Talking Artist Block with Louise Maher

Apr 12, 20246 min read

Louise Maher is a 30-year-old creative from County Tipperary, Ireland, now living in Edinburgh. She studied Printmaking and Contemporary Practice at the Limerick School of Art. Her work was mostly digital photography, screen printing and collage work. She loves colourful vintage fashion, coffee, travelling and music.

Now, Louise primarily photographs with 35mm colour film, she views her photography as a visual diary and intimate exploration of her everyday environment. They are a vibrant collection of moments, people and places.

Portrait of Louise - the focus of this feature

Louise Maher

What made you move from Ireland to Edinburgh?

I left Ireland in 2018 to travel South America for a couple of months. This experience made me realise that I love to explore, meet new people and experience new things. When I came back to Ireland I was taking some time trying to decide what my next steps would be, I went to visit my sister in Edinburgh for 1 week, and that was it. I knew the minute I arrived that this city had something special. It was exciting, creative, had a good art community - A hub of creativity.

What was your experience studying an art degree?

I loved studying at Limerick School of Art & Design. It was one of the first times I felt I could truly be myself, be creative, wear my colourful vintage style clothes and not feel like I was the odd one out. One of the best experiences you gain from going to art college is meeting people with similar interests, being supported and lifted up by the community you are now a part of. I made friends for life. You gain a breadth of experience and skills from your tutors, visiting lectures and fellow students. I learned so much about different art styles, themes and really challenged myself to create work that inspired me.

"It was one of the first times I felt I could truly be myself"

Overcoming artist block

You mentioned that moving to Edinburgh was a turning point for you creatively, what about the move/city changed your journey most?

After I graduated from art college I had some amazing opportunities lined up which included working in an artist-run gallery in Galway as a curatorial assistant and doing a residency programme with the Limerick Printmakers. After these finished, I felt I was stuck in a rut creatively. I didn't feel inspired and my sole focus became my job in a restaurant and all creativity was pushed to the sidelines. When I decided to take the steps to travel and move to Edinburgh, I felt like I was starting afresh. This new exciting city sparked my creativity and I was inspired to start creating again, immersing myself in the creative community here and trying new things.

What influences your photography most?

As mostly a documentary style photographer, I'm inspired by the world around me. I know this might seem like a pretty vague and general answer, but think about it: every day, there are countless scenes and moments that could make exceptional photos. By taking the time to really look at your surroundings and see things differently, you can capture something amazing. I also enjoy capturing bold/vibrant colours, that is what always draws my eye and inspires what I capture.

"...there are countless scenes and moments that could make exceptional photos"

When did you first experience artist block?

After graduating, I convinced myself that I didn't want to create my own work; instead, I wanted to work in a creative space surrounded by artists, but not be one of the creators myself. I convinced myself that my art wasn't good enough that I stopped making it altogether. This mindset severely impacted my time during my residency at the Printmakers, where I found it difficult to find any inspiration to enter the studio. Reflecting on those months brings back the anxiety and the immense pressure I put on myself. Despite these challenges, I ended up putting together a successful exhibition, although I had feared for months that I wouldn't have anything to display.

Have you ever felt you wouldn’t return to your creative passions?

Yes, absolutely. After the experience I mentioned above, once that exhibition was over, I didn’t create any of my own personal work for a couple of years. Even though I would surround myself with other creatives, I would have considered myself a ‘Shadow Artist’. This is what Julia Cameron (author of the Artist’s Way) describes as someone who is drawn to experience art vicariously through the talents of others.

You mentioned being affected by blocks ongoing for years, how did you break the cycle?

In early 2020, I was working with a life coach and working with him made me realise I was standing in my own way. I was in a cycle of attempting to create work that I thought I ‘should’ be creating but it didn't bring me any joy so I would give up all over again. I decided to buy a 35mm Minolta X300 camera on Ebay for £80 and when it arrived, I went out for the day and shot my first roll of colour film. When I got the scans back I was so excited. I didn't care that I made mistakes or what anyone else thought of them, I couldn't wait to go out and shoot again. That is when I knew I broke the cycle of my artist block and I found a new creative outlet that I truly loved and what made it even better, I could carry it with me every day.

For creative people especially, I know a lot of us suffer from imposter syndrome. Have you found a way to push past negative self talk?

When I feel the negative talk come up I try to use as many positive affirmations and self-compassionate statements as I can. When I am being self-critical I often ask myself the question ‘is that a fact/is that true?’ - this reminds me that the negative statements I make about myself and my art are not facts.

How do you find enough time for photography whilst working a non-creative full-time job?

Balancing both isn’t always simple, but I’m fortunate to have my weekends free. This time allows me to work on new photography projects, explore new places with my camera and set up stalls at markets. Having a creative outlet is really important to me and since photography brings me so much joy, it never feels like a chore or just another task to complete.

"...since photography brings me so much joy, it never feels like a chore"

How important is the creative community to you?

Extremely. The creative community I experienced in art college showed me the incredible benefits it offers. I’m fortunate to have found a similar sense of community in Edinburgh within the photography circle. I've met numerous talented photographers who inspire me and I've had the opportunity to exhibit alongside them. I've felt warmly welcomed, this has led to many fun and exciting opportunities.

What is your method for prioritising creativity when times are busy?

Eliminating unnecessary distractions, blocking out time, managing my energy i.e. ensuring I leave some energy for my creativity and not giving all my energy to a task that doesn’t fulfil me.

As a film photographer, what is your favourite film to shoot with and why?

Kodak Ultramax 400 - better for lower light conditions, so it's ideal for shooting in Scotland! It is known for its vibrant colours which is what I seek to capture in my images and it's budget friendly.

What advice would you give to someone trying to get their creative spark back?

Identify sources of stress or distraction that may hold back your creativity and look to eliminate them when you are creating
Try new art forms, experiment and be playful
Embrace imperfections and have fun without any expectations of yourself or the end result
Collaborate with others
Journal and brainstorm ideas/ prompts
Be honest with yourself about what you like and dislike - this will save you a lot of time

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learnt about yourself whilst overcoming artist blocks?

I’ve learned that my creativity thrives on playfulness and enjoyment. If I'm not having fun or engaging with my work playfully, I quickly lose interest and encounter blocks.