Keeping Your Creativity Alive

Jamario Battle

Well, within this particular topic my creativity is a all-around experience. Meaning, that I’ll make nothing out of something when trying it out and figuring out the arch of it. So…I’m a DJ that’s been spinning records for about 14yrs now. I’m more of a blender/remixer when it comes to being on the turntables. I currently be on TikTok creating mashup songs. I guess with me making these mashup songs I feel that if anyone would listen to them…it’s a possibility that they can either remake or make their own dance routine to them. I’m just a humble, soulful guy that likes to DJ and create a new ambiance vibe within the atmosphere. Read More>>

Justin Loretangeli

It’s easy for me! I have so much respect for what singers and songwriters do. I’ve tended to put them on a pedestal because of how much I admire the way that my favorite songs have made me feel. As I’ve transitioned into being “music media,” I’ve always taken the responsibility of sharing an artist’s music and story very seriously. I never saw it as a path I could take. Even today, I still get butterflies before every interview I do. I don’t take anything that’s happened with Pro Country over the last six years for granted. In fact, my love for music has only intensified over the years, and it’s that love that keeps my creative flame burning and keeps me on the hunt for great music and stories to share! Read More>>

Dontrell “ArTrell “ Jackson

Well in the words of the Great Andre 3000 “ If I’m not creating then I don’t feel good “ and this is a statement I truly believe in for myself so if I’m not painting when I really want to then what I am doing, I feel I’ll be wasting timeIf you want informal then you definitely need to see my art because it’s rare it’s different than most paintings but it’s beautiful. I use techniques that normally are not used in painting because it’s hard but that doesn’t scare me , I love the challenge and I push myself to be better in every new painting. I also try to make as much content as possible, I always find that time to paint around my work schedule and life schedule but I’m always going to create. The ArTrell Experience is something that is new and is basically a tour around California and hopefully next the country that displays all my paintings in hand and prints of some most famous paintings make sure you stay on the lookout for the dates of those experience Art shows it may be near you, July and August are the next two. Read More>>

Davon Smith

Social media has changed my life for the better in many ways. One way I stay creative Is with the help of my community. I am able to remain motivated and engaging, thanks to so many people who help make our online spaces awesome. When my channels are live, people from all parts of the world come together to create an entertaining time for everyone. Another way I am able to stay creative is focusing on a subject you’re truly passionate about. You can find so many ways to enjoy something you love. Others that view my posts, also express interest and we all benefit from shared knowledge in the comments. That makes creating content, very fun! Read More>>

Shardai Thompson

One of the ways I been able to keep my creativity is, I simply learn new things. Im always trying a new way to improve my skills/talents.My name is Shardai Thompson and I’m from Houston, Texas I’m a Interior Designer/Painter by trade and an artist by nature. When I’m not working on projects, I’m creating new ways to expand my business and services, or making canvas art using paint, resin and drywall. I have a real love for the tactility of visual beauty and I try to bring that specific effect to my work as well. I love what I do and I plan on expanding my craft further in the very near future. I’m currently launching a new website with updates to our brand, logo, products and services. Read More>>

James Hernandez

Creativity comes and goes for me. Sometimes I need to take a step back and do different things besides picking up my camera. If I am looking for something interesting to pursue, grabbing a photo-book can really spark it for me. Road-trips help me go along and visualize the world to see different people when pursing photo projects or an idea that comes along in my head. Music really helps me cool down my thoughts and put things into perspective for me as a photographer. Read More>>

Emily Barbe

My profession is in financial planning, and while it is considered the ‘soft side’ of the finance industry, I’m still buried in spreadsheets, numbers, and analyses on a daily basis. However, I feel that I am a very creative person, so I have sought outlets inside of my career within the confines of our heavy regulatory environment as well as outside of my day job. My biggest creative outlet and avenue for keeping my artistic affinity alive is my wedding and event venue that I started with my husband as a passion project. The venue stretches my imagination, causes me to think of creative solutions before, during, and after events, and allows me to express my creativity through our advertising and community outreach platforms. Spending time outside in our venue, which is filled with thousands of vibrant tropical plants, and unplugging on trips and activities with my family and friends are two ways I continually replenish my creative juices. Read More>>

Tatianna W.

When I find myself having creators block I look to my art for inspiration. In my spare time I enjoy painting and mixing different colors to create new. I find that painting is also very therapeutic for me and is one of my many self care rituals. Using my color techniques from my canvas to incoprorate them into what eyeshadows I use on myself or a client. The outcome is always beautiful. Read More>>

Joshua Hanson

One of the best ways I keep my creativity alive is by exploring the art and music around me. I try to dive into artists or genres I don’t normally listen to with regularity. Your art is an expression of the world around you. I find it helps keep my art fresh as well. So, if I am not experiencing different types of art/genres I feel like my creativity begins to feel stale. Read More>>

Aarohi Allegre

Connecting with my inner-self and inner-child has also been my go to as well as practicing mindfulness and meditation. Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain smells, lights of the day and fleeting sounds. I love being outside & in nature, which I’ve been doing a lot lately. I’ve been getting so many warm reminders of the days I used to play in the sun. There isn’t a single instance that I can think of where my personal growth was not proceeded by pain this year. I learnt the importance of independence and solitude. And the importance of loving and nurturing myself. I learnt being gentle, kind, accepting and forgiving are not acts of weakness, but expressions of self-confidence, self-awareness and love. Instead of blaming myself for being so sensitive I became thankful that i have the ability to feel deeply in a world of cruelty that lacks empathy. Read More>>

LaDestinee Williams

Pinterest, hashtags, Youtube! I really take some time socially and scroll through ideas, photography, inspiration boards etc.. to find creativity. As a small business owner, there are days were it’s overwhelming to be creative and have validation. So personally, I like to vision things before I complete them. Read More>>

DeShaun Jay

Well personally, I let life inspire my music. Whether it’s a feature, Phone Calls track, or I’m just rapping to rap I always pull from my past experiences or whatever I may be going through if I ever have an issue deciding where I want to go with a song I’m working on. Read More>>

Hailing Liu

I have a very sensitive and curious personality which keeps nurturing my creativity. I like building up imaginary world in my mind since I was young, and I do realize myself having strong desire to express something all the time. As a visual artist and animator, living in my own life and feeling the experience carefully give me lots of inspiration. I turn these real-life experience into something imaginary through my artwork. Aside from personal observation in real life, I think building connections with other creatives, seeing what other people are doing, finding creative community is also very important to stimulate creativity. It helps to see diverse perspectives from others especially when I immerse too much in my head! Read More>>

Suzie Hinds

Observation, Imagination and curiosity! Yes! I’m the person who will watch you and all around you. Ask questions, sometimes about weird things and topics. Take walks in nature to discover the smallest fragment of life, close my eyes and feel the breeze. Imagine, then develop what I see, feel and touch into something magical. Read More>>

Xiao He

That’s a very good question. I think every artist struggles more or less with keeping creativity alive. There are always days that don’t feel right, days when the drawings just look awkward.

I find looking at art books to be a great help. I always have art history books and catalogs around me. Sometimes I just flip through them when I don’t know what to draw. Or open up a good film and draw from it. Read More>>

Shindreia Chase

Keeping creativity alive is the process of relearning myself and introducing the new versions of me to my past. It requires an effort of some sort once I have noticed that creativity has left.

I will be honest and admit that sometimes I just have to let it die, with hopes that it will reincarnate in congruency with my goals and life at the moment. My key to welcoming the reincarnation of creativity is love and patience for self. As a healing and recovering people pleaser, and often victim to societal induced imposter syndrome, my streak of creativity and push were pummeled by other people thoughts and feelings. My creativity and keeping it alive requires me to feed myself positive reinforcers, whether that listening to my favorite mood curated playlists, creating art in my photography, or creating conversation with those who inspire and understand me. Then there are the times where I have no clue on how to welcome that new creative energy. So together we just frolic through life and let things flow. Which I am very happy to say that I have leaned more into that energy, it is such a healing practice for my confidence and creativity. I truly believe the life presents the topic for my new chapter, I just have to learn to submit. Read More>>

Kassidy Gaston

I keep my creativity alive in a lot of different ways. Mainly by letting my inner child run wild. I still color, I do puzzles, I read fiction and still watch cartoons. On top of curating my social media feed to things I truly enjoy. Any chance I get to escape the real world and let my imagination run free I let it. Read More>>

Robin Litrenta

As a photographer I am drawn to light and emotions and find inspiration all around me. When I watch movies I notice how light is used to help convey emotions and add to the mood of a scene. I study paintings, especially the impressionists who used light to convey a fleeting moment, as well as the Dutch masters whose paintings included deep tones and strong directional light to help tell a story. One thing I regularly do is go on photo walks. I recently grabbed a photographer friend for a few fun hours doing creative photography at our local county fair. We used prisms, copper coiled sponges and a few other items in front of our lenses to create cool effects in camera and played around with slow shutter speed effects. Read More>>

Jessica Lynn

I’ve always been a creative person. So when I’m feeling burnt out I usually try to find another hobby that allows me to be creative in other ways. When it starts feeling like a job, I’ll step back and work on something else. Read More>>

Agata Uminska

Definetly being architect in such a big city as New York, where I am currently working helps keep my creativity alive. I think the first encounter of a passion is a discovery, followed by a lifetime of interest development. Be open and willing to keep learning new things and working on a passion, challenging projects. Each of us has their own facets of the profession that truly inspire and motivate them.
Have a growth mindset I think that is the key! Read More>>

EK Darkurai

As a music artist, producer, and mixing engineer, maintaining creativity is crucial. First for most, Constant Learning is very important, technology, techniques, and styles in music production are continuously evolving. I need to stay updated and learn new skills to keep your creativity alive. Also try producing different kinds of music, experimenting with new sounds, rhythms, and techniques. Constant experimentation can lead to new creative insights and ideas. Next thing is collaborating with other musicians, producers, and engineers can expose me to new perspectives, techniques, and ideas that can spark my creativity. From co-producing tracks, to playing in a band, to collaborating on a mix and etc. Read More>>

Cameron Gray

The best way that I keep my creativity alive is to never be satisfied. I’ve reached a level in my career where a lot of people may not work as hard and begin to go with the flow, but not me. I work extremely hard at staying in the loop with which celebrities are popular at the time and working out brand deals with them. As well as, pulling ideas from pop culture for my creative branding shoot ideas. Read More>>

Samantha Cauchy

For me, keeping that creative spark shining comes down to life balance. In more recent years, my creativity has been riding high because I am giving myself the proper rest and self care. I am saying yes to the things I love outside of art and creating in my studio. I am investing in myself through bodywork, picking up a book when it calls, getting outside and moving everyday, being confident in my boundaries and saying no to what does not spark excitement. Read More>>

Chyna Krystelle

I keep my creativity alive by finding art in everything around me. I draw inspiration from nature, cartoons, friends & family, amongst other things I grew up being known as a Pastor’s kid. I got tired of being known for just that. People would know me in a distance because of how I dressed and it always got back to my dad. I’ve always dressed weirdly ever since high school. When I got to college, I started expressing myself more. Fashion has always been an outlet for me. It makes me feel like I can be whoever, whenever I wanted to. People would compliment me about how I dress and told me I should start modeling. That’s where the model in me was born. I’ve always been shy but it’s my way of stepping outta my comfort zone. And this was the birth of “YourFavNoLabel.” (2007) Because I was tied of being labeled as a PK or Weird or whatever, so I just didn’t want to be labeled anymore. Read More>>

Jewel Coles Alyssa Potter

Creativity. As a small, minority, lgbt, & women owned business, we built our brand with a mission to discover a creative and expressive hub. That hub allows us to express our creativity in many different ways. Initially, Good News Threads mainly focused on upcycling thrifted apparel by bleaching and distressing. As our brand evolved, we found ourselves in rooms with other creatives and expressing our creativity in new ways that was more than just creating clothes. Photography and videography became a huge part of our creative expression and we started sharing photos we took of other creatives and making content on social media. This led to other opportunities such as personal assistance on a Hulu documentary set and creative assistance for multiple music videos. Our key to keeping creativity alive is simple. Stay creative. If you find yourself getting bored with one way of expressing your creativity, switch it up. It doesn’t matter what media you decide to express your creativity with, but if you’re a creative at heart, then find ways to create. Read More>>

Denise Peise

I have always been a creative person. It is something that lives inside of me. I couldn’t stop creating if I tried. I don’t think that I can suppress it. It is inherent and habitual like brushing my teeth or combing my hair. Nature inspires me. The movement of leaves blowing on the trees, birds singing, a babbling brook. Sights and sounds around me are an endless fountain of inspiration. Read More>>

Candice Cherry

Creativity for me is always an ongoing process, and for those who know me I’m always bouncing ideas off of my friends and family. I surround myself with passionate and creative people who are hard-working and determined to help me pursue my dreams. Throughout the years my customers have given me some of the best ideas and support, and I’ve learned not to be afraid of new ideas and take risk . I believe some of my greatest ideas have come to me when I least expected them. My wish is to continue to add a little sparkle wherever we go! Read More>>

Ayeshia Smith

I keep my creativity alive through everyday life experiences, visiting museums, traveling, and honesty keeping my inner child alive because that is where the vision all started. What I mean by that is always having an optimistic outlook and maintaining a healthy imagination which allows the creativity to flow. Read More>>

Raven Cornwall

As a Makeup Artist it’s important to be creative and learn new techniques. I keep my creativity alive by taking online makeup courses to keep up with the latest trends and utilizing my resources such as watching YouTube, TikTok and Instagram to learn from other creatives. Read More>>

Jen D. Rodriguez

I have a strong visual sense. I enjoy studying nature, colors and textures, repetitive objects, and conversing. All of these things help to keep my creativity alive and flourishing. My ideas frequently come to me in my dreams, and I repeat them to myself until I wake up to write them down. I generally keep 3-4 journals nearby, including one in my purse, because I’m always writing or scribbling things like dialogues for books, sketches for plating or menu ideas, yard plans (I’ve been designing our backyard for over 10 years now – it’s an ongoing effort), ideas for T-shirts or quotes. Almost anything that comes to mind. Because I’m a creative person, anything is possible.
Of course, it can be difficult to switch off at times. That’s the difficult part. Read More>>

Jamie Nichols

Wow! What a great question.! As a dancer, movement teacher, choreographer and dance producer it is critical to stay inspired and creative.
I find inspiration from many places and will begin from a teacher’s POV.
My students inspire my vision in the studio, their energy and desire to move gives me the mental strength to take risks and dive deep into new concepts. To engage their creativity and get them to believe in their own potential. My students give me their hearts allow me to create new and challenging movement stories. It is important to take risks. Read More>> 

Toshihiro Iwasaki

I believe that creating a natural environment that fosters creativity is crucial for maintaining one’s creative mindset. It is important to break free from the confines of the office and seek new sources of inspiration. Attending automotive events can be a fantastic way to explore various genres of automobiles and broaden one’s perspective. Developing a balanced appreciation for different types of vehicles, including classic cars, supercars, EVs, and outdoor vehicles, can greatly stimulate one’s creativity. Moreover, we proactively participate in non-automotive events, such as technology, music, fashion, food, interior design, and art. Exposing ourselves to diverse cultural and professional domains also exposes us to fresh insights and ideas. The fusion of different cultures is yet another exciting catalyst for creativity. By combining elements from various cultural backgrounds and artistic expressions, one can generate novel ideas and gain unique perspectives. Read More>>

Kirsten Sandlin

I’m still learning how to keep it alive! I think that I have always had a creative mindset, but have discovered in my adulthood that surrounding myself with other creative, inspired people keeps me going. I began pursuing art as a teenager, in art classes and as a hobby, but I did not make it a career until decades later. I began in graphic design before Photoshop was a household name, and after many years as a graphic design artist, my experience with pixelation led me to paint needlepoint canvases for a local store. I eventually opened my own wholesale company selling canvases to stores all around the country, but my love for painting expanded beyond my business. When I first started participating in Paint Memphis, an annual mural festival that brings in hundreds of artists from around the world, I was not sure if I belonged. Although I was already designing and painting, I did not feel as talented as renowned muralists. Read More>>

Alison Clancy

I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity lately so this question feels right on time.

1) For me as a woman, every day is different in terms of my capacity and what I can handle or generate. Being okay with that is Step #1.

2) The next step is getting really in tune with your body. What does inspiration feel like to you? What excites you? Is it butterflies in your stomach? Do your eyes get wide and your heart beats fast? I know I’m inspired when it feels like lightning is coursing through my veins. Read More>>

Tabitha Gazelle

Going to art museums, events, research on my favorite site Pinterest and being around those who are creative like me.I’m a seamstress that’s created her own lane with fashion and entertainment. I started off as a model but my love for clothing took over. Created my clothing line called Tabitha Gazelle to having my very own festival called Afro Fashion Festival presented by TG really put me in a position to help others, giving them a platform to showcase their creativity. The festival took place on June 23rd-25th 2023. A 3day weekend giving models, designers, photographers and the beauty industry a place meet and network or possibly work together in the future. Now “Tabitha” Gazelle LLC, this comes from Acts 9:36-42 which explains how her touched so many people by her marvelous designs. My mitts states I WILL TOUCH 1B or MORE and that’s my GOAL with GOD as the head of everything. Read More>>

Apeksha & Aakriti

Creativity and motivation honestly comes in waves for many, including us. But what we have found the most helpful is to sometimes just allow ourselves to step back. Step back from the to-do list and never ending tasks that it takes to run a business (and life in general). Allowing ourselves to live and indulge in the present moment and truly, I mean truly live them. Creativity comes from exploring a new place, a new taste. Simply observing what makes a moment priceless. It helps us come back to the value we hope to bring with TGP and how we can be creative in helping curate these moments for others. Read More>>

Daivion Crawford

Keeping my drive alive is a challenge at times. Every genius reaches a point where they feel like unispired or burnt out. But the best way to keep that hunger is to just simply remember why you started in the first place. That past you grew exponentially , you’d be suprised at how much you’ve grown in aspects and areas that was lacking before. Sometimes I might just take a walk to get fresh air and get inspired, hangout with my family, or just spend some alone time and let the creative thoughts come to me. Read More>>

Carlos Ku King

Give yourself a break. There have been a lot of times where I felt burned out, and kept pushing for the sake of finishing a project I felt needed to be finished; unsurprisingly, I was not happy with the results. If you have the means to take a breather, and disconnect from projects for a while, do it. One thing I do when I go through a creative rut is take on a hobby, or go do something that is completely unrelated to my field. Read More>>

Harold Wang

The way I keep my creativity alive is by trying new things.I work as a character FX artist for Movies and TV series. Different from what most people will think of the Visual Effect like explosions, water, and destruction. Character FX artists specialize in creating FX on clothing, hair, and muscle for characters. If you have ever thought of a character from an animation with static hair and clothing that must be really disappointing. Read More>>

Remy Zurita

Our creativity is always alive at Hopnonymousbrewing. Creativity is actually part of our DNA, we are a very small brewery production wise but we are embracing this as a Forte. Staying small allows us to having fun with new creations on a weekly bases. Every Friday we release a new beer which could be a brand new recipie or a beer that we know had great success in the past that we want to bring back to our community. Having consistently new beers on tap allows our team to keep having fun while we keep our customers’s curiosity going: an excellent way to keep everyone excited! Read More>>

Mark Omlor

For me, keeping creativity alive starts with giving your mind variety. You can’t be too rigid in your ways or you start giving yourself excuses to stay in a monotonous pattern. Listen to different genres of music in a day, explore new spots in your city, try a new hobby – there are many ways to break a mundane that cycle that have helped my creativity a lot. Read More>>

Philomena Melton

Constantly learning! I feel my creativity is at an all time high when I am in the midst of learning a new skill or learning a new bit of magic about our beautiful world . Being immersed in nature all the time keeps my mind teaming with creative ideas . It’s hard not to be inspired when you are staring a big eyed fluffy moth with magical fairy-esq wings in the face , or watching the complete metamorphosis of the most incredibly iridescent butterflies! Insects are truly an otherworldly beauty ! I feel immense gratitude to be able to watch these beautiful creatures and to be consistently learning from and being inspired by them ! Read More>>

Lola Yiting Zhang

Nurturing creativity is akin to tending a vibrant, ever-evolving garden; it involves continuous cultivation, nourishment, and care. My creative vitality is sustained by my insatiable curiosity and a deep sense of wonder towards the world. I feed my imagination a rich diet of varied observations and experiences, consistently challenging myself to view the world through different lenses. Read More>>

Shiren Rattigan

One of the greatest challenges we face as creatives is the constant expectation to be in a state of creativity at all times. However, it is important for us to recognize that we need to quiet the self-saboteur and our ego in order to make room for other aspects of our lives. It is unrealistic to believe that we will always be in a creative mindset, and it is crucial for our well-being to find balance. When I find myself not feeling creative, I have learned to embrace and focus on other areas of my life that contribute to my overall sense of fulfillment. This means allowing myself to step away from the creative process and engage in activities that make me feel more complete. These activities could involve spending quality time with my family, tending to the administrative tasks of my business, or pursuing other interests that bring me joy. Read More>>