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.
Adam Enrique Rodriguez
One of the most important things I’ve learned about keeping my inspiration and creativity alive has been to continue to challenge myself everyday. I believe that growth as an artist comes with taking risks, sacrificing your levels of comfort and confronting your doubts and fears. It is easier said than done, especially as an artist, to be able to stay motivated, but I have found that inspiration strikes when I least expect it. Read more>>
Ángela Varo Moreno
For me, creativity is just another part of daily life. Growing up in a culture as full of life and expression as the Andalusian one, creativity is found precisely on routine. Is how we speak, is the way our Andalusian language and its characteristic metaphors are built, our character, is Flamenco, and also our life experiences and values. It is when you see that creativity is as divine as it is human that you begin to make it and see it as an everyday thing. It is then that creativity becomes just a matter of time, action, and love. Read more>>
Orin Torati
As a creative director, I constantly seek inspiration by exploring diverse forms of art, media, and culture, by having no particular focus , I’m able to stay attuned to contemporary culture and innovative ideas, strategies and technologies. Besides that, collaboration with my team members is a crucial part of my creative process, as it brings together a mix of perspectives and talents, sparking innovative ideas and solutions. Read more>>
Mary Rose “Mosie” Branchaud
Creativity is something that is deep inside of me. I come from generations of creatives across different realms of visual, spoken, and musical arts. When I don’t find a creative outlet, I become anxious and frustrated, and find myself craving the need to make something. When it comes to keeping the creativity alive, I find my strongest source for fueling my fire is going to nature. I try to get out into nature daily, whether it’s gardening or walking on the beach or in the woods to source inspirations or actual pieces for my artwork. Read more>>
Chas Martin
I break things. Rules. Objects. Traditions. I need to know why things work and how they might work differently. I love being surprised as much as I enjoy surprising others. Life is serious. Creativity isn’t. However, I believe our focus on creativity misses the mark. Imagination comes first and is the creative trigger. Read more>>
Yenni Orellana
As a professional pastry chef and gourmet food, I keep my creativity alive by: 1. Continuous Learning: I stay updated with new techniques and trends through workshops and reading.
2. Experimentation: I regularly try new ingredients and flavor combinations in the kitchen.
3. Collaborations: Working with other chefs and creatives sparks new ideas.
4. Personal Projects: I dedicate time to personal culinary projects to explore new ideas. Read more>>
Macy Watkins
I am one of the few creatives in the outdoor industry! Hunting, fishing, conservation.. a male dominated industry where I stick out like a sore thumb as a female creative passionate about the outdoors. I keep my creativity alive by creating every single day, no matter if it’s good or bad. I sketch wildlife on my iPad and sketchbook. Even when I’m in the woods observing wildlife. I also read a lot about nature and wildlife, becoming fully educated on my subject matter! Read more>>
Johannes Rillo
As a toy photographer, I keep my creativity alive by constantly seeking new perspectives and storytelling techniques. I experiment with different lighting setups, angles, and props to bring toys to life in unique ways. Exploring various themes, from sci-fi adventures to dramatic scenes, keeps my work fresh and engaging. Read more>>
Joseph Klos
I like to keep my creativity alive by constantly writing and jotting down ideas. I like to give myself goals to be completed by a certain date and time. So every night I sit in front of my laptop and type up a few pages I set for the night. Read more>>
philip page
I like to explore untold and under-told stories and put them in a cinematic lenses. From there I explore telling these stories in a unique light. As a DJ, in my younger days, I had to take different approaches to not sound like my peers. I apply this to filmmaking. Read more>>
David Barmer Jr
Getting out and living, theres so much beauty in the world. Im Constantly pushing myself to find inspiration in everyday things, Learning new skills, and working alongside people who have different creative processes. I’ve been putting myself in situations where i’m constantly challenged to think outside the box and improvise which has helped me grow a lot as a creative as well as a person. Im also blessed to know and be surrounded by so many creative and talented people who inspire me. Read more>>
Jordan Hawkins
I am constantly keeping my creativity alive by ensuring that I always make time to create for myself. Creativity is an expression of joy, so to focus your creativity only for profit, is to deprive yourself of joy. I don’t want that for myself. Read more>>
Miles Oscar Matunya
As an Artist/Creator, I spend so much time reading blogs on the internet written by renowned creatives and they act as my inspiration. I regularly attend Art & Creative Workshops both physically and virtually, these help to keep me in the groove and they tend to be very effective. As part of my daily routine I have 1-2 hours of sitting around doing nothing and during this time I get to brainstorm and come up with artistic ideas. Read more>>
Meredith Maltby Jao
I need a steady stream of interesting materials to be inspired by. Books, audiobooks, podcasts, movies, you name it. If I don’t have a cue of interesting things in the line-up I feel a bit creatively unfulfilled. We need to make time for our creative selves, whether that’s seeing a play or just daydreaming. Read more>>
Stella Koslowski
I have kept my creativity alive by continuing to search for new materials to experiment with. Even though I am most experienced with painting, I really enjoy other crafts such as sewing, and have tried to find ways to incorporate it into my painting work to keep things fresh. This way, I never feel like I am running out of ideas. Even if a day in the studio means trying a new material and failing, I always find it useful to my practice. The same goes for my more illustration focused work. Trying new and unusual color palettes or styles helps keep storytelling fun! Read more>>
Katherine Pryor
I used to think creativity was like a lightning strike, shooting from the sky in unpredictable patterns given the right conditions. Yet after fourteen years as a professional writer and author, I’ve come to understand that creativity is more like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Read more>>
Kareem “Reemo Meerak” Tyson
I keep my creativity alive by not comparing myself to others, and really understand the entertainment business, as well as making sure I upgrade and upkeep the items I need my brand to flourish. Also, really practicing on my craft, and honing in on my skills, and make sure I’m as potent, and consistent as possible. My self-care days are essentially important to my creativity and I make sure they are taken, or I wouldn’t be in the industry as long as I have. Read more>>
Donna Marie West
I have a variety of interests, and I think that helps with creativity. When I feel blocked or not into the zone on one subject, I might be inspired to write about something else. Also, since I’m a freelance editor as well as an author, I can jump from one project to another, from one of my own to something I’m editing for someone else. Read more>>
KD Stout
I started drawing when I was 3 years old. My dad, uncle, and grandfather were artists as well. While growing up, those three men became my art teacher. I never stopped working with art. I also find it therapeutic. I had a rough time in elementary school, and after school, I did a lot of drawings and it helped me get through the rest of the day. Read more>>
Alyshia Tuyet Gonzalez
I feel that to answer this question appropriately, I have to set the stage. So, let me give you a little background on my life from a year ago. At the end of April 2023 after completing a 9-week publishing course, I released my first self-published chapbook “& Also With You”, a multimedia exploration of love, lust, and heartbreak. I was so proud of myself for reaching this milestone in my career and putting out a collection that I felt was fresh, innovative, and most importantly, honest. Read more>>
Otharin Liggins
I keep my creativity alive by going on shopping websites and apps and looking through clothing pieces to see which ones I like and I screenshot them and put them in a gallery in my photos. Then later I go back to all the pieces and create looks on a canvas! I also look on social media for a lot of inspiration. Read more>>
Sarah Clifford
I’m constantly challenging myself. A lot of customers love to give me a theme for their orders, which really helps me brainstorm new ideas and ways to create the perfect board for them. I’m always researching new tips and tricks to use. I often participate in creative forums and groups on social media with other charcuterie board artist to exchange ideas. Read more>>
Alexandra Forgues
A little goes a long way ! I know this may sound simple, but it’s shocking how true that statement can be. Many think that to keep your creativity alive, especially in seasons where work might seem slow or not how you would like it to be optimally, that you need to go out and big with your art at all times. I believe that doing something creative everyday, regardless of how big or small the gesture, it will make such a difference long term. Read more>>
Litong Zeng
There exists a certain core drive that compels me to create. One is desire, and the other is fear. People often say, “Be genuine.” I say, “Be desire.” I am talking about the same thing—something that cannot be separated from creative expression. Creating without desire often makes me feel numb. “Creating for the sake of creating” is a very lifeless state for me, and I don’t believe that creating without desire can show sincerity. Read more>>
