Have you ever noticed that when creatives talk about their muse, they refer to it as if it is another person, an outside influence, separate from themselves? On the other hand, we all speak of talent, skill, and achievement as belonging to ourselves. Why do we separate the processor of our ideas from who we…

Why do some things inspire you but do nothing for other people? Why are we drawn to such particular things? The answer to that is as complex as you are, but going beyond just recognizing what you like and digging around about why you are drawn to those very particular things can help enrich your…

When was the last time you planned an excursion specifically to fill your creative well? It’s true that we can, and often do, find ideas and inspiration in our everyday life—while walking the dog, running errands, talking to friends, or just glancing out a window. Ideas are everywhere. However, we are often blind to the…

We all have fears. They range from small anxieties to creeping dread to outright terror. For most of us, fear is an internal or societal anticipation of a variety of possible disappointments. They aren’t life threatening but they can be, to some degree, debilitating. Fear of failure is one of the more common anxieties among…

What is the magic that makes an artistic piece look so masterful? A mastery of the craft is certainly an important aspect but, more important than that, it is the cohesiveness of the work, that intentional, purposeful, controlled result. Or at least the viewer’s perception that we meant to do it that way (because, yep,…

Why do you create? That sounds like it could be a big, deep, philosophical question but I don’t think it is. Most creatives that I know do what they do because they can’t NOT create. There is something inside them that drives them to do it. Artists don’t need outside motivations to fuel that desire…

This is not going to be the post I had planned, but between having family here all week and the complete demise of my primary computer, I am without my usual programs to put together a good post so, just a quote today. This is something to consider when you are frustrated at making mistakes…

How do you feel when starting a new creation, when you’re facing the blank page, the blank canvas, the emptiness of a space you propose to create something amazing in? No matter your answer, getting started on a new project is hard. That doesn’t mean you can’t also be excited or find the openness of…

Most forms of creativity have an adage that equates to “practice your craft every day.” Sounds like pretty good basic advice but why? What do you get out of practicing every day and why is it of such paramount importance?   Every Day Things What are the general categories of things you do every day?…

  Were you ever given a hard time for daydreaming? I think many of us did as kids. And, as we got older, we would have probably lost a job or two if we did it at work. So, it’s not something that society encourages. However, lately I have found that I need to spend…