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Cultivating Artistic Inspiration

10/29/2020

10 Comments

 
Do you ever wonder how to keep the inspiration going when you feel just a little creatively dry?  A lot of people struggle with that, and I am going to dive into this subject and give you some real help on how to keep the inspiration flowing. 

You know, we have all been in this situation, right?  You get into the studio, and creatively you just hit a wall. Inside you are like, "I've got nothing!  No inspiration!  Nothing is flowing here! What's going on?" As artists, isn't being creative what we are supposed to do anywhere and at any time?  Yet somehow, we all have found ourselves in this place, but the good news is none of us have to stay there.

Fill Your Well
As artists, we all create from the inspiration that we're continually collecting, cultivating, and curating in what I like to call our Creative Well. Think of your "Well" as an internal reservoir that frequently needs to be filled so that it is always ready to release a fresh flow of inspiration when you need it. 

I was first introduced to the concept of an 'inner well' of creativity in Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. As I have explored this concept more deeply over the years, the Holy Spirit began to bring me more revelation about how inspiration works, how it's discovered, held and nurtured within is.

This well holds the inspiration we collect, cultivate, and curate throughout our lives. Think of your "well" as an internal reservoir that needs to be refilled frequently so it is always ready to release a fresh flow of inspiration when you need it.  Central to my understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves over all the inspiration we so into our heart and mind, allowing us to co-labor with Him in the creative process. As we are continually filled with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) both personally and artistically, we create from a place of overflow.

A common mistake is to assume that your creative well is just going to fill itself. In reality, you have got to be as intentional about cultivating inspiration as you do about creating the expression of that inspiration.  Find that thing that fills you up inspirationally and focus on it. Make it a daily priority in your life. Be intentional about this so that you can release that fresh flow of creativity when you do get in the studio.  As I have explored it more over the years, the Holy Spirit began to bring me more revelation about how inspiration works - how it's discovered, held and nurtured within us. Central to my understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves over all the inspiration we sow into our heart and mind, allowing us to co-labor with Him in the creative process.  ​

Focus On The Journey
The second thing I would say is that you have got to prioritize your own personal creative journey.  True artistic growth requires so much more than merely mastering the tools and techniques of your chosen genre. Maturing as a creative involves integrating everything you learn along your journey into your unique creative expression, voice, and style.  

It's the nuance of how God speaks to you, how you fill your Creative Well, and how you interpret those things through your life and art that grow you as an artist. The secret to keeping your creativity fresh is continually looking for and focusing upon those divine teaching opportunities God puts in your path. Intentionally making this a priority in your journey will keep your art and your creative outlook fresh.

Don't Forget The Fun
The last thing I would say is this: You have got to get back to the joy of just creating! I still love nothing better than to be out in my garden, pruning back plants, picking up dead leaves, and using those scraps to sit down and just start weaving. I'm not focused on any tools or techniques as I'm sitting there on my porch. I'm just having fun with the materials.

The funny thing is that after the countless pieces I've created and sold, this simple act of weaving yard clippings is still a huge rush to me.  It's creative joy unleashed and unrestrained. It's a simple process that keeps me grounded creatively.  

If you're not regularly experiencing this, then ask the Lord to take you back to that place where creativity was something you embraced with child-like joy. Let those times of prayerful and playful artistic meditation revive your sense of awe and wonder in the creative process.
 

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share it on social media, and comment below!
​

Thanks for reading.

10 Comments
Judy Mabardy link
10/30/2020 09:11:39 am

Loved this word! Thank you. For some reason, I was lead to draw a well. The same one. More than once. Each time perfecting it. I call the latest version of my final sketch Living Waters. It reminds me Jesus is the living well from which I must daily draw. Recently, I heard you call that reservoir inside us “your creative well” How cool! We draw from Him and He fills us up to create too.
Thank you again. I’m learning so much!

Reply
Deb Wall
10/30/2020 11:14:27 am

Amazing! I was just thinking this morning why I’m I’m not inspired . God timing is perfect . I need to fill up my well ( I need ideas for this )and also let myself play ; I’ll start by digging into my art room drawers 😃

Reply
Peggy-Lynn Holland link
10/30/2020 01:15:21 pm

Sat down for my morning coffee this morning and was looking forward to hearing this podcast on inspiration.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was my question I had sent in about inspiration that Matt was answering!
After much prayer , I felt God spoke to me through Matt’s insight in answering my question in this podcast. Thank you Matt !

Reply
Alex Herd
10/31/2020 09:36:19 am

The living words of Matt, are a welcome cup of encouragement in the times of navigating and discerning the directionless desert. We all need hydrating from time to time on our path to inspiration.. God releases His creativity and enables us to encourage and share... Matt reminds us to stop striving and start releasing, to allow and enjoy our creative essence to just flow..
Great Word Matt.

Reply
Rebecca Riley
1/25/2021 11:41:54 am

Thank you for these encouraging words, Matt! I get a lot of my inspiration from nature and wildlife hikes. This time of year is always a struggle for me as I love in Ohio. So it’s freezing cold and the landscape is bare and muddy. After listening to this message of yours, an idea fell right in my lap 🙏. I am going to look through the thousands of pictures I have taken in nature for my inspiration! Also, I am going to paint something for me. Just for fun. May God’s Spirit be with me and guide me today and everyday!

Thanks again! Rebecca

Reply
Sondra K Dunn
4/17/2021 04:54:15 pm

This was the first thing I have explored on your website, Another answer to prayers since I signed up to your upcoming virtual class. Many are requests of God that are of long standing and many more that have been answered just since I joined this amazing group! I've not yet posted my introduction and examples of my artwork, but still have a little time to learn how to retrieve my photos and attach them to it. Also to take photos to include. You guessed it.....I'm from a generation that is not tech savvy and need someone to tell me how to do things I've not done before. That's a prayer request that hasn't yet been answered, but I'm sure it will be before the class starts Thanks for this blog and I will check it regularly and and read as much as I can of what goes clear back to the start. I am so excited for the Mindset Makeover to begin on 4-26-21!

Reply
Mary Lewis
4/18/2021 10:45:57 pm

Thank you. This was helpful. From feeling lost to your post starting with.....Do you ever wonder how to keep the inspiration going when you feel just a little creatively dry? --- I am feeling encouraged and getting excited to see what will be renewed, borne and birthed.

Thank you, Mary



Cultivating Artistic Inspiration
10/29/20206 Comments


Reply
Darcy link
4/20/2021 06:50:43 am

I appreciate your Thrive classes so much! N they inspire me to get back into the main gift God gave me as a little girl! N which I followed into college n received my BFA! But had no idea how to market my work once I got out! I made a bunch of mistakes in my life, but art was always there; I just didn’t know how to break into the market! Then I became suicidal for a period of 10-15 years n my creativity stopped! God renewed my strength n introduced me to you & your army of artist! The 2nd year He yelled louder n said get your but goin’ n stop waist in’ time‼️ So here I am, ready to learn how to sale my old n make new! N also teach summer art again n private lessons as well! There’s always a way to make a buck! I just have to lean on Jesus n BELIEVE IN MYSELF AGAIN‼️(Something that’s been missing for many years!) So all the glory goes to GOD‼️✝️🥰🙌♥️🙌

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codybecth link
9/12/2022 09:50:08 pm

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is a very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one

Reply
Storyboard Art link
11/23/2022 09:27:25 am

True artistic growth requires so much more than merely mastering the tools and techniques of your chosen genre. I truly appreciate your great post!

Reply



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