How to Create Great Art from the Aliveness Found Within

Making vibrant, authentic art doesn’t come from working harder, trying more techniques, or studying other artists. It comes from learning to feel more alive. When I struggled as a young artist in my mid-twenties, working obsessively in isolation brought only misery and mediocre results. Everything changed when I gave up, bought a plane ticket with no return date, and spent months traveling with my girlfriend. By letting go of trying to make art and instead curating each day around what made me feel alive, I discovered my internal compass. This practice of noticing what brings you alive, paying attention to what feels good, and doing more of that transforms both your art and your life. Your intuition is your North Star, and developing discernment about what lights you up is everything you need to create authentic, powerful work.

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In my mid-twenties, I was alone in a small studio, working obsessively to become the artist I’d always believed I was meant to be. I’d gone to school for art. I was serious about this. Every single day, I showed up and worked hard, sending my work out into the world. But I wasn’t happy. And the work showed it.

 

The Struggle Nobody Talks About

I tried everything. Different art materials. New techniques. I went to gallery shows constantly, studying other artists’ work. I was committed. This was going to be my life.

Occasionally, I’d create something good. But most of the time, I struggled. The response from galleries and collectors was hit and miss, mirroring my own uncertainty.

I had no idea how to make this work. I had no plan B because I’d always been going to be an artist. That’s what I wanted. But I couldn’t make it happen.

The isolation was rough. The constant effort with inconsistent results was defeating.

In the end, I gave up.

 

 

The Trip That Changed Everything

My girlfriend and I had $14,000 saved. We bought around-the-world plane tickets with no return date. I put my studio on hold.

I just needed to get out of there.

What happened on that trip taught me the most important lesson about making art I’ve ever learned. Aliveness is found within. Vibrant, authentic art follows aliveness.

Here’s why this matters so much. Everything you desire as an artist, the amazing work, the career, the sales, all of it exists on the other side of learning how to feel more alive.

 

Finding Your Way by Following What Feels Good

When you’re traveling with no fixed plans and limited money, you make constant choices. Do you want to go do this today? Or do you want to go do that?

We were in Indonesia. We were in India. We visited extraordinary places.

But the revelation wasn’t about the destinations. It was about the practice of curating each day around one simple question. What would make me feel alive?

Maybe today that meant an adventure. Maybe tomorrow it meant a rest day. Maybe it meant staying in and making art in my sketchbook.

With all the usual distractions gone, I started paying attention. Really paying attention to what felt good. And then doing those things.

Noticing what you notice. That became everything.

 

The Calendar That Captured Aliveness

I started drawing calendars, making little thumbnail sketches of each day. What we did. Where we went.

We were in Ubud, this village in Bali. Then we visited a bat cave.

Years later, I can look at those calendar pages and feel that month. It was extraordinary.

Not because of what we saw, but because of how alive I felt making choices based on my internal compass rather than external pressure.

 

How This Translates to Your Art Practice

This week in the Creative Awakening Challenge, we’re diving deep into this Essential Truth #2: Aliveness is Found Within . You’re doing your 20-minute practice every day. That’s the foundation.

But now I want you to start noticing what you notice.

When you’re playing around in your sketchbook or on your canvas, what do you love? Is it certain colors? Specific marks? The way it feels to be completely out of control?

Pay attention. And when you feel it, when you make a mark and think “oh, that felt so good,” do more of that. Lean into it.

 

The Power of Discernment

Discernment is everything. It’s everything you need to understand about yourself.

And here’s the beautiful part. You get better at it over time. It’s a muscle. You improve at choosing.

When you get better at choosing, you’re choosing what you love. Not what looks good on Instagram. Not what resembles someone else’s art. Your internal North Star.

This is what we’re developing in this practice. And it comes from playing and experimenting. You don’t have to figure it out intellectually. You can feel it.

Get in the practice of feeling what comes up for you.

 

Making It Practical This Week

Look back a few pages in your sketchbook. Notice what you were doing earlier in the week that you liked. Do more of that.

If something happens when you use a particular color or make a certain mark, if you feel a certain way when you’re being really out of control and that feels good, do more of it.

If gluing things in feels fantastic, do that.

You don’t need a roadmap. You are the roadmap. Your soul, the voice of your intuition, will let you know.

Be on the lookout for those signals today and every day this week.

 

Why Your Work Looks Different from Everyone Else’s

When you make art from yourself, from this internal place of aliveness, you’re tapping into your individuality. You’re accessing your authenticity.

Everyone on this planet is utterly unique. That’s why when we make art from our inner place, it creates personal, authentic work.

And that’s what creates truly compelling art. Not technique alone. Not copying what works for others. But mining what’s unique to you.

 

Your Turn

What brings you alive? Not just in your art, but in your life?

Start paying attention today. Notice what you notice. When something feels good, do more of it.

This is the practice. This is how you develop your internal compass. This is how you create work that could only come from you.

Share in the comments below. What have you noticed this week that brought you alive?

Nicholas