There comes a point in every artist's life where finding inspiration becomes a struggle. At the beginning, the possibilities seem endless and the world is filled with things to talk about. But over time, finding inspiration or a topic to work on can be quite daunting. It is an inevitable drop, as you progress through one art form, the work doesn't seem to be exciting any longer. Finding inspiration is not only about learning a new topic, it is about changing our perception of the world. What is important is to not make it an excuse to do nothing. As Chuck Close once said, "Inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work". This article will explore things we can do to ignite the fire again!
Stay Healthy
Eating good
food, exercising both the physically and mentally is very important for
everyone. If you feel you are not motivated to make art, focus on learning
another topic of interest. Sometimes, distractions help us find new ways to
look at things and get inspired!
Make time to
explore
Often we are so
engrossed in our work and doing the routine that we forget to explore other new
areas. Pause to find out what intrigues you about other creations, it can be
color, texture or the medium. Try to incorporate it in to your work and see the
outcome! You will not know until you try it!
Create a work
space which ignites positivity
Where ever it is
that you decide to paint, make sure it is an organized, relaxing space. The
environment around you has a great impact on the mood and creativity. So make
sure you take time to get things organized!
Keep a sketchbook!
If you feel
unmotivated or lack inspiration, go through your sketchbook. It will help you
see how far you have come. It is also a great way to stay consistent. It will
be interesting to redraw an old work with the new skills and techniques you
have learnt along the way.
Let's not strive
for perfection!
Perfection is
overrated. We learn through taking risks and that is what needs to be kept in
mind. None of us our perfect and that is what needs to be kept in mind. Being a
perfectionist will not lead you to create your best work.
Keep your art
supplies and tools easily accessible
If you are
inspired yet need to rummage through closets and move furniture to start
painting, it will take a lot of determination just to get started. When you are
already unmotivated, this may seem daunting. Keep your supplies in one location
and organized, it will help cut down the time working on non-creative tasks and
let you jump right in to working on art.
Take pictures of
the places and things which you admire
When you see something you like, you tend to feel inspired. In those moments, make sure to click a photo. It is always better to use your own rather than magazines or the internet. Who knows, years down the line, the very images will help you cook up some inspiration!
Finding an inspiration for art is a process and one which needs to be carefully thought through. Remember, inspiration is all around us, we just need to know where to look!.