1. Use Your Imagination
Imagination is the cornerstone of your creativity. All art starts in the imagination. Imagination helps an artist to daydream and to speculate and to think about how things can be. Artists often rely on imagination to create unique and original works. Here's how to harness your imagination effectively:
- Visualization: Spend time visualizing your ideas. Envision the various possibilities with your art. Don't hold back. This is the opportunity to let your mind wonder and be free. Imagine different scenarios, colors, patterns and textures.
- Creative Play: Allow yourself the gift of play to experiment and create without the pressure of perfection. Play is so nurturing to the inner child in every artist. Every artist began as that child with a crayon and construction paper eager to make something. That's just what creative play offers. A chance to explore and use your art making materials in any way that sparks joy.
2. Don't Consider Failure
A key part of thinking like an artist is viewing failures not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth. Here's how to reframe your perspective on failure.
- Reframe Failure: In your art journey, it is inevitable that things will go wrong sometimes. Instead of placing value on shortcomings, just think of it as a part of the artistic process.
- Learning: Think of every mistake as a learning experience. Don't submerge yourself in the feeling of failure. Think of it as just what it is...a feeling. Take off your feeling hat and put your thinking cap on instead. Analyze what went wrong and how you can improve next time.
- Innovation: Some of the greatest artistic breakthroughs come from unexpected mistakes. Embrace mistakes as a chance to discover unexpected ways of using your artistic tools.
3. Focus on the Process over the Outcome
Artists often find joy in the process of making art rather than fixating on the final product. The process of making art provides artists with the possibility to nourish the soul of their art my immersing themselves fully into the work. Here's why the process is essential.
- Mindfulness: Being fully present and engaged in the art making process gives meaning to the experience of being an artist.
- Flow State: Focusing on the process can help you achieve a flow state, where you lose track of time and are fully immersed in your work. The process of flow is where I believe the artist fully captures the soul of their work.
- Continuous Improvement: By prioritizing the process, you allow yourself to continually learn and grow, rather than feeling pressure to achieve a perfect outcome every time.
4. Embrace Your Own Unique Perspective
Every artist has a unique way of seeing the world, and this perspective is a valuable asset. Artists are not here to fit in with the status quo, but to push the boundaries of what it means to be human. Your perspective as an artist is essential to give voice to your work. Here's how to leverage your individual viewpoint:
- Personal Vision: Trust your instincts. Follow your creative vision even if it differs from conventional approaches. Mix your mediums in unique and unexpected ways. A key tip is to have creative flow sessions using inexpensive materials. Make whatever art comes to mind.
- Authentic Expression: Your unique perspective allows you to create authentic and original work that resonates with others. However, make the kind of art that speaks to your soul first.
- Diverse Inspirations: Draw inspiration from your personal experiences, surroundings and emotions. This will help you develop a distinctive style that reflects who you are as an artist.
Developing the mind of an artist can truly transform your creative journey by enhancing your mental strength while maintaining your artistic essence. By using imagination, reframing failure, focusing on the process, and embracing your unique perspective you'll find that your art becomes more meaningful and fulfilling. Remember, the journey of being an artist is just as important.
xox 