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.
Lin Jin
I keep my creativity alive by immersing myself in high-end projects, whether they are personal endeavors or commissioned work. These projects challenge me to think innovatively and push boundaries. What keeps me constantly inspired is the fact that I’m operating at the cutting edge of an emerging and fast-moving field. The pace of change and the opportunity to pioneer new ideas fuel my excitement and drive, making it impossible not to feel creative and energized. Additionally, I’m a big movie fan, and I particularly enjoy rewatching films. Each viewing experience offers me a different kind of inspiration, allowing me to see creative possibilities from new perspectives. Read more>>
Kaining Wang
Keeping creativity fresh and alive is not easy. And it is not something you can do by just staring at the computer or sitting in front of a chair. I constantly go out to absorb what nature and the world can offer me. I will go to museums, theatres, nature scenery or even do just a small walk on the streets. These will keep giving me visual and sensory stimulation. The world is a canvas of its own and it constantly gives me inspiration and offer me experiences. With all these in mind, I will always do sketches and paintings based on my observations in my own language, and that’s what makes us individuals unique. These are all the fuels that keep the momentum going but most of all, I constantly try to challenge myself designing and drawing things out of comfort zone. I always give myself different premises and combine random things together in a new way. This way I can truly broaden my perspective as well as keep my creativity evolving. Read more>>
Denzel Starks
For me, creativity is like a roaring flame—it needs fuel to keep burning. I stay inspired by immersing myself in experiences outside my comfort zone. I travel, I explore different forms of art, and I even pull inspiration from the smallest details, like the way Memphis moves on a Saturday night. I also make space to disconnect; sometimes, the loudest ideas come in the quietest moments. Creativity thrives when you feed it with curiosity, so I’m always learning, always evolving. And most importantly, I listen—whether it’s my clients’ visions or the whispers of my own intuition. Lionz Den has always been about boldness, and that boldness comes from staying true to a mindset of endless exploration. Read more>>
SHENNA
Being a creative for so many years can be a beautiful yet challenging battle because as you grow and evolve as an artist, the industry around you changes. I have been able to keep my creativity alive simply by always reminding myself why I started creating in the first place. It makes me the person I am today. I constantly draw inspiration by the people and atmosphere around me and genuinely make sure I am having fun while creating or else it comes off untrue. Read more>>
Alexis Hampton
Making cakes is equal parts science and creativity. So, while I can make a cake with my eyes closed (because I know science) creativity can wax and wane. I keep my creativity alive by waxing and waning with it. I don’t force myself to come up with new fresh ideas every time I step in the kitchen. Sometimes, tried and true flavors work just fine. I also make my orders heavily collaborative. I work one-on-one with customers to give them something personal. I ask them about their favorite foods or flavor combos and let my imagination fill in the gaps. Lastly, when I feel stuck, I use resources such as the Flavor Bible by Karen A. Page and Andrew Dornenburg. I find the main ingredient in the book and look through the list of ingredients pairing to make something I may not have thought of before. Read more>>
Mallison White
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had this inner desire to do something creative. I grew up as an only child so I remember many mornings waking up early and going downstairs to my play room to find something to preoccupy me. There’s only so much a child can do to preoccupy themselves before they get bored, so I quickly found excitement in creating something out of nothing. Whether it was using countless rolls of Scotch tape with construction paper or layering crayons, colored pencils, and markers to create my “art” pieces (like many children proudly do haha), I found easy distraction in all things art. Read more>>
Mahaly Baptiste
Creativity for me comes from searching deep within and exploring untapped imaginations. It’s about exploring innate and unexpected ideas that lie within us. But it is not just about personal expression; it’s about connecting with others. At Calen, we actively listen to the hearts and minds of our customers and create a brand that speaks to their desires. We communicate with customers to find out what intrigues them, what scents they like, what scents evoke joyous memories, and what scents fascinate them. These insights guide us to create products that are more than just candles. We create products that embody sensory experiences that meet expectations and preferences and truly resonate with our customers. Each creation is well crafted with precision designed to promote a sense of calm and relaxation for those who use them. Whether it’s specific scents for the holidays that capture cherished moments or seasonal scents that evoke nostalgia, our goal is to create unique and exciting products that are truly timeless. Read more>>
Andrea Lingle
Sitting down to write is an act of trust. Sometimes, when life is gentle and easy, I sit down with confidence, knowing that the words will flow like ink. No effort. No work. Just stepping into a preexisting river of words, scooping the right ones out, and arranging them in a tidy row. When I step back and consider the typeface row, I can see them glisten with the joy of vitality. This is when I know that writing is a conversation with creativity not something that I have to gut out of myself. I am not the source of this river, just a steward of it. Read more>>
Matt Austin
The best method I’ve found consists of several parts. Number one is being active in the scene. Going to see other musicians live or simply following them on social media to see where they are going and what they are doing. Watching a group or an individual going and doing the things I want to do or playing the venues I want to play is great motivation to keep driving for those goals. The second thing would be consistently spending time with my instrument and writing songs. Something about the idea of learning something new or writing something new and being able to share it with people that enjoy it and appreciate it really helps keep the gears turning. The third thing would be always trying to listen to new music. Hearing others projects that they poured their creativity and ideas into really helps to keep me on track with my own ideas. Read more>>
Joshica Kiah Craig
We draw inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including classic rock, soul, blues, and Americana. By exploring different styles and sounds, we continuously enrich our music, ensuring that our work remains fresh and captivating. This openness to diverse influences allows us to blend raw rock energy with soulful melodies, creating a sound that resonates with a broad audience. We also thrive on collaboration. Our creative process involves a constant exchange of ideas, where each brings our unique perspective and skills to the table. Dominique often gets inspiration from his dreams. He dreams of songs and lyrics. He initially learned how to play the guitar from his dreams and he continues to have a spiritual connection to his music. Read more>>
Daniel Vettorazi
I keep my creativity alive by actively seeking out and mastering emerging tools and technologies, often long before they become mainstream. For example, I began working with AI nearly a decade ago, positioning myself as a reference for peers and collaborators in the field when the AI boom occurred. This proactive approach ensures that I’m always at the forefront of innovation, driving projects that are both impactful and pioneering. Read more>>
Carter Bowden
I feel like this is a loaded question but I think the simplest and most honest answer I can give is I surround myself with people that are more talented than me! As a result, I’m constantly inspired to create and express myself. I love film, I love comics, I love stories, and I love drawing; but I also love surrounding myself with friends, family, and colleagues who are way more knowledgeable and experienced than me, because that keeps everything fresh. There’s something new to learn each day, there’s always a new perspective, a new angle, it allows me to be a sponge and from there I’m now inspired to create and also grow. Read more>>
Jessica Schulman
It’s always in the seconds after finishing a painting, something I’ve poured an immense amount of energy into, that I get the feeling I will never be creative again. I’ve come to accept that no matter how much art I’ve created in the past, there will always be a moment where it feels like my art production can only fit into a defined space. Getting over this hurdle is an exercise in faith really. I keep creativity alive because I have that blind belief in myself. I like to practice intentionally making bad art when I need to to take some of the pressure off. Sometimes this leads to something I actually like, but most often I just need to clear the cache in my brain to move forward. Read more>>
Louis Neira
Creativity thrives when you’re surrounded by inspiration! I stay creative by immersing myself in visuals that spark ideas—whether it’s from Instagram, travel, or everyday moments. Having an eye for design and an appreciation for aesthetic definitely helps bring everything together in a unique way! Read more>>
Melina Valeria Budek
Creativity is the core of my work, and I’ve learned that to keep it alive, I need to step outside the digital world and immerse myself in the richness of real-life experiences.
One of the ways I do this is through traveling. Visiting new places allows me to connect with different cultures, observe unique ways of life, and find beauty in the everyday moments of others. Whether it’s the colors of a local market, a conversation with a stranger, or the quiet elegance of an artisan’s craft, traveling continuously feeds my imagination and provides endless sources of inspiration.
I also draw creativity from people who might not be widely known but have a unique perspective or skill that adds value to the world. These individuals, whether they are artists, entrepreneurs, or even friends, remind me that creativity isn’t just about trends—it’s about authenticity and purpose. Read more>>
