The more you do, the more you do and conversely the less you do, the less you do. This is how I experience my art making. When I am making a lot of art- possibly for an upcoming show then oddly I am able to do even more. I might be busy, I might be painting almost every day but because of this reason, the fact that I am so in it, I am so involved in my art daily, I can do even more.
So when I have been absent, as I have been for the past month, (I am writing this on a train that is crossing Switzerland) and I have not been making art, then I hardly am able to do a sketch in my sketchbook. It is almost like I don’t even make art. The less you do tends to prompt even less.
Which is ok, of course. But what I find interesting is how we find our way back to our art. I notice for me it is initiated by some random inspiration, such as stumbling across someone else’s art that moves me towards wanting to experience making my own art again. Sometimes it takes such a small prompt. I was just in Provencia, a small town on the Island of Mallorca. The patina walls of this small town were what got me taking pictures, composing potential compositions for my next paintings.
I never know what it is going to take. And that is half the fun. It is almost like the universe will never wait too long to steer you back to your art.
In the Creative Visionary Path online program, one of the participants told me that she had signed up for the program for this very reason. She was hoping it would help her get back to her art. But it didn’t work. After working for several weeks she still didn’t feel inspired. She pushed on and even ordered some art supplies from Amazon.com that I recommended for the program. (And yes, buying brand new art materials is one of the most common ways to jump-start yourself back to your art.) But this didn’t work either.
She was, however, tired of paying all the expensive delivery charges so before she put through this order of art materials to Amazon, she signed up for “Amazon Prime”. This is an additional annual fee paid to Amazon which allows you to get most things ordered, delivered for free. It is totally worthwhile if you order frequently from Amazon. Which obviously is the intent on their part.
Part of what you get besides free delivery, is access to a selection of videos, movies and shows that you can watch for free. Which she did.
She became engrossed in one particular show, a series actually, that was set in law offices, which coincidentally had tons of art on the office walls. In every episode of the show, there was a constant stream of new art on the walls. By looking at this art in this series, she inadvertently began to understand many of the Art2life principles that were being talked about in the Creative Visionary Path Program. Something clicked. Looking at this art on the set of a television series, was in the end what re ignited her passion to start making her own again. This is such a perfect example of how circuitous a path can be in returning ourselves to our art. You never know.
It is somewhat comforting, I think, that if we stray too far from what our creative soul desires, somewhere, somehow, someone will surely just give us a little nudge in the right direction, back to our art.
How do you find your way back to your art?
23 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.
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Thanks for sharing this Nick. I am currently in your Creative Visionary Path workshop and though a few weeks behind, it feeds my hunger to be a better artist and teacher. I totally agree that the more you do the more you can do and see with new vision. It’s like a hemorrhage that can’t stop. At the moment the blood it barely flowing but I know that it will. I’ve accepted over the 40 years of art making that this is part of my process and it is O.K. Thank you for all you are doing.
Your statement “somewhere, somehow, someone will surely just give us a little nudge in the right direction, back to our art.” really spoke to me. Yes, I’ve experienced many instances of serendipitous prompts. I also leave my supplies out in clear view in my little back room, where I usually paint, and also some little projects in the dining room and living room (that can be quickly put away if I expect a “formal visit”, but most times, it’s just my friends, so it doesn’t matter if there is stuff laying around!). These “smaller projects”,(I.e. art journal page, or a canvas that needs to be gessoed, etc) are easy to pick up and do on a whim, during those times when I feel too overwhelmed to work on a larger painting. But, if I say to myself: “I’ll just work on this little project for 5 minutes”, then that usually triggers my motivation to tackle a larger piece afterwards.
and I forgot another method that gets me back on track, and that is watching video tutorials or listening to podcast interviews with artists – all kinds and not necessarily projects or styles that I normally work in. This always works as a “refresh” button for me!
Wow, this post really helped me once again to understand MY world of art making.
I am in the CVP17 Course and loving the motivation it has given me to just get in the studio and paint. I have been a bit stuck from time to time, but the other day while walking the beach after a storm, I began to find shards of shells with wonderful textures and colors…and new idea emerged and I sat down to write a few notes so I wouldn’t forget the inspirational moment. Now here in the studio, I’m developing this idea and I feel so filled up with gratitude. Thanks Again.
TOTALLY Nick! What a great story. No matter what I have done in my life to make money (to live on), art has always been with me in the background, popping up in projects periodically that HAVE to come out. It is so easy to get distracted by the busy-ness of life or emotional turmoil or whatever you are immersed in physically/emotionally/spiritually, and just set aside that creative need so many of us experience and have to let out in some form or fashion. I say, just relax and let life flow around you. Eventually you will see or hear something that sets you off and gets those juices flowing again. We simply can’t help it. 🙂
And BTW, Nickolas, you are a TREASURE.
I started painting in 2003, taking classes twice a week and painting only in class. Then I created a studio at home and painted some there, mainly to finish work left over from class. I participated in some art shows, sold a piece or two, gave away most of it to friends and family. This continued for about seven years. My husband retired, we moved, life changed. I still painted here and there. Friends that I started out with continued to pursue their art with much more vigor and enthusiasm than me. It showed in their work. Several have gone on to become really good with gallery representation and sales to prove it. They stayed with it everyday, showing up, doing the work. I did not.
Several years ago I happened upon a website of an artist that I had met in a workshop. Her work was impressive and much improved since our weekend workshop. Maybe it was ego, but I thought, I can do this. I contacted a collective that sold artist work online and inquired about submissions. Surprisingly they emailed me back and asked me to send them some examples of my work. I did and was politely rejected. I decided I would start painting on a regular basis and get better. Like you say Nick, the more you do, the more you do. I have been painting ever since. I decided I loved painting and mark making and I was going to participate in the process. Over the last year, I have moved from realistic to abstract and finally found what I truly love to do. I am learning and even though it is a”three steps forward, two steps back” process, I can see the improvement. When I feel like this is a waste or I am not motivated, I just remember “practice makes perfect”.
Great comment!
I love the line … “it is initiated by some random inspiration, such as stumbling across someone else’s art that moves me…” It is usually so random, and the trick is to keep awake, alert and open to whatever it may be. Quiet, expansive mind helps, as well as travel and time in nature! It also seems good to take time to not make art, replenish, and refuel.
I managed to keep up with the modules until life responsibilities and a family crisis took front and enter stage this past 2 weeks. Now I’m 2 weeks behind and am feeling anxious about catching up. I now have a dozen prepared panels layed out on my table and I intend to begin again after the Easter break. Can’t wait to get back at it! Colour module here I come🎨👍
Every time I travel it is a paradox because I am inspired by the textures and shapes and colors that I see, and yet once I get back to my studio it is such a struggle to get going. Recently, after a trip to Cuba, I was watching a television series called Four S https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bd6b40a886b764f9ab1c423a8f701872f5fd33243ad42ec9b10d09a0c5c31321.jpg easons in Havana. The flyovers of the decaying buildings were actually incredible visuals so I would pause the television and take photos with my iPhone. Couldn’t wait to get back in the studio and have actually created a couple of related pieces!
I find I just have to show up and get to work. Sometimes it is on something as minor as painting edges or gessoing. It doesn’t matter. Pretty soon I find myself right back in the groove. I do other things to look for inspiration like looking at photos I have taken (so easy these days compared to years ago) or at other people’s art. But mostly it is just a matter of showing up.
so true. I’m struggling with some injuries which have slowed me down.. but I know if I keep the faith… I’ll be back to it when the time is right. Amazing how it works this way! There will come a time when I have no choice but to get myself to the studio and get to some paint!
wow — at first i thought this was about me (its always about me…lol) — until i read further down and realized it was another person.. sounds so so familiar. I am so grateful for this course (CVP)– and there are weeks where i feel as though I am waiting for that special spark as well… but i do find that just showing up really helps– and its very true that you never know when or where or how something will ignite the passion again.
Often, the way I find my way back is by taking a trip, whether to New Hampshire (which feels like my spiritual home and where I am so close to nature) or to some faraway place that’s really different from where I usually live in Florida. You’ve talked about changes and vacations in your videos, which strikes a chord for me: the differences I experience when I remove myself from my “everyday” habitat and routine and my eyes open to new beauty in my surroundings, and new people and experiences.
It’s refreshing to my mind and spirit, these kinds of changes. If I can’t get away but still need a jolt of some kind, a jog does wonders too. Seeing wildlife, hearing sounds, smelling the salty air…and moving, can be transformative and reenergizing.
Also, looking at other artist’s art that appeals to me can inspire me to try something different with my art and breaks up my routine. Just hanging out with artist friends is fun and inspiring.
Recently, the Sargy Mann video inspired me a lot…everything about it and him.
And last but not least watching your videos and doing the Art2Life panels continues to inspire and motivate me…and (whether it show much yet or not) I know I’m learning…thank you!!
(At first I thought the image above was a beautiful blue painting, but it’s a beautifully painted wall and door…very inspiring,)
I know I am on the right track when I start dreaming paintings or lying in bed and deciding how I am going to paint a painting I have just dreamed or have been thinking about. I also get art books, look at art images on line and look at old painting of mine to get inspired. One of these usually works.
Thank you! I can totally relate. I came back to my art after a shoulder injury. For years I have been pursing my passion of the outdoors and I totally ignored that deep burning desire in my heart to be creative with my hands. I injured my shoulder 1 year ago and it forced me to slow down, to rest, and to reconfigure my life. I realized that art is important, it’s a key ingredient for my soul to be happy. By honoring that ingredient, I’ve been showing up everyday making something. Some days are great, others are so-so. But the most important thing is that I feel alive again. Reawakened!!
I find a thought. I used to do acrylic nail art… hand painted on tiny finger nails things like Christmas trees, palm trees on an ocean etc. Then was invited to a group of Friday painters at a church, and was hooked in canvas painting, Well now I live in Costa Rica and have a WALL in the bathroom I am painting of our local Whales Tail beach… to go from tiny looking good to murals on a wall…You just start. Every start is like seeing a snowball on a white canvas… you just have to put something on it, and it will come to life in your minds eye.
As an introvert, I treasure my quiet time to play but to get things going again after flat-lining, I find my mojo by getting out and seeing other’s art. I just spent a weekend playing with wax (encaustic), so I’m firing my pans back up again with fresh inspiration. Over Easter, my husband and I did a local Open Studios in Bermagui (NSW Australia) and seeing other people’s studios has me validating myself again as , “yes, I am an artist and I’m on the right track”. (I struggle with ‘playing’ with art and not generating a living income). So, even introverts need to get outside and get amongst other artists occasionally to get inspiration bursts. 🙂
I feel like that lady in your program….
It is friends and my siblings who believe in me and they nudge me back, I also never lose that ache to work. I have been a course junkie in the past and this is why I had some resistance to joining CVPP…but this one is different because it is giving us tools to use without getting stuck on the teacher(I hope !) For myself , once nudged and loved into action by family and friends, I visit galleries, read , listen and look and when confronted with a blank sheet/canvas etc I scribble all over it , not unlike Nick’s playboards to break the ice. My biggest resistance is fear of failure , but showing up , as Nick puts it reduces this, because that is the kindest thing I can do for my inner creative self. My outward looking self is always in conflict with my interior self, and wins out , timewise, over and over again. So developing a contemplative practice is helpful to keep me more centred and authentically me. Showing up to both can prove a challenge !
I’m just back from a month of traveling and catching up when I read this. I’ve been avoiding starting up in the studio again and now that all the bags are unpacked and put away I decided it was ok just to go make a mess in the studio. I think by giving myself permission just to do anything at all is helping me myself going again. Of course catching up with all my friends in the art2life academy is also giving me tons of energy. I’m seeing all the wonderful work that has happened since I left. Very inspiring.