Artists, how do you keep yourself motivated to work hard at your art?

Question

All my life, I wanted to paint and be a famous artist, or at least a self supporting artist who could make a living at it. Last winter worked my butt off so hard to get ready for an important arts festival, I had anxiety attacks and heart palpitation! It might sound twisted but I was proud of myself for that. The actual event was not outwardly successful though because I didn't sell a damn thing except some bracelets, but I learned a lot from other artists and I'm really happy with what I'm working on right now. I just don't understand why I seem to be dithering so much and can't seem to concentrate for more than half an hour at a stretch, even though I have another arts festival coming up fast and not a lot of free time to get ready, because I have to work full time in a store during the tourist season to make ends meet. I wonder if other artists go through times when you feel kind of blase about it, and how you pull yourself out of that.

Last winter was a let down because I usually sell a few paintings every year, and lots of prints.

Answer 1

Hi! And I hear you. First: Put your stuff aside. Get out your favorite things...the things that are forever.... that calm you.... make you smile and feel safe. Once you've got 'you' back... head out to a bookstore.. or a gallery.. or a library.. and start flipping through great works of art... or tear out photos from magazines or just colors that make you feel great! Just take a break.... get back to 'your place' .... and let everything go. There's a book by Julia Cameron that you might want to read... called 'The Artist's Way' ... as well as her silly and wonderful journal/workbook... She endorses writing in longhand.. 3 pages every morning... to unlock the blocks. It's incredible! The blocks just transport from your head to the page. Just remember..that you're in charge (not the block).... that you are amazing... you have so much to give.... you can do this.... you know you can..... I wish you so much good luck!

Answer 2

It sounds like you're a bit burned out. Try breaking up your habits a little. Art is certainly hard work, but if it seems like JUST work, something's not right: take a break, step back a little.

When I'm not being productive, I explore something new. Sometimes I try a new medium, or just read up on something I want to know more about. Diversifying my interests helps me become inspired in new ways. Remember, you don't have to make something to be productive. Just going for a long hike is productive, as long as it gets your mind working. If you keep your thoughts interesting, your art will follow. Art is a manifestation of a creative mind.

Answer 3

It's really hard not to get burnt out sometimes. I'm currently going to college for art, and I'm worried about getting burnt out. I'm taking three art classes, and each one is a three hour class, and I'm in class a lot more hours than most of my friends.

Take a day off and just think about it and remember why your doing it, what your goal is. Go to a gallery and look at some art if there is one near you, or go online and check out some images you really like. That inspires/rekindles me sometimes. Also for some reason tattoos and tattoo shows (Miami Ink, and the new L.A. Ink) inspire me for some reason. It might be because they have an idea and make it their own/ make custom stuff out of it.

Answer 4

Art is like any other activity and requires lots of training, developing skills, experimenting with ideas, challenging yourself and working at it as you would any other profession if you want to be a professional artist. It's not easy, nor should it be. That's the modern concept of art. You can do art just for yourself - that's different and often more personally satisfying but will not pay any bills - but even that has to be really worked at to develop techniques/skills. Good luck!