True Art Comes Naturally

The elusive and mystifying world of art inspires awe and wonder in many of those who prefer the practical and concrete.However, the world of creative expression is often grossly misunderstood, especially when it comes to the creative process.

We’ve all had the experience of staring at a stark white piece of paper or the haunting glare of an empty Word document. Whether it’s a school assignment, business report, or some poem or story we’re fiddling with, we’re often left helplessly awaiting inspiration to strike like a bolt from Zeus’s own hand. But, inspiration often doesn’t come when you’re perched atop a mountain chanting ancient mantras, in the hopes that the muses will take pity on you. 

True art, more often than not, creeps in when you’re in your pajamas, eating cold pizza, and humming along to a trashy pop song you’d never admit you actually like. For all the people that may try to sell you a calculated process or mechanical formula for creativity, they’re just separating you from your money with false hopes and empty promises. Art can’t simply be willed into existence by sheer force of determination or a ticking clock.

If what you create is to one day be determined as true art, it must emerge on its own from a much deeper place within yourself. It’s what we refer to abstractly as our imagination, a place beyond the reach of logic or reason. The spark of inspiration that ignites the artist’s soul and guides their hand is an impulse, not a predetermined action.

We’ve all seen countless examples of impulsive greatness in the works of great writers, musicians, painters, and other artists throughout history. Their works seem to flow effortlessly from them, as if they are merely channelers of something greater than themselves. Great creations seem to take on a life and willpower of their own, spanning the years and withstanding the test of time and popular opinion.

What most of us don’t appreciate, artists as much as non-artists, is that such greatness is the result of perseverance. Even when the art isn’t coming, which is most of the time believe it or not, the artist must never give up. Just like a day job, the artist must keep showing up, day after day, waiting for their muse to grace them with her presence. The diligent artist never stops honing their craft, practicing their techniques, and refining their skills. When the inspiration does come, they must be ready to capture it.

It’s a truly magical experience when the art begins to flow from the artist’s instrument. While it may sound cliche that all artists are doing is tapping into a universal source of creativity, there truly is a wellspring of inspiration available to all who are willing to seek it out. Just remember, artistic inspiration comes when its time is right and never before. 

So, what can actionable advice can I offer here to boost your creative efforts, without having you sign up for a six-week course that costs six weeks of your paychecks? Here’s five quick thoughts that I’ll leave with you here today.

Appreciate the Mundane: Art can’t be born in an echo chamber of perfection. It’s in the silly moments, the everyday humdrum happening, the unintentional doodles during a boring lecture, or the quirky tunes you hum while brushing your teeth. Celebrate these fragments of your life, because they’re often the nuclei of creativity.

Lose the Artistic Ego: Waiting for perfect conditions can feel like waiting for a unicorn to sashay by with a double rainbow in tow. Instead of waiting, start creating. No piece of art started as a masterpiece. It likely evolved from something you would never expect.

Laugh at Yourself: Remember that time you tried to replicate Bob Ross’s ‘Happy Little Trees’ and ended up with ‘Melancholy Little Bushes’? Humor, even at your own expense, is cathartic and can guide you to look at your work with fresh, non-judgmental eyes.

Don’t Ever Try to Be Perfect: Art isn’t about achieving a textbook definition of perfection. It’s about portraying genuine emotion, capturing a fleeting moment, and sharing a piece of your soul. As anyone who’s ever tried to force a sneeze knows, the best things come most naturally when you least expect them.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Overthink It: Our brains are fantastic tools, but sometimes, it works just a bit too hard. Art is often about feeling rather than thinking. If every brushstroke and choice of hue were overanalyzed, we’d all be swimming in seas of beige. Emotions, even the messy ones, are your palette. Be sure to mix things up and embrace the color wheel.

So, the next time you find yourself hunting for that elusive spark of inspiration, take a moment, and breathe. Artistry requires patience, and learning how to prepare for when inspiration arrives in the moment. Remember that the most profound art is born in moments of sheer, unadulterated silliness. True art should come as naturally as laughing at a terribly good pun. Yet, that, dear readers, is no joke.

~ Amelia Desertsong