How does one stay open to the motivational fire that drives an artist to keep creating art, especially given all the obstacles life puts in our way?
Our only option is to engage all avenues open to our imagination, pausing to take a deep breath when we become deterred, then jumping back in to the oncoming situation head first.
How do you keep your creative energy alive and fresh? Share your comments below.
Abraham Lubelski 
if it doesn’t come from inside, you shouldn’t be doing it. there are no guaranteed rewards, the “getting there” is it.
Motivation is always a problem especially if you have few avenues to show your work. It’s belief in oneself that pushes you on and that in the long run makes your work more authentic.
Travelling to new places or seeing old places in a different frame of mind…
Also pushing creativity to other media such as polymer clays and beadweaving original jewellery – while I work on jewellery I am constantly bombarded with ideas for painting and vice versa – no more artists’ block!
Show up for work and the creativity takes care of itself. Sometimes it works better than others; sometimes the result is crap and ends up in the trash; and sometimes you amaze yourself. You can’t control that, but you can always show up for work and do your job.
Life is complex, and the life of a living working artist is very complicated. In order to maintain the ability to work as an artist, each artist must, on a daily basis juggle responsibility with the flow of creative impulse and expression. Each artist is challenged, and it is only through creativity, and actively engaging the many varied requirements for life that art can remains a viable component in the life of the artist.
History tells us about many artists who overcome great difficulties in order to continue the work and life of art, and also about the many artists whose lives seems almost magical in that collectors, etc., seem to flock to their doorsteps.
In all, what is important is that art remains alive, and continues to be a living element in the global human society. It is through art, and artistic expression that we all share in this great tradition.
The inspiration comes, not in planning your journey, but when you are on that journey of discovery.
I like to improvise with collage. I select images from a folder, and let the creative flow going.
Only those who, with all his heart, with all his intellect
works with all of his skill and strong will, can
break through the undergrowth of the art world. (Margaretha Gubernale)
I know what you’re talking about, but motivation has never been a problem for me. When someone has the crass indiscretion to ask “Do you make living with it?”, I tell them that if I didn’t do it I’d be dead, so I consider that I make my living with it.
I’ve found that the less goal oriented you are, the better the creative flow. If you can let go of wanting anything for yourself, and just give, the visions materialize without effort.
hi Abraham, greetings from Aotearoa, New Zealand. my comment to your question is as follows. understanding I am a work in progress always moving forward. Living in the moment and enjoying the process. Can be a struggle at times but hey, what the hell…ha…ha. To live one’s life is for me always a learning process. Thanks for asking. Kia Ora.
I think I follow your “keep all avenues open” approach. However, I’m pretty lucky in that I have several creative careers, as a photographer, as a guitarist and as a rabbi/teacher. I never seem able to keep all three balls in the air at the same time, and there are many times that only one is active, but between them the energy circulating in my mind/heart/soul can usually find a way out.
Perhaps it’s a matter of assuming that everything I do will be “creative”, so I try to find it in whatever I’m doing. I don’t think that I have any special potential to be more creative than anyone else. The difference is that I have yet to allow the practical struggles make me forget the nature of personal energy, the Neshama/soul.
Force yourself to make art, like tacking medicine when you’re sick.
I live by the words of Pablo Picasso. “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”.