We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the world and one of the most important questions we ask them is around keeping one’s creativity alive. Below, we’ve highlighted some of those responses.
Lindsay Bullis
Being an artist is ingrained into every fiber of my being and I feel like keeping my creativity alive comes very naturally to me. I find inspiration everywhere in my daily life, nature, and in my thoughts and emotions. In addition to painting, I have other hobbies that keep me thinking and planning my next art piece. I love to read, journal, play video games, and spend time in nature. Read More>>
Axel Castro
I think most artists go through periods of less inspiration, but in the world of media scoring, there isn’t really time to wait for the muse, with deadlines being so short and so strict, especially for composers.
I generally have two things I like to do whenever these droughts come my way. The first thing I always have in mind is not to be afraid to restart. I try to “keep the kitchen open” for as long as possible to allow myself to rewrite if needed. Read More>>
Rhea Agustin
Creativity is like a seed that is planted in your brain.If you continue to water the seed it will eventually grow into a beautiful flower. A piece of art that needed the roots, and foundation to grow. If you choose to stop watering the seed. The seed will eventually die, and and we would have never known the true beauty of a flower. Read More>>
Derrell Harrison
I stay creative by always keeping it moving even if it feels goofy sometimes. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had that ‘what if?’ mindset. I used to ask it constantly, and honestly, I never let that curiosity die. I’ve learned that some of my best ideas come when I’m not trying too hard, just letting things flow. Creativity is like a muscle to me I keep it strong by using it often, staying curious, and always being open to learning something new. Read More>>
Apollo Houston
When I feel my creativity burning out, I sit in Central Park. Recently I was struggling to find a new story for a new play I was writing so I left my apartment and sat in Central Park for a few hours. I love to study the people and their energy, picturing where they came from and what they’re doing next. There’s something incredibly interesting about the different types of stories that are told simply through what a person wears or how a person walks Read More>>
Hakan Adik
I keep my creativity alive by constantly observing the world around me. Nature, art, music, conversations-they all inspire me. I also try to step away from tattooing now and then to recharge, whether it’s visiting a gallery, walking in the city, or just watching a good film. That balance keeps my mind fresh. Read More>>
Amanda Sloan
I strive to make time for it. Each week as I go over the schedule with my husband we make sure to block off time for me to just be creative. Whether that is an hour or two outside of the house without kids, or a night where he puts the kids to bed, we make sure there is always time to be creative. Read More>>
Frannie Dawkins
I have always been a creative soul at heart- but what inspires me the most in this particular industry is constantly learning. There is always a new subject or nuance I want to dive into to not only grow as a personal trainer, but also to continue to get those creative juices flowing. Learning is the best way to open your mind to things you otherwise would have never even thought to do. If I could paid to learn I would! Read More>>
Mira Victor
We all know that staying in a creative mindset can be incredibly challenging — it’s not always easy. But I truly feel that God is holding my hand and walking me through each day, guiding me step by step.
especially during the making of my film “40 Days”. What kept my creativity alive was staying deeply connected to real human stories. I imagine pain or hope — I lived it, I saw it, and I listened. The people whose voices often go unheard inspired me. Read More>>
Xiaoyi Ying
For me, creativity stays alive through curiosity and variety. I don’t like staying in one lane musically. I’m always exploring different styles, instruments, and projects. One week I might be writing orchestral music for a film. The next I’m producing a retro inspired pop track or experimenting with sound textures for a video game. That constant shift keeps things fresh and exciting. Read More>>
Olga Prepis
I keep my creativity alive by staying curious and open to new ideas. Inspiration can come from everyday moments, whether it’s a conversation, a new place, or just some quiet time to reflect. I try to write regularly, even if it’s just jotting down small ideas or melodies or quick object writing, so I stay connected to my creative flow. Read More>>
Alex Crafard, AJ Perram, Ben Lohrer, Max Crafard
All of us in Venom of Virtue have our own ways of keeping the creative spark alive, but it really comes down to balance and openness. Staying mentally healthy and not burning ourselves out is key. Whether that’s through self-care, keeping a solid work-life balance, or just taking time to reset. Read More>>
Sydney Scott
Consuming other people’s work keeps me alive. Books, short stories, poetry, flash fiction, photography, artwork of any kind, music. If you name anything that required someone else’s imagination and creativity, I will take it in, appreciate it for what it is, and use it to help fuel my own desire to create. Read More>>
Sama K Rahbar
“Creativity isn’t always a spark—it’s often a slow burn, and staying lit can be tough. For years, I wrestled with that flicker, trying to stay inspired. Then I realized: the secret isn’t just to look—it’s to truly see.
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Looking is passive. Seeing is an act of curiosity. When we see, we start to notice patterns, textures, stories hidden in plain sight. Our brains come alive, connecting dots we didn’t even know were there. Suddenly, the world becomes a canvas, and ideas begin to bloom. Read More>>
Paulette Morales
I keep my creativity alive by doing things that make me feel inspired and connected — things that light me up from the inside. This also means staying true to who I am. I try to reconnect with the things that shaped me, the things I love, and the little moments that make me feel like myself. When I stay close to that, I naturally feel more inspired. Read More>>
Toye Shogbamimu
I keep my creativity alive by staying connected and engaged with things that originally inspired me—like ’90s and early 2000s internet, old cartoons, and childhood nostalgia. Artistically, I am always creating characters, building worlds, and pulling ideas from all forms of past and present media. Read More>>
Behnaz Ghasempour
For me, creativity is not something to be chased; it’s something to be listened to. I keep it alive by attuning myself to silence, memory, and the emotional traces people leave behind. Growing up in Iran, where many things couldn’t be spoken out loud, I learned to observe deeply, to feel the weight of unspoken words, and to find meaning in stillness. That space between what is felt and what can be expressed has always been fertile ground for my imagination. Read More>>
Ramell Douglas
I use a few different ways to keep my creativity alive, the first one is traveling around different places give me different perspectives, the second one is reading when I read it keeps my brain active and ready to create and the last one I’m going to give you is fruits, i eat different fruits to help set the mood for what I’m creating Read More>>
Ruth McCleskey
For me, creativity thrives when I stay curious, connected, and engaged. There are three key things that help keep my creative energy flowing:
Choosing projects that resonate. I gravitate toward work that excites me—whether that’s new plays, stories that center women, or collaborations with artists I admire and respect. When I’m personally invested, it’s much easier to stay imaginative and inspired. Read More>>
Ben Frazier
I’m 41 years old. I have been a creative artist all my life, an illustrator for 25 years, and a traditional tattooer for 12 years. So I do struggle with creativity but not as much as I use to.
Understanding what triggers my imagination or creativity helps. Whether it is a type of music, or looking at images I have no context over are some examples of a trigger. Read More>>
Jef Lippiatt
Everyday I proactively take deliberate actions to help recharge and release my creativity. One of the main things I do is write and doodle ideas on sticky notes as soon as I have an idea. I keep sticky note pads in several rooms so they are always within reach. Another way I challenge my creativity is intentionally connecting with other creative people on social media spanning illustrators to music producers. Read More>>
J. Alex
I let my imagination run wild and refuse to put limits on what my art can be. I carry a small art notebook with me everywhere so I can jot down ideas as they come — whether it’s a color palette I see on the street or a random thought that could spark a whole new series. I also challenge myself to think outside the box and push past my comfort zone. Read More>>
Gil Templeton
Choosing a career as an advertising creative is definitely a way to keep the creative muscles engaged, and on my best days, it’s incredibly fulfilling. But the day-to-day doesn’t always scratch the creative itch. Music, food, and writing are my true creative outlets — where I don’t have to walk anything back for a client or an internal review. When I can achieve a flow state during any of those three activities, that’s when I’m most creative. Read More>>
Shahar Amdor
I try to include as many diverse and meaningful experiences in my life as possible — getting out of the house, meeting new people, and exploring new places. It’s inspiring to step into someone else’s world and absorb their thoughts, landscapes, and emotions. That kind of openness fuels the urge to create. Read More>>
Kelly Guedes
I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to the people I work with. Every client brings their own energy, story, and perspective, and that naturally sparks ideas for me. Whether it’s capturing a quiet moment between two people in love or listening to someone’s journey and turning it into visual storytelling, I’m constantly inspired by real lives and emotions Read More>>
Jack Grove
To keep creativity alive I get lost in nature, that’s really all it takes for me. The key is to get rid of any distractions and just be present, then ideas will flow. The more solitude and further out there I can get, the better. Read More>>
Sadeq Es-Haqi
Living as an artist is a full-time experience. At some point, you begin to truly feel it. When you’re younger, you spend time developing skills that might serve you later. But as time passes, you realize that creativity doesn’t just happen when you’re working. It becomes part of how you live, how you look at the world, and how you absorb it. Read More>>
Gael Kuni
I really like to observe. Constantly look for ideas, for new challenges, new stories. Sometimes when I am out in the street I just sit and observe and start to imagine everyone’s stories. I consider myself an over thinker. Most of the times this is a good thing for me, because it gives me ideas. And when I am working with those ideas, I start to think to the last minute detail, I like to give everything a reason Read More>>
Kyle Leatherman
Hm, That’s a good question. I think it’s different for everybody. I think you have to have a strong passion for what you do, but at the same time you need to learn that it’s ok to take breaks – hours, days, maybe even weeks sometimes. I have so much creative output that it isn’t just focused on music. I like to write, draw, design, built, etc. Read More>>
Glenda Grant
From the start, it wasn’t easy, I dove into art with zero formal training and found myself constantly comparing my work to seasoned artists. That self doubt was a real challenge, and for a long time, I felt like my pieces were never quite enough.
Yet, over time, I discovered a simple truth: letting go of perfection and embracing the process unlocks joy and intuition. True practice taught me that art thrives when I trust my instincts, allowing spontaneity to guide each brushstroke. This shift from perfectionism to playfulness was transformative. Read More>>
Samantha DeSoto
Creativity is essential in my industry. I spend most of my time building websites, so being creative is a large part of the job. From what I’ve seen, most people think that creativity is like a bucket and you only get so much, so they are afraid to use it up. However, creativity is more like a muscle; the more you use it, the more it grows. Read More>>
Ken Gregory
Keeping creativity alive is a challenge, especially when you’re in an industry that is experiencing a massive influx, downturn and influx. For myself, it’s been my practice to take classes to either enhance my current skill set or learn a new skill set. 2024 was extremely difficult in the entertainment industry, so much so that there was a new catch phrase, “Survive to 2025!” So I spent all of 2024 learning screenwriting. Read More>>
Dee Hausner
It’s not always easy. The daily stressors of life can definitely have your creative energy running on fumes at times. What do I do to try to combat this? Coffee. Lots of coffee. Haha. Well, this might not be the total answer but I do love my coffee. For me, I think it has to start with being in the right headspace that is conducive to creativity. Read More>>
Sergio Castillo
Keeping my creativity alive was something i struggled with for a while. I would have periods in my life where i felt so unproductive, I just wanted to runaway from the responsibility of creating art, it felt like a chore i lied to myself to love. I do truly love art, I feel useless when I’m not creating, and that was the mindset i had to kill. Read More>>
