I was talking with a friend of mine yesterday and the discussion inevitably led to the topic of art, and what motivates us to create. The answer, we realized, is beautifully simple.
Watch the video and let me know what you think – what inspires you in your work?
In gratitude, Nicholas
PS I’m starting a free online workshop soon and I would love to have you participate. To register, just go to www.artlifejoy.com
72 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
What you say is right on Nick…..we are, all of us, just trying to find some happiness…..such a simple yet complex idea! I just want to thank you for all these great little insights into your thoughts and ideas about art making, and to wish you and your family a very merry christmas and happy new year. cheers, Linda
Thank you Wrinda. Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas Nick. I hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas.
Merry Christmas Christine..thanks
Thank you Nick for being so giving and sharing your insights with us. You have been so helpful to me and, I am sure, others as well. My mentor. Wishing you a happy holiday and all the best in 2018.
Brenda- thank you for being here! Happy Holidays!
Yes! I see it as keep going toward the light which gets brighter and brighter.
Beautiful… I often describe finding your way as a lighthouse metaphor —same..thanks
Thanks Nick for all the wisdom and experience you’ve shared this year! This elusive and exciting journey to become my best most authentic self has me looking at what keeps me getting up in the middle of the night with the drive to paint! Happiness is the best explanation. I appreciate all you do.
Great way to put it…Happy Holidays Terry!
Your talk and presence (through the camera) makes me happy already, Nickolas. You inspired me so much to look more closely what makes me HAPPY through my painting versus struggling along with the critical voice in the back of my head. Thank you for your inspiration, your generosity and your openness to show yourself through your work. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Barbara, thank you– it feels great to connect with other artists like you. Happy Holidays!
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Truly your video visits are a welcome interlude in what is often a chore, reading email.
I am a self taught artist just finding my way…and you are inspirational. Thanks.
Rosemary, congratulations for finding your way–super inspiring to see artists self teaching themselves…There is a lot of content I give out that can speed you along. Welcome..and Happy New year!
You have given me a gift every Sunday for the past year and I look forward to each insight you share with us. Your message today is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from you from you via your Vlog and from CVP. As the year closes, I can look at my art and say that I am happy when I see it – it lifts my spirits. Being true to myself and to making art that makes me happy is my guiding light. I wish you a very happy holiday Nick and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us in 2018!
Colleen- what a kind thing to say—thank you …well I DO have some cool things in 2018 in store..super enjoyed watching your work take off…it will continue to do so now…looking forward to seeing it!
Wishing you and your family very happy holidays as well. Looking forward to journeying on next year with you
Thanks Margot! to 2018!
I know what makes me UNHAPPY: I’m 7 hrs. from my studio for more than a week and my new studio here isn’t set up yet. Stay warm and happy!
Hey David– at least you know! ha…sounds like this will change soon..
Thank you for the Sunday Video blog. Yes it helps me feel like i have compatible company on my daily journey. Wishing you the very best for the holidays and a successful and healthy new year.
Barry
HB – well let’s do this in 2018! Cheers…
Thanks, Nicholas! This is exactly what I needed to hear right now! Planning on making some changes in my art that make ME happy in 2018. Wishing you a wonderful Holiday!
Happy Holidays Brenda!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! LOVE the Sunday visits and look forward to the next 52 in 2018. Thank you for your generosity!
Susan- me too! see you in 2018
That is a wonderful bit of advice … kinda seek your bliss in your painting. Thank you. You are a wonderfully generous soul.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. And here’s hoping 2018 will be a kinder, gentler year in our nation. Happy painting to you and to everyone. 🙂
Here is to that! Yes…
Hi Nicholas – thank you for the wonderful gifts you have given us all year long! So many useful and inspiring thoughts you’ve shared – looking forward to the coming year!! Merry Christmas to you and your family, stay warm and cosy!!
Thank you Nicholas! I am self-taught, and am digging into new learning right now. Your blog is so generous and substantial. I forward it often. With much gratitude…
I’m grateful or you and your sharing with us Nicholas Wilton. This video is so right on, no Art Speak, no ribbons needed. I paint because it feels good and once in awhile I make a piece of work that brings me complete joy, and that’s enough.
Wishing you a happy holiday season and may 2018 be your best year yet in all areas of your life.
Thank you Nick! Can’t wait to double-down on this stuff in 2018. It’s goi g to be amazing! Happy Holidays to you!
I love how you put into words, what I usually refer to “healing” by doing art. But it is even broader than that- I love how it makes me so happy too!!!
Holiday wishes of goodness to you:) https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1dddcb132d34639c4e8ac07653acb08880723b75e041b69abb5b90294cc798db.jpg
Can I order some of these pajamas? Love em..
My kids used to wear matching pjs like this. Melts my heart.
Hi Nick! Can’t wait to double-down on this in 2018. I’m grateful for all you the encouragement you send out. Happiest of Holidays to you, my friend!
Double down—here we go!!!
Thanks Nick, and Merry Christmas to you and all the other art to lifers… I SO appreciate your discussions about things in art that ARE hard to language.
Thanks Lisa!
Thank you Nicholas ! Have a wonderFull 2018!
Thanks Nick–I needed this. I’ve been anxious about getting enough work done (in a fairly short time) for a couple of upcoming exhibits– you have reminded me of the joy of painting, which is a much better feeling than stress!! Happy holidays!!
Happy Holidays and thank you! for all you bring to all of us with your inspiring teaching!
Nicholas
I’m not sure how you do it – but you knock down the tech barrier and enter into my mind and heart every Sunday. And you make a difference in my life and how I view my art.
Wishing you the best over the holidays… and thank you!
Warmly,
Vicki P
I just want to do what I want to do and not worry if any one likes it!! If I like it and had fun doing it that’s enough. It is the main reason I am very reluctant to do a commission these days. Then you are creating art to please someone else besides yourself! Thankfully other people like some of the stuff I do and that is a nice benefit. LOL
That’s really IT, in painting as in all the rest. Painters are lucky because they already have some idea of how to get there. Many thanks for your simple yet deep messages. A very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!
Hey Barry..happy New year too!!!
Wishing you a magical year ahead
Merry Christmas to you and yours Nick. Your insights have helped me immensely as I get back into painting after being away from it for 40 years. Even though I have continued being creative through other mediums, painting has always remained near and dear to me.
Yes, painting makes me happy, even when it is sometimes frustrating. I remember being especially frustrated during my mentorship class with you, Nick! Thas was five years ago already?
Today one of my large (4’x 4’) paintings sold through the gallery in Palo Alto. That gave me a big boost in artist-self-confidence: that someone loves my art so much, she/he pays $ 1,900 for it. It is an awesome feeling. Probably because it does not happen YET on a regular basis. But the biggest drive is my persuit in happiness by creating art that is beautiful and touches other people’s hearts and nourishes their souls .
I am very grateful to be part of art2life academy, a wonderful community providing endless support and resources.
Merry Christmas, Nick and a fabulous new year for you!
Magdalena! Really 5 years?! Congrats on the sale–more of this is coming..your work is getting so strong…
Thank you for yet another message, Nick. Happy Happy Holidays to you and all your loved ones.
Love your inspirational messages. Merry Christmas and look forward to listening to more of them in the new year
Merry Christmas, Nick. I enjoy your posts–thanks for what you do.
Love the painting and Happy holidays!
@jef@jeffkahn:disqus Happy Holidays!
Thanks for all the information you have shared, it has helped me find answers to problems I face as I travel my artistic journey. If I can figure out what i want say in my work or what holds me back specifically, I will be golden. I look forward to the information to come. Thank you Nicholas.`i am making progress.
@dwa@dwayne_hash:disqus That is great…looking forward to seeing it this year!
Agreed! I know I’m “finished” with a painting when it literally makes me happy just to look at it…sometimes I think a painting is done and I’ll leave it alone for a while. Often, however it’s just ok. The best is when I take the risk to go back to it and start working on a painting that was ok…and it becomes really great! Happy Holidays and thank you for the gift of Art2Life
Thank you @kathl@kathleenkvern:disqus
Thanks for reminding me that the art I make is to make myself happy. Simple but yet the most important reason to create! Happy holidays to you and your family. I look forward to watching your videos in the coming year.
wonderful….
So grateful for your videos every Sunday! Always inspiring and touching, love this one! Happy holidays to you, from warm South Africa
Snowanne! Thanks so much
Sharing your wisdom is a blessing to me and many others, may those blessings come back to you and yours this holiday season and through out the New Year!
A very loud ‘Yes’, Nicholas. Doing your workshop in 2016 in the midst of a very deep depression led me to the understanding that my art brings me to living in the present moment, and when I am in the present I am not dwelling on things I can’t change, or things I would do differently or hoping that my future will be different. I find a kind of freedom and space to just be and breath. Big learning for me to continue to focus on through my art practice. Thank you for helping me come to this space Nicholas. May you be a blessing to all you encounter.
Hope your Christmas was overflowing with joy and love and may the New Year be full of blessings for you and your family – thanks for your insights and videos.
Thank you for all of the great inspiration. Have a blessed holiday!
Nicholas,
Thank you for your generous sharing of insights, and encouragement.
Your ability to articulate the complexity, challenge, and rewards of creating is great company, as I venture down this path.
Looking forward to a great new year.
Thanks,
Kim
Happy Holidays Nick, I loved this message of making yourself happy~ Thanks for a great year of sharing and creating with a new perspective about my art path!
This video it is such nice way to end this year and begin the next! See you in 2018
Watching your videos is like connecting with a friend (even though I’ve never met you in person) and hearing what you have to say stretches the way I think about my art making. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Thanks for this Nicholas. You are so right on this topic. I have finally gotten to this point in my career. I want to make good art that makes me happy and will stand up to what I know to be good art. Love your bogs. They confirm that making art is worth all the hard work. Most grateful!