Sometimes creating comes easy and feels like second nature. This feeling of inspiration can be intoxicating, and it can also fool us into thinking that something is “wrong” if we don’t feel this same excitement every time we sit down to create. 

Don’t listen to that voice. Inspiration comes and goes, but if we show up for our art consistently, we can see tremendous growth. If you’re feeling discouraged or thinking about giving up, first let me share the simple strategies I use when I am feeling the same way.  

How to Make Art When You’re Feeling Uninspired or Unmotivated

1. Remind yourself that you are not alone. 

Creating art is often such a solitary act, and it is easy to start feeling lonely and like you’re the only one having trouble staying motivated. This isolation can make feelings of creative burnout even worse. The following are great ways to remind yourself that you’re not in this alone.  

• Remember that every artist struggles.

If you’re standing in front of a piece of art that you’re not happy with right now, it is important that you remember that this happens to all artists. In the age of social media, it can be hard to remember this all the time, but just as Instagram is the highlight reel of people’s lives, it is also the highlight reel of artists’ work. You’re seeing the best of what they can produce, and rarely do you see the struggles along the way. So even those artists that seem untouchable, remember that they have their days where they struggle too. 

In fact, some of the best artists that I know - incredible artists that I look up to - they still have paintings that they aren't happy with. I remember a long time ago I saw a Facebook post by Joseph Zbukvic, who is a world-renowned watercolor artist, that showed a painting of his torn in half, sitting on the ground. People were just going nuts because everybody wants his artwork. It really stuck with me to see that someone that is that talented - that is that far ahead of me - still makes art that they're not happy with. 

The ripped, discarded painting is not a failure. It’s actually a sign of growth - that is, if it is followed up with a renewed belief that you can continue to learn and grow. It’s important to remember that if we're not struggling along the way, we're not improving. We all struggle, make mistakes, get bogged down. This is all a part of growth. 

• Find a creative community.

One way to combat the effects that social media can have on our creative mindset is to tap into a creative community. When you can find people and mentors who are vulnerable and transparent about their artistic process, this can be transformative.

Whether you find this camaraderie on social media, through an online program like my Watercolor Community, or through participation in art fairs, the support and encouragement can bolster you during times you feel discouraged. These are your people, and they understand the particular struggles and stresses of growing creatively. They can also be a source of developing your artistic skill set. 

I’ve found that watercolor painting can be a lonely endeavor when I’m not connected with other people who care about art and have first-hand experience dealing with the obstacles I face daily. Not only are these relationships uplifting, but they give me boosts of motivation to keep learning and honing my craft.

• Share your creative process - or at least some of your successes!

This piece of advice likely makes some of you incredibly anxious. I get it. It can be nerve-wracking to put your work out in the world for people to see. But something I’ve learned over time as I have shared my art is that people love to see others create, and you can really inspire others to pursue creativity as well.

There are simple ways to share, of course, through social media accounts like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, but you could also start a website or blog to share your creative journey. Or if all of that makes you nervous, consider sharing more of your creative pursuit with close friends or family members. Regardless of how you choose to invite people in, you will likely receive some valuable input, connect with artists that share your passion, and generate interest around your art. 

2. Create often and in short intervals.

Oftentimes, we think that if we don’t have hours to spend creating then it’s not worth it. While I love a solid chunk of time to paint, I have found that some of my breakthroughs have actually come in moments where I had limited time. Especially if your schedule doesn’t allow for ample creative time, here are some tips for you.

• “Paint small.” 

As a watercolor painter, most of my paintings are 11X15 and sometimes I might paint a half sheet. But if I'm struggling, I go back and start painting small again. Simplifying or shortening your creative project can really help you hone in on particular elements of your craft.

Painting watercolor, you have to think about your drawing, timing, edges, connections, values. And when you're painting at a larger size, these things are amplified. The stakes are intensified. I’m sure this is similar when it comes to writing or drawing or painting in other mediums. When you can take off a bite size chunk, the elements you have to control become more manageable.

When you paint small, you can see it more as a sketch rather than an important finished painting that needs to be polished and perfect. Sometimes this helps to take the pressure down a notch and allows you to play a little bit with your craft. 

The other nice thing about taking on shorter projects is they take less time. You can sit down for a short creative session and still walk away with the satisfaction of watching something coalesce. You can walk away having tried your hand at something new or having given time to a skill that needs repetition in order to master it. 

• Introduce the bare minimum rule.

There are seasons in life when we’re able to devote a lot of time to our art, and there are other times when we are hard-pressed to sit down to write a sentence, sketch a single scene, or snap a single photo. During these more overwhelming times, something that is often helpful is to create a “bare minimum” for each day or week. 

For instance, if my life is busier than usual and I know that I am going to be painting a lot less frequently, instead of making no time for my art and feeling down about it, I’ll create a really easy goal to meet. Maybe it’s 10 minutes of sketching a day. Maybe it’s a single, 3x5 mini painting a day. Perhaps it is creating one painting a week. It can even be something tangential to the painting process like capturing a reference photo each day. Whatever it is, make the goal doable. You can always do more than your goal, but setting the bar low keeps you in tune with your craft during times that it feels nearly impossible to do so. 

• Use a dedicated calendar for accountability.

This is a really simple concept that can either go along with the bare minimum rule or be a stand-alone strategy. It’s really simple. You get a blank calendar to hang somewhere that you will see every day. Then, for every day that you give some time to your craft - however loosely or rigidly you want to apply that standard - you will mark the square for that day in some way. 

I like to mark my calendar with one big X because it feels good. But maybe you’d rather have this calendar be a multi-use tool and you’d prefer to subtly mark the days with a small check mark in the corner. The whole point is just to increase motivation. Once you get in a rhythm and see your marks accumulating, you won’t want to miss a day.    

This easy motivational strategy is great for times when you want to start a new habit, or recommit to a goal.  

3. Step back and reflect.

When I asked watercolor painter, Thomas Schaller, what he does to find inspiration, he said, “I think about who I am and what makes me what to paint in the first place. I don’t have to go out and find it. I just have to sit down and get to work… It’s the process of doing it that’s inspiring. You’ve already got the inspiration.”

Here are a few suggestions that can help you stay attuned to the inspiration within you.

• Look for beauty and wisdom around you.

Inspiration is found within, certainly. And the act of creation spurs you toward inspiration, but it doesn’t hurt to surround yourself with experiences, words, and images that incite that creative fire within

• Are there quotes that keep you going? Find a way to incorporate them in your life. Hang them on the wall, print them in your planner, save them in a note on your phone. 
• Is there artwork that awakens something in you? Make a practice of looking through a book of paintings by your favorite artist or reading poems that help you look at life a little differently.
• Is there a subject that you are drawn to? Take pictures of it, drive a little out of the way to see it. Walk a little slower, pay a little more attention, listen more attentively.  

An artistic life has so much to do with careful observation of the world and to the people and subjects that inspire you. For me, this means I notice the light almost everywhere I go - how it has changed the color of a field of wheat or the way it is hitting the roof of a house. It fascinates me and makes me want to paint.  

• Remember that failure is the only way forward.

Think about some of the most successful athletes of all time. Nolan Ryan is one of the best pitchers to ever play the game and holds the record for career strikeouts. But what you don't often think about is that he also holds the record for career walks. Think about all the incompletions that Tom Brady has thrown, the shots that Michael Jordan missed.

The only way to reach your potential is to fail over and over and over and over again… but to continue to answer those failures by showing back up, day in and day out. 

You've probably seen the stack of paintings I'm not happy with. If not, here they are: 

I hope that this stack gets higher and higher and higher, because that means that I'm continuing to come back and push myself and learn. It means I am always trying to get better and better. So if you're struggling today, if you're thinking about giving up, please try and realize that failure is the only way to keep learning and growing.

• Reflect on why you love making art and what excites you about your medium.

Sometimes we get so discouraged that we lose sight of what we love about creating. If you’re feeling that way, take some time to reflect. I suggest either talking to a close friend or journaling on the following topics: 

• Why do I want to make art?
• How does the creative life uplift and encourage me?
• What is it that I love about [watercolor painting, writing, knitting, drawing, etc.]?
• How do I feel when I am devoting time to my craft?

So, for me, I think about taking a fully loaded brush onto a damp piece of paper and watching the creation of a beautiful, soft edge with colors that are merging together on the paper. This is one of my favorite experiences. Any time I'm doubting, any time I want to give up, I think about the beautiful things that I love about the medium of watercolor.

Taking a step back to think about why you love to paint can relieve some of the pressure you’ve put on yourself or that social media has created. I know firsthand that when you are exposed to hundreds and hundreds of artists on Instagram or YouTube, all showing you their best work, this can be defeating. If you need to, take a step away from social media and get in your own world. Reflect a bit on yourself, your medium, and what you want from a creative life.

Should I Quit Making Art?

I hope it’s clear by now that my answer to this is a resounding no. Please keep at it. Your particular perspective and talent cannot be replicated, and we are all better off in a world with more art. 

When you doubt this, return to these three reminders: 

1. You are not alone in this struggle. 
2. Creating small and often can be rewarding and motivating. 
3. Taking a step back and remembering why you love to create is important.

As always, thank you for spending time with me here today. I hope that you find this information helpful and encouraging. 

Related Videos: 

Frustrated with Watercolor? How to Keep Going

Learn Watercolor Fast (Three Ways to Speed Up Your Learning)

Inspiration in Watercolor - What to do When You Don’t Feel Inspired