How to Get Motivated to Create
Something I hear a lot from artists of all levels is that they struggle to find the motivation to create art. This is especially tough for beginner artists who sometimes feel like they don’t have any idea where to even start. And I get it! Creativity can feel overwhelming at times. Over the years I’ve gone on my own journey with finding motivation, and today I want to share my top tips for getting motivated with you.
Take Action
I know this one can sound a little overly simplistic, but there is magic to be found when you just get started. I love this quote by Chuck Close who says that inspiration is for amateurs and that the best way to get motivated to create is to create!
Oftentimes, artists are afraid that whatever they set out to create won’t be perfect and it stops them from creating at all. It’s important to push past that fear and know that if you don’t create a masterpiece the first time that’s ok! If you make something – even if it’s not your best work – you’ve done WAY more than you would have if you let the fear get the better of you.
And once you’ve built up your momentum by taking action, you’ll be motivated to create more work. Motivation breeds motivation. All it takes is that first step to get started.
Discover Your Dream
I thought about titling this section “Find Your Why” but I think that that phrase is used so often these days that it kind of loses its meaning.
What I mean by discovering your dream is to look for motivation by nailing down the life you want to live. For example, long before art was my full-time job I had a dream of creating art every day in a beautiful studio and getting paid for it. At the time I was working a 9-5 job and living in a tiny, dark studio apartment. But I let my dream fuel me to take action. I may have only had a flea market coffee table as my “art studio” at the time, but the art I made there led me to realize my dream of becoming a professional illustrator and creating art every day in my dreamy home studio.
Focus on your dream life and let it inspire you to take action towards it – even if it feels far away.
Be Inspired By Others
Social media can cause us to fall into the comparison trap, but I want to encourage you to flip the script! Instead of feeling jealous or defeated when you look at those you admire on social media, use them as models for what your life can look like! I call them “expanders” because they show us what’s possible. If it’s possible for them, it’s possible for you!
Create an Art Trap
An Art Trap is what I call any place where you can permanently set up your supplies. It could be a corner of your dining room table, a card table in your living room, a coffee table with your iPad plugged in, or a dedicated desk space. The goal is to create a place where your art supplies are ready for you so you can remove the barrier of having to set things up. Just removing that extra barrier to entry can help you get more motivated to create art! Here’s what my current art trap looks like. Chickens are occasionally included. 😁
Plus, this art trap is YOUR space. Use it to romanticize your art-making process and enjoy every moment of it! This will get you excited about coming back to your art trap time and time again!
Lean Into the Things That Excite You
An easy way to get motivated is to follow the things that light you up. For me, that’s books, traveling, films & TV, baking, gardening, and spending time with my loved ones.
Maybe you’re reading a really good book series right now – use that to inspire some of your art! Maybe you watched an episode of The Great British Bake Off where they made Swedish Princess cakes and you can’t stop thinking about how cute they were. Try your hand at painting one in your sketchbook! No matter what it is, look for the things that bring a smile to your face, and let them inspire you to create!
I know that motivation can feel elusive, but I promise that when you start taking tiny steps toward your goals, the motivation will follow!
Want more art tips and inspiration? Check out my YouTube channel where I share weekly videos of cozy paint-with-me’s, art tips, and Q&As for artists!
