Being an artist is certainly an interesting and exciting job. But making art usually means having days, weeks or even months when you feel uncreative or uninspired. And while periods of lack of artistic inspiration are common stages for every artist, these phases can leave some creators to think that they will never be able to create anything good in their lives, ever again.
In this case, you might need an extra boost to keep the creative flow to push those critical thoughts out of your head and just let go of any results. To help kick start your creativity and get over the temporary impasse, here are some things you can do to stay motivated for your art projects.
Go To Your Art Station
Sure, there are days when you really don't feel like it and want to take a day off, curl up with a good book and eat a whole pint of ice cream on the couch. However, if all you do is wait for the perfect moment to arise, then you would have wasted that crucial energy that you could have invested in creating a project.
The key to staying inspired and motivated as an artist is to show up at your studio every day and get the work done anyways, even when you don't feel the inspiration coming. Start organising your materials and tools, look at your sketchbook or read art magazines and art books - this is usually enough to stimulate your creativity.
Revisit Your Favourite Artists
Different artists, who you admire probably inspired you to become an artist yourself, so why not reconnect with your favourite artists to help boost your creativity? Set some time to check out portfolios of various creative artists or revisit films of your favourite directors and think about what aspects of their work inspire you. Also, you can watch and read their interviews or "making of" documentaries and look out for anything they can teach you about their inspirations, motivations and creative process.
When you start to work on a new project, you are probably optimistic and open to new ideas, so take advantage of this state of mind and let other artists help you motivate! There might be some aspect of their work that can help you get into the creative zone or process that you can apply directly to your new project. In addition, it is always great to be reminded that other artists also have issues and low points, just like most of us.
Get Outside
A change of scenery and spending some time in the fresh air can also help you mentally recharge. If creative ideas just don't flow, don't force yourself to stare at a blank canvas for hours! This can only make you feel anxious, which is not exactly inspiring. Instead, consider leaving your working area and taking a brisk walk around your neighbourhood or local park, even for a few minutes.
Also, try to make it a kind of meditation by enjoying sounds and movement around you or focusing on small things like cracks in sidewalks and blades of grass. When you get back to your sketches, you are more likely to come up with some fresh ideas that will ignite and manifest in your drawing or writing.
Set Aside Time For Doodling
At times when you are stuck or out of inspiration for your future creations, playing around with your materials without any constraints or pressures can be an effective icebreaker.
You don't need to create anything particular or learn anything from your doodling. Grab your favourite art materials, explore any ideas that come to you and see what comes out when you do not limit yourself. Feel free to experiment with new textures, try out abstract designs and play around with shapes, sizes and colours that you don't normally tackle.
Consider Adding CBD Products Into Your Daily Routine
No matter if you choose to sip soothing CBD tea, chew some delicious CBD gummies, use a relaxing CBD bath bomb or inhale
CBD vape juice with a vape pen, this supplement is a beneficial addition to your day-to-day regimen. CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is an active compound that is believed to interact with various receptors found all over your body as part of the complex endocannabinoid system.
By aiding in the regulation of crucial bodily functions, intake of CBD oil can be beneficial in decreasing stress and anxiety levels, alleviating aches and pains and promoting restful sleep. Relief from your mental and physical ailments and better overall wellbeing means you tend to be calm and more concentrated, allowing you to stay fully engaged in your work process.
Learn A New Skill Or Technique
Doing the same exact thing every day will give you the same results. So, if you want to create something extraordinary, mind-blowing or dazzling, then maybe it is time to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the discomfort.
While practice can be easier to sustain when you have already established a direction, sometimes it can be helpful to approach an idea from an alternative perspective, perhaps using mediums, techniques or tools that you are unfamiliar with or want to improve.
Look for free or inexpensive online courses, purchase a new craft book, take a virtual tour of the art gallery or attend a film festival - learning new things or simply taking inspiration from other sectors in your industry can help to get your creative juices flowing, which in turn could benefit your art. Not to mention that being around like-minded people is a perfect way to get motivated.
Acknowledge How Far You Have Come
Reviewing your own body of work can be an ideal tool for finding motivation. Make sure to take some time to review your designs or projects from a few years ago and see how much you have accomplished and how you have really improved your craft over time. Seeing all improvements in your art and your creativity can be very inspiring and can even spark you to start a fresh project!
