Dear Artist: 8 Actionable Ways to Nurture Your Creative Spirit
Written by Reena Medina
Edited by Clarisse Provido
Like any part of the body, your artist’s side needs nourishment too.
Ysha, my seven-year old niece, began her creative routine when she was five years old. She picks up a sheet from a pile of scratch papers. Using colored pencils and pens, she illustrates cartoon sketches and folds the papers as panels. She giddily narrates the story of her sketches to us.
At a tender age of seven, you may also have liked or even started your hands with an innocent and time-consuming hobby - something to amuse you with all the time you have. It’s good to take a look back at those times when our imagination was still unhampered. Now that escapism is a luxury for young adults and adults - I believe we can still rekindle that spirit.
Have you carried along a little artist inside as you turned into an adult?
From concept to output, you can always retrace the path of a soon-to-be artist by trying these 8 actionable steps:
1. REMEMBER HOW IT FEELS LIKE A CHILD.
A child is open to a lot of possibilities. Good or bad, a child’s playful spirit can serve as your benchmark. Try revitalizing your own playful spirit through a memory bank. Be eager again to learn new things and create fresh narratives.
56 Likes, 2 Comments - clarisse 🥀 (@sentimentalsediments) on Instagram: "I pray for help to fill this space on my canvas... literally * WIP artswap with @tempuraknife..."
Do something: Unearth your old school photo albums and swim with the wave of nostalgia. Choose 3 photos that you associate with inspiring memories and ideas + write it down the ideas on your journal / piece of paper.
2. TIME TO GOOGLE OUT THAT CURIOSITY.
Type “How to…” on that search engine but don’t let the predictive text speak for you. Have a goal in mind and stick to your chosen path for this season. You can also do a step-by-step discovery and apply it immediately so these are not abstract ideas for you. May it be “How to video-edit?” or “How to blend 3 colors?”, these searches should be accompanied by actions.
what was I losing? was it worth losing or keeping?
43 Likes, 1 Comments - clarisse 🥀 (@sentimentalsediments) on Instagram: "what was I losing? was it worth losing or keeping?"
Do something: Type or list weird or uncommon ideas from your childhood or today that you never have dared to do or never had the time to search about like - “How to do cross stitch?” or “How to blend colors using watercolor?”, " How to create paper flowers?" List the steps and try to do step 1 today.
3. KEEP ON READING OR LISTENING TO PODCASTS.
Browse at resource materials that provide fresh perspectives. Since we are using our social media accounts maybe mostly or even excessively - create something and share through your accounts. Being too engrossed by having a multi-sensory experience can be paralyzing. For some extreme personal disciplinary action, you can consider turning off your Wi-Fi connection for a period of time.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
Do something: Read articles from Grove Art Online, Hyperallergic, ArtReview, or anything related to your craft. Or listen to the latest podcasts about creativity like Creative Pep Talk or Switch On Pop during a workout or break.
4. SIGN UP FOR WORKSHOPS.
In a relatively short period of time, lectures, exercises, and advice from a facilitator can activate your drive to continue pursuing an interest. You are compelled to stretch out your learning capacity in workshops by producing outputs. Some workshops can even give you a recital or graduating ceremony for your combined efforts in building an output.
76 Likes, 8 Comments - clarisse 🥀 (@sentimentalsediments) on Instagram: "Read over at my blog for my workshop experience on Lettering with Abbey Sy! I'm one of the..."
Do something: You can sign up for a free 2 month trial of Skillshare classes where you can explore the "How tos" you listed previously. Join the group discussions to discuss your progress or check in with others about the experience.
5. SUBMIT ENTRIES IN FOLIOS, PUBLICATIONS, GROUP EXHIBITS, AND CROWD-SOURCED PROJECTS.
It is always a brave move to take that attempt to be part of something. Whether you get accepted or not, the highlight of this move is that you have a new work under your belt - maybe for a portfolio or just a collection of your work.You can also keep it for revision. Just keep your radar on for more opportunities to create - not just for the sake of winning the contest but to improve your skills and perspective towards your craft.
"Ideas become embryos, at some point, they start breathing on their own." ✍
56 Likes, 4 Comments - clarisse 🥀 (@sentimentalsediments) on Instagram: ""Ideas become embryos, at some point, they start breathing on their own." ✍"
Do something: Submit your entry in the 41st edition of Ani, the official literary journal of CCP or Ateneo Art Gallery - Marciano Galang Acquisition Prize and Exhibition (Works on Paper). If you want to explore more - you can start following art accounts and magazines on Instagram and save a folder named "Put My Work Out There" and keep tabs on what you think might be an interesting avenue for your work.
6. DO IT IN LONG-FORM.
Unloading your thoughts can be your first step towards any work. Blabber on paper, form an outline, or keep writing down any idea you have - even if your think its stupid. Without any word count in mind, you are limitless. Moreover, these ideas can be exponentially multiplied. As soon as you have finished unloading, you can streamline your thoughts. Then, pick out the best phrases and compose a refined version. They can be transformed into content for different platforms.
39 Likes, 0 Comments - clarisse 🥀 (@sentimentalsediments) on Instagram: "Before heading out, I need some unwinding...back to work in a bit! I missed this little book of..."
Do something: Always carry a handy notepad with you - preferably a sturdy spiral notebook to write any immediate golden nuggets (a.k.a interesting train of thoughts).
Watch Vice's show via Youtube about Oobah Butler's Fake Restaurant and Paris Fashion Week Invasion - proving that even the most absurd ideas have potential.
7. REACT TO MOVIES, MUSEUM EXHIBITS, MUSICALS AND MORE.
After watching something, your feedback doesn’t end with “Wow!”, “Great!”, The best!”. Perhaps, you may first come off as speechless but there is something at the back of your head. But a scene can be left imprinted on your mind. Try to recall the line that struck you most. Write as much as you can. You can be both critical and creative. Moreover, this can be a breeding ground for fanfictions and fan art.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
Do something: Write a review or draw a fan art on the last movie or video game that you watched / played. Inject your taste in choice of medium, colors, and more.
8. EMBRACE YOUR DREAM PASSION PROJECT.
While taking a shower or cooking, an idea may suddenly pop out of your head. Fortunately, it might be your next passion project! These concepts may soon come in handy yet the magic lies in the visualization and execution. You can even build a mock-up for your ideas which can manifest your willingness to actualize that dream. Time and lack of resources usually hinder you from executing one. But you have to make sure to jot it down so you never forget to unearth it soon. Don’t let it get too dusty before you come back to it.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
Do something: Create a tribute video for all of your mentors (or even your HEROES - people you look up to) You may also create a collage artwork about what you've learned from them so far.
Be your younger self's biggest fan and motivator by working on one actionable baby step - one step at a time. Perhaps, you just need an extra push - and an action to go with it!
Go with it, dear artist.
