Artists tend to think visually and daydream. Do you look at random shapes and see faces? You’re not alone. Do you stare too long at something analyzing the light and shapes. Yep.

You might also find some of the following true.

1. When you have money for expensive brushes… it’s not for makeup brushes.

2. You occasionally (or not so occasionally) use your pastels for eye makeup.

3. You describe colors in terms of Vermillion, Sienna, Prussian… for starters.

4. You keep old calendars for inspiration and ‘just in case you need an idea.’

5. You’d rather draw/paint then talk.

6. You stare too long at something because your caught up in the negative spaces.

7. You ask for extra napkins at the restaurant, just because you might need something to capture your immediate thoughts on.

8. You love to smell ink and markers.

9. When you dig at the bottom of your purse, your fingers end up with color on them.

10. When your cat really needs attention it knows to lay down on your drawing.

11. You don’t think twice about spending money on pencils, but balk at $5 for a coffee.

12.You find yourself staring too long at someone because your figuring out their proportions
.

13. Your in a meeting smiling because you just had a interesting visual that has nothing to do with anything that is being said.

14. You go to a restaurant and want to save the packaging or menu for future reference.

15. You can’t help but follow the shadows objects make.

16. Getting a perfectly sharp pencil is pure perfection.

17. The idea of having a day all to yourself is bliss.

18. You fantasize about your coworker… but on how to capture their likeness.

19. Watching clouds and the shapes is much more interesting than a movie.

20. You’ve eaten blades of grass to see what the color green taste like.

21. You collect random objects for inspiration.

22. You can’t stand to throw away blank paper.

23. You love to touch a blank canvas… and open a new tube of paint!

24. Time stands still when your in the zone…. hours pass and your surprised.

25. You enjoy observing crowds from the sidelines.

26. Wherever you go you have a sketchbook.

27. You never know when you’ll have a smudge of paint or graphite on your clothes, face or elbows.

28. When you meet another artist it’s like meeting a long lost family member.

29. Your still fascinated with a box of crayons.

30. You would choose to work on art rather than sleep.

What about you? What’s your giveaway?

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Other perceptive quotes he wrote include “The thing of course is to make yourself alive. Most people remain all of their lives in a stupor.” And “The object of art is not to make salable pictures. It is to save yourself.”

Very acute and deep and what does this mean and does it apply to today?

Being an artist, musician, writer, dancer, any of the expressive gifts are a visible reflection of deep thoughts, feelings, desires, beliefs and they are a gift.

Everyone, I believe, has something inside themselves that can be expressed through a healthy creative outlet. Your own personal treasure is to discover your creative gift and nurture it.

Making Art Helps Heal the Soul

So why take the time to tap into your inner creative person? The transformation effects are not entirely rational. However studies have shown that individuals take their obsession, grief, pain and hope and try to turn it into something. This ‘making’ may not result in a cure but it is ultimately healing.

The arts reduce stress. And the more in touch a person becomes through creative expression the more wholeness they experience. Strange as it may seem, it’s true.

This inspirational video, “Can Art Be Medicine” from the Foundation For Art & Healing, explores the topic of the arts and wholeness.

The arts have always had a place in cultures around the world and is an ‘unofficial’ form of medicine. Creative expression has an undeniable power and quite possibly can improve our health. Creative engagement brings us into the moment and puts us in touch with who we are, it helps us get unstuck and it helps us move forward. Art can bridge the gap between the conscious and the unconscious mind.

Incredibly, art therapy can help Dementia patients not only find an inner peace but can also stimulate locked away and forgotten memories. I remember better when I paint is a moving video that follows one story of an elderly man who when asked to draw Honolulu, drew a warship with “Destroyer” on its bow. He was drawing a very clear memory he had from his days serving our country. A memory that painting had unlocked. Other amazing stories and studies are also shown on this video below.

Live More Aware and Express Yourself!

So what is the point of being an artist or finding the artist within yourself? The point is to live – live more aware, express yourself, nurture your spirit through the things you make! Creativity and expression can be a powerful gift in your life.

The post “The Point of Being An Artist Is That You May Live…” appeared first on Art and Design Inspiration.

Those who “teach” themselves art can understandably become frustrated, particularly as a beginner. You have a bit of skill, you realize that – but how do you nurture your talent and bring out the real “artist” in you? Whether you paint landscapes in watercolor, still life works in oil or acrylic, or love abstract works of art, sometimes it’s easy to feel as though you have reached your limit in terms of your skill or imagination.

However, as an artist did you know that there really is no limit when it comes to creative, imaginative, and beautiful art? You can learn to “hone” your skills and grow as an accomplished self-taught artist.

1. Your Mindset – Give Yourself Permission

To hone in on your skills, first hone in on believing you can. Self-doubt is the biggest quencher of creativity. Artists are sensitive and harder on themselves. It’s easy to give up when you don’t believe in your work. Don’t let the fear of other people’s judgement stop you from creating your work. Judgement ties in with self-doubt. Give yourself permission, sometimes you can’t wait for the people in your life to give you the approval.

2. Don’t compare your work with other artists.

Sure, it seems almost impossible to do. You see other people’s works of art and are amazed at their talent. You cruise Instagram looking at the talent of artists throughout the world and you feel… “name your feeling“.

You are an individual, so your work should reflect your own skill, talent, and creativity. Other artists’ work can inspire you and give you ideas, but never look at others’ work and let it make you feel inferior. As artists, we never ever stop growing in regards to our skills, talent, and learning – it’s an ongoing process. Don’t stop!

3. Focus.

In a busy world, it’s easy to get distracted. Sometimes you look at a blank canvas or paper, and you think that’s as far as you will get. Disconnect from distractions, sit and relax your mind; block out everything else, focus on the energy of what you are creating – This is the power of art.

Let your creative juices flow, and when they begin, don’t hold back! Put those beautiful colors on the canvas and let it lead where it may.

4. Keep it simple.

When you are in the beginning phase and just starting to develop your talent, stick with one or two media such as watercolor or charcoal. Start with a simple subject, and don’t even attempt a project that’s really intense or complex, such as painting a huge panorama depicting horses, meadows and spicy colored woolen blankets.

You should start simple, drawing or painting fruits, bowls, water pitchers, and other things that are really basic. As you master the most basic, you can build out and begin adding shadows, light, and other elements that give your work dimension. Eventually you will find yourself painting the most complex art works that seem to come alive on the canvas, filled with texture, shadows, light, color – life!

5. Gratitude: Feel blessed for the talent you have been given.

Not everyone has the ability to create art, and not everyone can even learn it with someone else teaching. If you have been blessed with artistic ability, be happy with doing your personal best, and know that studying your favorite artists’ works and practice will take you to new levels that will excite and inspire you!

Honing your skills when you’re an artist is a process that continues forever; be inspired, be motivated, and most of all let your art reflect yourself and your passion!

You Might Find these Articles Helpful:

Am I good enough: Beyond Fear
Is this you? Common Traits of Artists
Essential Tips for Keeping your skills and Life in Order
Getting Paid what your worth – How do you value your work?

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Some say artists have their head in the clouds.

Do artists have their heads in the clouds? Yes, and it’s a world that never gets boring. However to the outsider, artists may not seem to be paying attention, but artists are very aware (hyper aware in fact) of everything – innuendos, and how things look, taste, sound, feel and smell. Often analyzing or noticing shapes, patterns, colors, expressions and more, artists have a strong appreciate for aesthetics and heightened senses and intuition.

High Expectations

The artist personality types have strong feelings about ‘what’s right’, personal values and strive to consistently meet the expectations they set for ourselves; often these expectations are high and unattainable which can make artists frustrated or depressed.

Personal and Creative Space

Artist types need more personal space than other types. They can often be seen as reserved and difficult to know, however at heart they are very sensitive and loyal to those they let in. Not only is personal needed, an inspiring creative space for creating work is essential. Even if the space is a small corner in a room, it can be motivating. Take a look at our article on how to create the ideal art space.

Because they absorb so much of the world around them, they may appear standoffish. But they are not, they are just somewhere else.

The challenge for the artist is to have ‘thinking and creating’ space. When artists don’t get enough personal space they become scattered, unproductive and moody.

Meaning Seekers

Artists tend to take life very seriously. Sure there are carefree and lighthearted days but overall life is serious business. They seek meaning in even the most mundane tasks. If an artist can’t find meaning or inspiration in anything in their life, sometimes this can result in depression.

Artists are like explorers, constantly gathering specific information and shifting it through their value systems, in search for clarification and underlying meaning.

Critical

The Achille’s heel of the artist is personal criticism. The artists worst enemy is himself. Their strong value systems can lead them to be intensely perfectionist, and cause them to judge themselves with unnecessary harshness. This personal criticism leads to more anxiety, more criticism and it becomes a vicious circle. They don’t give themselves enough credit for what they do well.

The artist type can find more peace and fulfillment if they can come to the understanding and acceptance that not everything they create has to be perfect. To take on the motto “good enough” can be freeing.

Challenges

Life is not likely to be extremely easy for the artist types of people in the world. Because they can tend to take life seriously and they deal with personal criticism and insecurities. Some artist types struggle with depression, anxiety, addictions and more.

Strengths

As thinkers and vision seekers with visionary and intuition gifts, artists can solve problems in creative ways. Though they might not be the most vocal one on a work related team, they will be the doer on the team. Most artistic people are highly disciplined and gifted with superior powers of concentration – almost to the point of obsessiveness. Because of this level of concentration they are capable of producing great quantities of high quality work; however they also enjoy frequent periods of recreation and inactivity. To those they care deeply about they are loyal to the end and also generous. They are also very sympathetic and can be idealists on one hand trying to fix the woes of the world. They have a strong desire to please and show their love through actions rather than words.

Artists are interested in contributing to people’s sense of well-being and happiness, and will put a great deal of effort and energy into tasks which they believe in.

Wired differently?

A study has found that artists have structurally different brains compared with non-artists. Participants’ brain scans revealed that artists had increased neural matter in areas relating to fine motor movements and visual imagery. This study* suggests that structural brain differences in relation to expertise have been demonstrated in visual perception, spatial navigation, complex motor skills and musical ability. Bottom line, practice makes perfect and changes the structure of your brain.

Understanding Artists

Out of all the personality types, most artists are not people manipulators and are not the sales type of people and they don’t like superficial things. In their world there is a drive to create and express non-verbally, find daily meaning, have independence and personal space and contribute to the things they believe deeply in.

Sources
Artists have different brains compared with non-artists according to this study.

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When you finally do come up for air, your aware of the isolation that is a by-product of the creative process.

The creative process, for the most part is a solo one and if you’re an artist or writer I’m sure you understand this.

You have to have a level of isolation to get lost into your thoughts, vision and fantasy and express this without interruption.

How many creators can actually create in a public setting where there is an invasion of your thoughts and personal space?

I believe the creative process becomes an Achilles’ heel from the perspective of loneliness. The time alone that is needed most to create and produce is also the thing that makes me feel lonely from time to time.

I need quiet; to be alone, to reflect with no interruption. But it’s also lonely.

So what can one do?

First, don’t judge yourself and compare.

Second, The awareness of your limits is important. Don’t let yourself get lost in lonely thinking. Step outside the comfort zone and find others you can relate to.

Third, embrace the feelings. We all get into the place of feeling lonely. Don’t let it define you. As a creator know that you have the power (and everyone does) to create your own reality. What you believe, you become. Keep your work balance in check with your social life.

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Does this statement or thought hold you back?

“When I am good enough I will…”

• Do more artwork
• Show my artwork to other’s
• Participate in an art show
• Send my artwork to a contest
• Go to art school

Self-doubt is one of the dark places for artists. The inner critic takes over and tells you “who do you think you are?”. “Look at your work compared to THEIR work, they are better, stop now”, “insert your critical comment here”.

It may never feel like the right time to jump in 100% and be vulnerable. You have to take the risk, stop listening to your inner critic and give yourself permission to go new places with your art, even if you don’t feel ready. I don’t think any creative person ever feels truly ready to step out and be seen.

Stepping out can feel so vulnerable when art is so personal.

Will you give me permission? As a child did you show your work to a parent or peer and look for validation? “You’re a good artist”, “Wow, you’re talented”, “You should become an artist.”

It’s time to stop asking for permission. Give yourself permission and you will be empowered.

Beyond Judgement. As you let go of self doubt, comparisons and approval seeking, you can move beyond the feelings of judgement. Self-judgement, self-doubt and the fear of not being good enough are deep pits that keep creativity stifled.

The What Ifs. But what if no one likes my work? What if they judge me? What if they gossip? What if I’m rejected?

We need to face the worry head on. Stop focusing on the fear and focus the process of doing the work and the self-discovery it brings.

If you’re doing what truly makes you happy the reward will be so much more than the fear of what if.

What if you go to new places as an artist and new doors open to adventures you’ve never dreamed of? It’s all worth it.

Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished?
Yes; work never begun.
–Christina Rossetti

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Sometimes it’s the expectation and pressure we put on ourselves to ‘make’ something great right then and there and other times it’s perhaps a season. Inspiration isn’t found, the creative energy is lost.

How do you get rid of the artist block? Here are a few tips that may help:

1. Work on one idea at a time. When artists are flooded with ideas it becomes difficult to focus and complete a project. As an artist you have lots of ideas and visuals floating around in your imagination. Write them all down… and then commit to ONE. Start it and see it through.

2. Get outside of your schedule. To be inspired you need fresh inspiration. Take the needed time to explore the things you enjoy. More importantly as you explore don’t put pressure on yourself to ‘come up with an idea”. Just be in the moment. However, do carry a sketch book if inspiration strikes!

3. Take care of yourself! Seems basic, however it’s easy to neglect your body, emotional and spiritual needs. Take time to exercise. Take a nap, yes, hard to let it all go when your deep in a project however a cat nap can really help energize your creative flow.

4. Let of of fear. Most artists are perfectionists and are their own worst critic. The “what if” scenario can play over and over in your mind when you feel insecure about your work. The root is fear. Let it go. Do your best to make the art that is relevant to you and stand behind it. Others will too.

What do you do when you have artist block?

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