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.
Chris Johnson
In our business creativity and innovation comes from a willingness to “fail” and learn so we can modify our offering before trying again. There is an inordinate amount of time you can spend trying to create “perfect products” but even when you think you can create exactly what a customer wants, and select customers tell you it’s what they want, you can’t really KNOW until you develop a minimum viable product and take a chance releasing it. At Cerus we really try to foster the innovative spirit– every one of our weekly staff meeting ends with a free form idea session. Our goal is to keep taking calculated risks and learning from them so we can continue to refine and iterate. It’s the most fun part of the job! Read More>>
Erin Morrow
I have struggled a lot over the last year with creative burn out, it took a big toll on my mental health, so I needed to figure out a better system. On a normal day I am usually scrolling Pinterest for inspiration or sketching out ideas which I think is why I was experiencing so much burnout. I decided to take frequent creative breaks from social media/ technology as a whole and from actively brainstorming and creating. So, when I feel a burn out coming, I will pack up my workspace and take a step back for a few days or even weeks. I put my energy into new experiences and doing things outside or with friends. I find that this really helps to alleviate the pressure of feeling like I must create something new and perfect every time I sit in my workspace. By the time I am ready to get back into it my mind is racing with new ideas, and I am excited to get back to work. Read More>>
Antonio Jones
Being creative is what I would say is a gift that I have had since a kid. I feel for anyone it has to be in you to put ideas together that will work. How I keep it alive, I would say research and study, brainstorming and in the end executing the idea. For me all these elements play a part in the ability of the speaking to an audience of what you have created. Read More>>
Chris Perkins
Sharing it with others. For my new EP, “Meant To Be” the reason why it came out so great was because I shared my creativity with others and collaborated with fellow creatives to get further. When you’re an independent artist, you learn to do every single job and you want to show off and be proud of it. But you also learn that it shows off more of your limitations when you’re spread too thin or creating things that aren’t your specialty. This can result in your creativity dying off or losing inspiration because you devote so much of it into: music, videos, artwork covers, content, posters, pictures. Read More>>
Travis Meisenzahl
Keeping your brain creative when you are a full time artist can definitely be tricky. Sometimes it’s easy to fall into a rut and feel like art is more of a “job” rather than a passion. Doing anything every day can be tricky regardless of how passionate you are about it. I have been doing art in many different forms for years, but my main avenue of creativity and full time job is tattooing. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything but sometimes I definitely find it hard to keep my head in the game. A huge factor in keeping me interested in tattooing and not getting burnt out from tattooing is actually diversifying my art and exploring other mediums. Read More>>
Andrew Patch
When it comes to tattooing, I try to have a healthy balance of being prepared and impulsiveness. I’ve found that being over prepared can sometimes stifle some of the energy and creativity. When I’m painting, sometimes I’ll have no game plan, and just see what happens as I go. I try to incorporate that freedom into my tattooing whenever I’m able. Read More>>
Precious Jones
I keep my creativity alive by sketching all of my ideas so I can remember every creative idea I have. Learning more about things that expand my knowledge that bring forth my qualities and skills. By taking time out to do at least one thing that gives me joy each day will have a big effect on your mindset. That makes me feel nourished. Perfecting my craft nobody is perfect at what they do and I always believe in becoming a better me in my creativity by building my craft and working on my ideas. Read More>>
Greg Fortune
All aspects of creativity manifest in the mind. In order to keep my creativity alive, I consciously allow my mind to be free and open to possibilities and differing perspectives. I nurture my mind by dedicating time to asking questions and gaining knowledge to fuel critical thinking and creative thought. I do my best to protect my mind and imagination from harmful images, thoughts, depression and anxiety, realizing and accepting that suffering is a part of life. I also consider creativity to be a gift, and by believing in myself, my talents and abilities, my empathy and my purpose, I celebrate our Creator. Read More>>
Devin Duncan
When it comes to keeping my creativity alive my main intention is to remain authentic. Of course I utilize social media as a major part of my creativity as well, however too much social media influence can put a damper on your work as a creative. Some of my most successful drops within my clothing brand has been concepts that I was able to come up with off the dome. Read More>>
Ashley Watson
Creativity to me feels very divine. As much as I’d love to take credit for my talents. I feel that the music I make is downloaded from the energy of the universe. Everyday provides a new perspective on life or a new experience. Everyday will be a different song. Living life fuels my creativity. Each day gives an opportunity to funnel the energy I receive into music. Read More>>
Isabel Navarro
My creativity has always been in me since I was very young, I see the places, shapes and even colors from another perspective, that’s why I study architecture and I love creating not only spaces or products UniqueI am always inquiring about new techniques, machines and much more, to grow my business. Read More>>
Olivia Scott
I have to travel, often internationally and solo. Also, I wander a lot in my neighborhood or wherever I’m going.
I remain curious. I ask questions.
I engage with everybody….cab drivers, servers, the homeless, people in first class Read More>>
Jasmin Foster
When first launching Be Rooted, I wanted to bring that feel of expressive and bold products to stand out from the other kinds of color palettes you saw in the industry. We wanted to really to make sure that we were showing a breadth of skin tones, hair textures, and hairstyles while also showing a range of attitudes, moods, and aesthetics. Read More>>
Dennis Lawrence
I manage to keep my creativity alive by learning everyday from different people with different aspects. Also i try each and every day to think beyond of what i thought yesterday, learning from my mistakes and never run away from my Challenges. Work hard and learning pay it all. Read More>>
Annie Reyes
As an artist, my creativity thrives through a delicate balance of embracing diversity, cultivating curiosity, celebrating unconventional perspectives, finding solace in nature, engaging with other art forms, and finding profound inspiration in my faith in God. These elements weave together to create a vibrant tapestry of creativity, infusing my art with purpose, meaning, and a connection to something greater than myself. Read More>>
Leah Boresow Groover
Being a creative is one of my favorite parts about my life. But staying creative and inspired can certainly be challenging. Living in our world of paying bills, hustling, and constant auditions and networking, sometimes it truly is daunting to stay true to why you like being an artist in the first place. Read More>>
Josh singleton
Honestly creativity is about the main thing that drives me. Life can get you down and just beat you to the pulp but spending time making art and creating things brings a major joy to most people I know especially myself. Creating digital art is always very fun and something I can’t help but do at times. I just get an idea in my head and just throw it together and sometimes it works out well sometimes it doesn’t but the process is what honestly is the joyous part which I mean everyone should know that if you make art in any fashion. Read More>>
John R. Gentile
My creative source is nature. Being in the company of wild animals or in the presence of old growth trees is for me, an endless wellspring of inspiration. A big portion of my creativity stems from getting outside of myself. Engaging with wildlife, whether accompanying a familiar bobcat while she hunts in a local wetland or following a pod of bottlenose dolphins for hours and observing the social interactions between family members always puts me in my “Right Brain Space.” Read More>>
