Experiencing Joy Through Art

   Nice to see you again! When we hear creative people talk about their art, whether it’s painting, music, writing, etc., we sometimes hear the words “I can’t work until I’m inspired.” or “I’m waiting for inspiration.”. This notion is also reinforced by the often irritating way that artists are portrayed in movies and TV shows. 

   While inspiration is a very real and wonderful thing that sometimes can strike like lightning, waiting for inspiration can cause a lot of problems for an artist. The main problem with waiting is that your work will become sporadic and rare. In order to become better, an artist must produce. In order to have a successful relationship with a gallery an artist must produce. If your work is selling and you have a demand to meet, you must produce. Waiting for inspiration can be the death knell of production.

Artists Sketching in the White Mountains • Winslow Homer • 1868

  When I was younger I did the waiting thing. We grow up in a culture (at least in the USA) where artists are often thought of as tortured, desperate souls who must work when inspiration strikes or go crazy—to the exclusion of all else. Except for the part about needing to work, nothing could be further from the truth. We are ordinary people leading ordinary lives who have families, pay our bills on time, keep the house clean and the dishes washed, exercise in the morning before work and walk the dog. We simply happen to have had the calling to choose art as our career, usually due to an inherent passion for creating.

   But this myth persists and therefore I think young artists think they need to be “inspired” to work. I have learned as I’ve matured that just with any other career, being an artist requires discipline as well as inspiration. Yes, inspiration can often play a role, but to wait for it is not a good idea. I make a point to get into my studio every day and paint if I am able. Even on days when I really don’t feel like painting. I don’t always win that battle, but I would say I do probably 85% of the time. 

   So that is my advice to you. Get into that studio and paint…every day that you have time, even if just for an hour. Even if you don't feel like it. I often find that once I begin, then the flow starts and inspiration follows anyway. That is what makes us artists. That is being called to a passion…not doing it only when it’s fun or feels good, but being willing to work at it even when it doesn’t.