Artist Inspiration and Motivation

What motivates you? What inspires you to keep going when you want to give up?

The July 17 Do This newsletter will discuss my inspiration from Lance Armstrong, but there are thousands of inspiring stories out there.

Being an artist is hard. But it's not any harder than anyone else who has to build a business from scratch. Sure, you might have more of a personal connection to your "product," but you still have to get out of bed every morning, make art, and market yourself.

What happens when you don't feel like it? What do you do when you get in a rut?

Comments

[Debbie Jackson-Wagers]

This is the most recent addition to my favorite quotes file. I found it very inspiring and motivating.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."

(Authored and published by Marianne Williamson)

[Pam Caidin]

I'm like the little engine that could. I chant. When I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew, which lately is ALL the time, if I catch myself losing heart, I say over and over again to myself, "I can do this...I CAN DO this."

[Ellen Lindner]

When my motivation or confidence needs a boost, I refer to my "compliments" email file folder. Yes, I have a folder for compliments. Why not? When an artist I respect compliments my work or my process, I hang onto the message. Later, when I need some encouragement, I read a few emails, print out a phrase or two (big and bold,) and stick it up where I can see it.

[Nicole]

I have these taped to my easel:

"My fingers emit sparks of fire
with expectations of my future labors." William Blake

"My mind is quiet & still as I hear the divine guidance which directs me all through the day & night." Unknown

[Robbie Becklund]

For me it's the people who like my work or who have bought my work that keeps me going. I've been close to hanging it up a few times in the last couple of years (can you say self-doubt), then someone will but something and get me motivated again. I tell myself, "what about the people who have said they will buy again from me, I have to be there for them." I seem to have more commitment to my customers than to myself... Writing in my journal is helpful, just to get the thoughts out.

[Janet Lee Sellers]

This quote from Goethe keeps me going:
"... Whatever you can do, or believe you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it..."

And, ongoing support of others in terms of "atta girl!" 's and especially sales. Somehow, people paying money and appreciating my work is a concrete response to my physical efforts, and the act gives me a lot of hope to go on in drier periods.

[Janet Lee Sellers]

p.s.

I, too, have heard and loved the quote about "letting our own light shine" . It lifts me up. I had originally read it in part of Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech. Fitting there, as well.
-Janet