Recently I asked artists in my community what’s their biggest obstacle. One of them said it’s finding inspiration to paint. I found this is not an uncommon struggle for many of us, myself included. So I dived into this topic, and here are some of the tips I found: 

1:Seek Sources of Encouragement:   I am generally a very positive person. But even I have doubts about my artistic ability sometimes. This is what I found to be helpful:  surrounding yourself with sources of encouragement. Seeking out mentors who inspire and guide you, podcasts that share stories of artistic growth, or even chatting with people in your life who consistently radiate positivity. 

2: Embrace Failure:   Failure is not the end; it’s a stepping stone to growth. As an artist, you inevitably face setbacks and create pieces that fall short of your expectations. Embrace these moments of perceived failure as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember to use failure as a catalyst for breakthroughs, and watch your artistry soar to new heights.

3: Immerse yourself in other creative outlets. Many artists found inspiration from different cultures, movies, books, and magazines and even took a nature hikes. I personally like to take a break from painting and look through other artists’ social media posts and find inspiration. So find what you like to do in your spare time and just let yourself enjoy the moment. You will feel emotionally recharged and spiritually refreshed afterward. 

4:  Try different creative mediums or styles. If you are an oil painter, maybe try to do some watercolors. If you paint realistically, maybe try to paint abstract art — just let colors and brushstrokes flow freely! You never know; perhaps you will find a new style you love!  

5: Last—knowing everything Will Be Okay:  When you find yourself in a creative funk, it’s important to remind yourself that everything will be okay. Let go of attachment to outcomes and embrace the present moment. Understand that creativity has its ebb and flow, and this phase is just temporary. Trust in your abilities and have faith that inspiration will return to you. Remember, this, too, shall pass, and new creative ideas will emerge.

Hope these five creative tips will help you embrace the journey, celebrate your creativity, and let your artistic light shine brightly!

click here to read my post about finding joy in your art https://yingmclane.com/finding-joy-in-your-art/

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We all know that feeling of being in a zone where time seems to stand still, and our hands move almost on their own. 

It’s a magical place where we are fully immersed in our work, and everything else fades away.

But sometimes, we can get caught worrying about the end result. Will it be good enough? Will people like it? Will it sell? These thoughts can take us out of the moment and steal the joy from the process of creating. 

But the true beauty is in the act of creation, in how our minds and hearts come together to form something new and unique. We must remember that the journey of creation is just as important as the destination.

NYT bestseller author Arthur Brooks’s new book inspires people to find true joy and purpose in the second half of life. 

It talks about the four common misconception people think will bring them happiness: money, power, pleasure, and fame. Actually, the more people have those, the more miserable they become in the second half of life. Because they eventually find out those don’t bring them more joy and fulfillment. 

The four real things that bring happiness are faith, family, friends, and work. Working with your hands and mind is a God-given gift and is a requirement for life’s purpose and fulfillment.

You can find the link to this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Finding-Success-Happiness-Purpose/dp/B08WDN9LSM/ref=sr_1_13?crid=9MZZQB6MZFZL&keywords=arthur+books&qid=1680024844&sprefix=arthur+%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-13#customerReviews

Ecclesiastes 3:22, we are told, “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot.” 

Let’s remember that our art is a reflection of our souls. Our work as artists is not just a job. It’s a part of who we are. And when we find joy in making art, our works become an extension of ourselves. So let’s allow ourselves the freedom to experiment, to make mistakes, to explore our ideas and inspirations without worrying about the outcome

We must embrace the process, the ups and downs, the mistakes, and the happy accidents. They are all part of the journey, making our art unique and beautiful.

You can watch my creative process in this short IG video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqVqLmTAKeB/

Cheering you on!

Ying

The post Finding Joy in Your Art appeared first on Ying McLane.

Please hear me out,

Everyone is a born creator. Maybe you are a mother who put two blueberries on your child’s pancake and made a smiley face on it this morning; perhaps you are an accountant who figured out a new way to solve a problem on the company’s annual report; maybe you are a teacher who is good at making boring math problem interesting for your kids—congratulations! You are creative!

God is the original creator. He gives us different gifts to create small wonders in life.  

He has imbued every human being with a unique set of talents and abilities, including creativity. Creativity is not just reserved for artists or musicians but is a fundamental aspect of the human experience that can be expressed in countless ways.

Whether through painting, writing, cooking, designing, problem-solving, or inventing, creativity allows us to express our individuality and positively impact the world around us. It enables us to connect with others, find meaning in our lives, and tap into the vast potential of our imaginations.

God has created each of us to be creative, and we are responsible for discovering and nurturing that creativity within ourselves. We must embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with expressing our unique creative gifts and use them to positively impact the world.

In this way, we honor God’s creative nature and contribute to the beauty and diversity of the world he has created. Let us each embrace our creative potential and use it to make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

I want to share this prayer with you to spark your creativity:

Heavenly Father, we pray for all those who use their artistic talents to bring healing and hope to the world. Whether through music, writing, painting, or any other form of creative expression, we ask that you bless their work and use it to uplift and comfort those struggling. May they be strengthened and encouraged by your presence, and may their work be a shining light in the darkness.

In Jesus’s name

Amen

Last, do you know what is the biggest creative block? Click this post to find out https://yingmclane.com/five-ways-to-overcome-creative-block/

Have a blessed day!

Ying

The post You are Creative appeared first on Ying McLane.

So how do you know your fear is holding you back? 

If you are worried about what other people will think of your new endeavors, or you have negative self-talk, or you like keeping yourself busy, or you keep turning to food as a distraction, then you probably have some fear that is holding you back.

Remember, the thing you feared the most is usually the thing that will bring you the biggest breakthrough. In your subconscious mind, you know you are opening a new door. And the unknown landscape triggers your fear. 

How can you kill the fear so your creativity can thrive? 

1: If you fear failure, just do it. Stop looking for excuses or distractions. Just pull out your paints or notebook, start to paint, and write. Even if you have a failed painting or a post, you will discard it later. At least you defeated your fear. 

No one has more experience with failure than Thomas Edison. He literally failed a thousand times before he invented a lightbulb that succeeded. His famous quote is: I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. 

2: Find a creative community. The road to creativity could be lonely if you do it alone, without moral support to lift you. Not everyone, even your family members, is guaranteed to understand you. And that will cause great fear. 

The Bible teaches us:” Iron sharpens irons.” There is so much truth in that.

So it’s vital to find some liked minded people to connect with. Local art associations and social media groups are all good solutions. ( If you haven’t yet, join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437940910025060

3: Creativity and unknown territory are like two peas in a pod. Every time you create, it will always lead you to try something new. Be it a new style, palette, theme, or technique. It’s exciting and refreshing. But unknown territory sometimes also leads to fear. 

Reflecting and meditating on your purpose as a soulful being will greatly help with that fear. We are created to create. If you truly feel deep in your heart that you are called to be an artist, then the desire to create will be greater than the fear of the unknown. 

4: Sometimes, people fear that they are not creative enough. Start by widening the definition of creativity. If you can make a pancake look like a monkey for your kids, that’s creativity!

A good exercise to find inspiration is to widen your source of reference. If you do painting, listening to music sometimes will bring you more inspiration than just looking at what other painters are doing.  If you write non-fictional works, try reading books in different genres, like biographies. Be mindful, and be free-spirited!

5: Many people feel that they are not qualified. They didn’t have a formal education in the creative profession they desired. 

My advice is—self-education. With the explosion of technology, for the first time in history you can find almost anything you want to learn on the internet. It’s cheap, easy, and right at your fingertips! So come on, my creative friends, let’s march on this journey with hope and joy together!

Here are some of Thomas Edison’s’s famous quotes: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3091287.Thomas_A_Edison

Check out my post about setting your creative goals here:  https://yingmclane.com/five-tips-for-setting-your-creative-goals-for-2023/

Cheering you on!

Ying 

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