One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is keeping your creativity alive. If only it was as easy as taking a nap or giving your creative muscles some rest, but as countless creatives have shared with us, keeping one’s creativity alive is something that requires effort and intention. Below, we’ve shared some of those perspectives, stories and advice.
Becca Holloway
In this industry, it’s really difficult to maintain your creative spark, and I know how easy it is to slip into burnout. What helps me keep my creativity alive is what I call “filling the cup.” Referencing the quote “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” I find other pieces of art that inspire me to “fill my cup.”. I’ll read books either about theater/directing as well as other subjects I’m interested in. I’ll watch a bunch of movies, go see shows, listen to music, etc. Being an artist doesn’t just mean making the art. It is a lifestyle and with that, comes finding inspiration from everywhere. By letting myself absorb the art around me, I in turn, am able to create and be inspired. Read More>>
Richard & Ryan Taylor
In order to keep our creativity alive, we learned that we have to take breaks from our everyday schedule to do things that we thoroughly enjoy, such as spending time with family and friends, going to amusement parks, hiking, traveling to new places and tying new foods. It is in this balance that we can breathe and develop a level of peace to be able to create again. Read More>>
TEE GOT HITZ
Keeping my creativity alive first is because of GOD, followed with a mix of meditation & yoga while tuning my frequency to 432hz by way of soundscapes. In addition to eating nutritious foods that feed the mind & body. It’s help me channel & redirect negative energies, which has allowed me to create some of the BEST music of my Life over the past 3-4 years. With my upcoming Instrumental Album it will be displayed for the world to hear. Read More>>
Joha Bisone
I keep my creativity alive by working in my studio almost every day. Even if it’s only for a few minutes to a few hours, I try to be pretty consistant with that. I usually have a few things I’m working on at a time. Currently I’m trying to finish up work started in the early summer! I find after all these years of painting and drawing there are still things to be discovered and experimented with in regards to the materials (paint, pencils, etc) the subject matter, the colors, the compositions, the list goes on. Read More>>
Kenise Bridgers
I keep my creativity alive through my children. Every opportunity I have, I cherish celebrating their birthdays, milestones and just about any occasion. They often become my inspiration, motivating me to explore new ideas and experiences that I’ve observed from others. Crafting DIY projects and crafting cherished memories hold a special place in my heart. Read More>>
Robert Cosby
My creativity stems from if I’m being honest the desire to have more even with less available. Let me explain. I didn’t grow up rich or otherwise privileged but give me a pen and blank sheet of paper and I felt like I could rule the world. My mother noticed this in me at a young age and fostered it as best she could. She was a secretary so I was never wanting for writing tools or paper. The key to keeping my creativity alive was never allowing myself to settle in one direction if my heart ventured further. Oftentimes we hold ourselves to a ruthless standard that can keep us focused but at the cost of sacrificing our freedom of imagination. Read More>>
Shannon Eis
I am not your typical artist. I paint, craft, hot glue, epoxy, screw, drill, cut, saw, draw, sand etc. I make wall art, found object assemblage/repurpose sculpture, jewelry, polymer clay dolls, stuff with bones,
and the list goes on. Most notable things about me are that I’m missing a couple fingers (got into a fight with a groundhog) and I cuss too much. People often ask and wonder how I can make so many different things. Read More>>
Boston FoodDudes
Creativity is very important to all three of us. We constantly bounce ideas off of each other and we love to keep our content unique and fun. Our passion for film making and food have come together perfectly as The Boston FoodDudes. We typically create videos with fun storylines and interesting characters to create memorable content that helps restaurants stand out. Read More>>
Celia Bernardo
Traveling and immersing myself in new cultures! It has always been a passion of mine, I find and collect the most interesting textiles, pieces, and trinkets which I then pull from for inspiration. I moved away from home into a completely different culture at a very young age, I guess it has taken away the fear of the unknown for me, and it has now become a need of mine! Read More>>
Anberyel Gordon
I keep my creativity alive by reading books. One of my favorite books that I purchased this year is called You Owe You by Eric Thomas. You owe it to yourself to be successful in be what God called you to be. I write down my weekly goals, monthly goals and yearly goals in my planner. I execute at least two to three goals that are on my weekly list within that week. That way I can end the week with some accomplishments and something to celebrate. Read More>>
Sade Hobson
Creativity has often helped me transition through some tough times. It has kept me afloat, it has inspired me, and it is such an integral part of who I am. I keep my creativity alive by going within. Sometimes creativity wanes but meditation and trying new things help me to keep things fresh. I love to explore textiles, textures and different genres of being creative. These range from writing, recording poetry, crochet, clay work, jewelry making and the list goes on. If I’m interested in it I’m going to try to learn about it. Read More>>
Christina Jovonn
2 books that help me with creativity are The Artist’s Way and The Listening Path by Julia Cameron. Ideas that I have take from the books are Morning Pages, where I free write 3 pages every morning before getting out of bed. This practice has really revved up my creativity. Also Artist’s dates, where I do something each week just for my enjoyment. This can be anything that I love going to the museum, visiting a new café, walking in nature are a few things that bring me back to me and leave me feeling inspired. Read More>>
Jay Swagg
By pushing myself to new limits and challenging myself to be better then I was a a year or a month or even just a week ago. I also take time out for me and take time out alone and away from people so I can block out all kinds of different distractions. Read More>>
1MOD
I believe that creativity is a discipline just as much as it is a gift. It’s about showing up consistently, whether or not you feel inspired in the moment. There’s a saying that goes, ‘If we show up, the muse will show up,’ and I truly believe in that. I’ve found that some of my best creative work has emerged when I didn’t initially feel like it or lacked motivation. Read More>>
Chris Jackson
For me, it isn’t just one thing. It’s actually a plethora of things that I find myself loving to do in order to keep my creativity alive. For one, i LOVE to read. I love a good story, especially if it’s a true one. Outside of fictional stories, I thoroughly enjoy reading about the lives of other creatives. I’m grateful to those Artists that have paved the way for those such as myself, who have chosen to share their personal life stories and journey, because it shows me that I am FAR from alone. And although I wasn’t there, reading about their creative process somehow transfers to me and does something in igniting or re-igniting mine. Read More>>
Kenzie Dorsher
Take Breaks. Sometimes I have an idea in my head but when it’s time to execute it, I struggle with finishing it due to perfectionism. Recently, I have been setting a timer for 10 minutes and if I am not happy with what I have so far, I will take a break and tackle it later. I feel that when you are working on something for a long time, you almost get consumed by it. Setting a timer forces me to take a break from the screen and come back to the project with refreshed eyes. Read More>>
Courtney Ramm
I keep creativity alive in my life by realizing that life itself is a creative act, and even simple things like whimsically arranging a colorful meal for my children is an act of creativity that is not lost to the world. When I feel blocked, I always turn to Nature. I literally will stop what I’m doing, step outside and start walking, stretching, or jumping on my rebounder, letting energy and movement shake up blockages. I find it best to not try to force creativity but let it flow! We are creative beings at our core, and once we realize this, we can tap into unlimited creative expression from within. Read More>>
Aaron Hawkins
I am an artist, actor and filmmaker so my mind operates differently than most people. Throughout my daily life I see many things as an opportunity to expand my creativity. I can envision a scene for one of my many scripts in real time and come up with a rough scene and explain it in person to anyone. Read More>>
Melissa Payne Baker
Through my art, I love to celebrate the beauty around us, layer by layer, unfolding life through color and texture onto my canvas. I have always been a creative person, passionate about everything from art to interior design. Different mediums, including acrylic and oil, allow me to express my vision in my abstract work. My art is an expression of my experiences, emotions, inspirations and stories I choose to tell. I strive to convey the sense of calmness through the complexities of life but I have to be in the perfect mind frame to create. These emotions, I paint from my heart and I hope my collectors feel each time they view my work. To keep my creativity alive I have to unplug completely from my studio. Sometimes unplugging for days to weeks. During this time I do something creative around my house and with my son. Read More>>
Chris Brown
From a very early age I feel I observed the world around me differently than my siblings. I felt more in tune with my feelings and surroundings. I truly believe I was born a sensitive person for the sole purpose of creating. I absorb things differently than most people I know. I see beauty in the smallest things, in the strangest places. I cry at the simplest moments: the bark of a tree, a lyric, the smell of a campfire, or the perfect faded color of red. I store all these things away and access them at the appropriate time – consciously or not. Read More>>
Czar Scott
I just live my life and soak it all in. My creative focus is aimed primarily towards writing. Being in that headspace most of the time, I try to embrace every moment and be a sponge. (student of life mentality) with that said, I try my best to be mindful of what I consume. Read More>>
Marsha Rowe
For me, keeping the fire of creativity burning is the most exhilarating aspect of my business. Specializing in one-of-a-kind designs, creativity is not just a driving force; it’s the very foundation of sustained success and building lasting connections with my customers. Read More>>
Eddie Castillo
Avoiding creative blocks is vital for me. I need to feel that fiery passion that comes with being completely absorbed in a project. When I’m in my element, working as a video artist, it doesn’t feel like a job at all. It feels like I’m sharing a part of myself, a unique gift, with the world. This sensation is somewhat surreal, reminiscent of a singer whose voice resonates deeply with others. It brings me immense joy and fulfillment, especially knowing that what I bring to the table can help a project stand shoulder to shoulder with the industry giants. Read More>>
Kenneth Spivey
To ensure my creativity stays alive, I actively explore new avenues for expressing fresh ideas. I constantly seek new perspectives and I find inspiration in various sources like movies, history, mythology, video games, and within nature. Additionally, I observe work from other artist and wonder how they might tackle issues, which often help springboard ideas or solutions for my own creations. Read More>>
Quachavious Ellison
When it comes to my music, I love what I do! Therefore, I keep my creativity alive by staying persistent and creative. Quachavious Wiley Ellison (stage name Qnova), is a music artist, songwriter, host, entrepreneur, and who graduated from Ashford University Magna Cum Laude in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She’s charted within the FM media-base, played on Sirius XM Radio (Shade 45), & has had a live interview on Atlanta’s own NPR (WABE NEWS/ 90.1). Read More>>
