinking, comparing, judging yourself before you even begin. That’s what blocks the flow.
So instead of waiting to feel inspired, I just start small.
Messy marks. Random colour. Glue scraps. Five minutes of play. No pressure to make anything “good” — just getting my hands moving.
Because creativity isn’t something you think your way into… it’s something you move your way into.
So if you’ve only got 5 or 10 minutes, try this little warm-up with me. And if you want something easy to start with, I’ve got a stash of collage papers and printable bits you can use for quick, low-pressure play sessions — you can browse them here.
Sometimes the tiniest start is all it takes to open the tap again.
And honestly? I often make a little ritual of it. I’ll light a candle, put some music on, and make the space feel cosy and safe first. That gentle shift in atmosphere helps my whole body relax and creativity flows so much easier. If you love those quiet creative moments too, you can explore my Living Colour scents here.
Watch what I do, give it a go, and let me know if it helps.
Love to you, my creative friend,
Mimi
You do not need to know which paints or colours I used, just use what you have and what YOU like 😉
A really helpful tutorial – I just I love these backgrounds
So fun and easy to create, right Bernadette? I’d like to see what you create 😉
Hello,
Thanks for your video! I am great with the backgrounds, my problem is always where to go after I get the background laid. Any suggestions?
Hey Sandy, backgrounds with multiple layers can be a final spread already. Dont feel like you HAVE TO do something on top (some of my spreads are just abstract “backgrounds”). But if you want to keep going there are just so many things you can do! Watch my videos here for lots of inspiration: http://mimibondi.com/mixed-media-tutorials ?
Hi Mimi, thank you for doing this ‘How do I start’ video for us. I picked up something that I wasn’t aware of and that is between each layer of paint the page should be dried. This must allow the next layer to be put on without the colours sinking into each other and becoming a ‘splodge’ or ‘mud’. Is that right? It would explain why some of my efforts have not worked out well. Thanks again, Pauline
Absolutely Pauline! You need to dry each layer fully before adding another to make sure nothing accidentely mix. Also, depending on what you are using, you could add a layer of gel medium to ”seal” a layer before adding more on top (for example if you are using water soluble crayons and add to want another water soluble medium on top of it without disturbing the one below) 🙂