Creativity and inspiration, while forever bedfellows, aren’t always on speaking terms. For some fine artists, the colorful, happy world of exhibiting and celebrating their work has a shadow side, where time and motivation seem to slow, and ideas don’t readily flow.

Writers call it writer’s block. Artists might call it February.

On and around Long Beach Island, the artist community comes together in summertime for shows and festivals, mingling at gallery parties and congratulating each other on…