An Artist’s Life: How to Stay Motivated and Creative

You sit down to draw, and nothing happens. The ideas aren’t flowing, your motivation is gone, and every line feels forced. Sound familiar?

Art block is frustrating. Feeling insecure about your work is exhausting. And staying motivated when you’re not seeing progress? That’s tough.

The good news? You’re not alone. Every artist, and yes, every single one, goes through the same thing. But there are ways to push through, regain confidence, and keep creating.

I’ve rounded up some of my best advice on beating creative slumps, handling rejection, and staying inspired. And before you ask how I know, it’s because I’ve been there.

You’ll find practical tips, honest truths, and a few surprising insights. And because we all need a laugh, I’m throwing in a bonus post with 95 ridiculous things people have said to artists (you’ve probably heard a few).

And to wrap things up on a high note, the last post will remind you how artists get their best ideas, because inspiration is always out there, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Let’s get into it.

1. 11 Ways to Motivate Yourself as an Artist

You want to create, but you just can’t get started. Motivation feels like this magical thing that some artists have and others don’t. But here’s the truth: motivation follows action, not the other way around.

This post lays out simple ways to get yourself back into the habit of making art, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s not about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about setting up small, easy wins, things that make starting feel less overwhelming.

You’ll learn why your brain fights you on this (spoiler: it’s normal) and how to trick yourself into getting back into the flow.

You’ll also get practical advice on breaking big projects into bite-sized tasks, setting up a workspace that invites creativity, and dealing with the fear of making bad art. Because let’s be honest, that fear holds a lot of us back.

The trick is learning to work through it instead of waiting for it to disappear.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, this post will give you the push you need to pick up your pencil and start again.

2. 14 Tips On Beating Art Block

Art block isn’t just annoying, it can make you question everything. Are you really an artist? Have you lost your talent? The answer is no, but in the middle of a slump, it sure feels that way.

This post walks through the common causes of art block and, more importantly, how to break free from it. You’ll get ideas for shaking up your routine, loosening up your expectations, and taking the pressure off yourself.

, the best thing you can do is step away for a bit. Other times, pushing through is the answer. This post helps you figure out which approach works best for you.

You’ll also learn why perfectionism is often the real culprit behind creative blocks, and how to stop it from holding you back. If you’ve been stuck staring at a blank page, this post will help you move past the frustration and get back to creating.

3. 22 Myths About Artists: Misconceptions Debunked

People have a lot of weird ideas about what it means to be an artist. Some of those ideas? They get stuck in your head and mess with your confidence.

This post tackles the biggest myths about artists—things like “real artists don’t struggle” or “you have to be born with talent.” These beliefs are damaging, and they stop a lot of people from pursuing art seriously.

You’ll see why most of these myths are nonsense and how to reframe the way you think about your own skills. The truth is, every artist has doubts. Every artist struggles.

The ones who succeed aren’t the ones who were naturally gifted from birth, they’re the ones who kept going, even when it was hard.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not “good enough” to call yourself an artist, this post will change the way you think.

4. Creative Burnout: What is it? and How to Recover

Feeling drained? Like you’re forcing every piece of art? That’s burnout, and it’s different from regular old art block.

This post helps you recognize the warning signs of creative burnout and what to do about it. Sometimes, taking a break is the best thing you can do for your art.

Other times, small changes, like switching up your tools or setting gentler expectations, can help you reset without walking away completely.

You’ll also learn why burnout happens in the first place. Spoiler: pushing yourself too hard, ignoring your limits, and chasing validation (likes and comments) are all big factors.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted and uninspired, this post will help you recharge and find joy in creating again.

5. Why Does Drawing Make You Tired?

You sit down to draw, get lost in the details, and when you finally look up, you’re exhausted. But why? You’re just sitting there, right?

This post explains why drawing drains your energy more than you’d expect. It turns out, making art isn’t just about your hands; it’s about your brain.

You’re focusing intensely, making constant decisions, and engaging your fine motor skills—all of which take a surprising amount of effort. The longer you stay in that deep concentration mode, the more mentally fatigued you get.

You’ll also get practical tips for managing that exhaustion. Things like taking short breaks, adjusting your posture, and staying hydrated can make a big difference.

And if you’ve ever felt guilty for feeling tired after “just drawing,” this post will reassure you, it’s completely normal. Your brain is working hard, and sometimes, rest is just as important as practice.

6. 6 Ways Artists Cope With Critics and Rejection

Rejection stings. You put your heart into your work, only to hear a “no” that feels personal. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and sometimes enough to make you wonder if you should even keep going.

This post is a reality check on rejection—it’s not a sign that you’re not good enough. It happens to every artist, even the ones you admire.

The difference is how you respond to it. You’ll learn why rejection is often more about timing, preferences, or even luck than it is about your talent.

More importantly, you’ll get practical ways to handle it. How to separate yourself from the rejection, use feedback wisely, and build resilience so that one “no” doesn’t stop you from chasing the next “yes.”

If you’ve ever taken rejection personally (and who hasn’t?), this post will help you shake it off and keep moving forward.

7. 5 Reasons Why Most Artists Fail

Most artists don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they stop trying.

This post gets straight to the point, making art for a living is tough, and a lot of people quit before they give themselves a real chance.

The biggest reasons? Impatience, unrealistic expectations, and fear of failure. Many artists expect overnight success, and when it doesn’t happen, they assume they’re not good enough.

You’ll learn why persistence matters more than raw skill, how to push through slow progress, and why treating art like a long game is the key to making it work.

Success isn’t about avoiding failure, it’s about not letting failure stop you. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this post will remind you why you shouldn’t.

8. How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as an Artist

You look at your work and think, “I’m not a real artist.” Sound familiar? That’s imposter syndrome, and it’s brutal.

This post dives into the self-doubt that creeps in when you feel like you’re faking it, like everyone else has talent, but you’re just winging it.

The reality? Almost every artist, even the professionals, feel this way at some point. The difference is that they’ve learned to keep creating anyway.

You’ll learn how to quiet that nagging voice in your head that says you’re not good enough. The key isn’t proving yourself to others, it’s proving to yourself that your work has value, no matter what stage you’re at.

This post gives you practical ways to shift your mindset, stop comparing yourself to others, and start believing in your own progress.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t deserve to call yourself an artist, this post will help you see just how wrong that is.

9. Is Being an Artist Too Lonely? Read The Truth

You spend hours alone, sketching, painting, or refining details no one else will notice. You love creating, but sometimes, it feels isolating. Is that just part of being an artist?

This post takes an honest look at the loneliness that can come with making art. It’s not just about working alone, it’s about feeling like no one understands what you do or why you care so much about it.

You’ll learn why so many artists struggle with this and how to stop it from becoming a real problem.

You don’t have to choose between your art and a social life. This post offers practical ways to stay connected while still protecting your creative time.

Whether it’s finding like-minded artists, setting social boundaries, or simply changing your routine, small shifts can make a big difference.

If you’ve ever felt like art is a lonely road, this post will remind you that you’re not actually alone in feeling that way.

10. Are You Too Shy to Succeed as an Artist?

Putting your work out there is hard enough. But if you’re shy, it feels even worse. Talking about yourself? Promoting your art? It all sounds like a nightmare.

This post is for artists who would rather let their work speak for itself—but know deep down that staying invisible won’t get them anywhere.

You’ll learn how to navigate self-promotion without feeling fake or pushy. The trick isn’t trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about finding ways to market yourself that feel natural.

You’ll also get advice on handling social situations, selling your work, and building confidence over time. You don’t have to be loud to be successful, you just have to show up in your own way.

If you’ve ever felt like shyness is holding you back, this post proves that quiet artists can make just as much impact as the bold ones.

11. What’s it Like to Be an Artist?

Everyone has their own idea of what it’s like to be an artist. Some think it’s all creative freedom and inspiration. Others assume it’s a constant struggle. The truth? It’s a mix of both.

This post lays it all out, the good, the bad, and the reality no one talks about. You’ll get an honest look at what it means to pursue art seriously, from the satisfaction of creating something from nothing to the frustration of self-doubt and financial uncertainty.

It’s not always easy, but for those who stick with it, the rewards go far beyond money or recognition.

You’ll see what daily life as an artist actually looks like, the sacrifices that come with it, and why so many artists keep going despite the challenges.

If you’ve ever wondered if this path is worth it, this post offers a real-world perspective that might just confirm what you already suspect.

3 Bonus Posts to Lighten Things Up

95 Daft Things People Say to Artists

Brace yourself. If you’ve been an artist for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard some ridiculous comments. You know, the ones that make you question whether people understand what you actually do.

This post is an amusing collection of real things people say to artists, stuff like, “Can you draw me for free?” or “My kid could do that!” It’s both infuriating and oddly comforting because at least now you know it’s not just you.

Beyond the laughs, this post is a reminder that artists deal with a lot of nonsense from people who don’t get it. But instead of letting it frustrate you, sometimes the best response is to roll your eyes, laugh it off, and keep doing what you do best, creating.

If you need a break from the usual serious art talk, this is a fun one. You might even find a few lines that you’ve heard word-for-word.

10 Ways Artists Get Their Ideas and Find Inspiration

Staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? It doesn’t work like that. Ideas don’t magically appear—they come from everything around you.

This post breaks down where artists actually get their best ideas. Spoiler: it’s not from sitting around hoping for a eureka moment.

You’ll see how observation, curiosity, and even boredom play a role in sparking creativity. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you’re not even trying.

You’ll also learn why inspiration is a habit, not a rare event. The more you feed your creativity, by sketching, exploring new techniques, or simply paying attention to the world, the more ideas will come.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, this post will remind you that inspiration isn’t lost, it’s just waiting to be noticed.

How to Sell Your Art and Travel The World: As I Did

Making a living from art sounds impossible to most people. Travel the world while doing it? Even crazier. But that’s exactly what I did, and still do.

This post is proof that selling your art can fund a life of freedom if you’re willing to make it work. No fancy galleries, no online gimmicks, just good art, smart selling, and persistence.

You’ll see exactly how I built a simple, sustainable income selling wildlife prints to tourists. No overnight success, no luck, just a method that works.

I break down the practical side, how to price your work, where to sell, and what actually makes people buy. But more than that, this post shows that making a living as an artist isn’t just a dream.

It’s all doable. You don’t need to be rich, famous, or the best artist in the world. You just need the right mindset and a solid plan.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to turn your art into a lifestyle, this post proves that it is. And if I can do it, so can you.

Staying Positive as an Artist: Final Thoughts

Art block, self-doubt, and rejection. Every artist deals with it. The difference between those who quit and those who succeed isn’t talent. It’s persistence.

This round-up gave you solid strategies for pushing through creative slumps, staying motivated, and handling the mental challenges that come with being an artist.

Some days, you’ll feel unstoppable. Other days, you’ll wonder why you even started. That’s normal. What matters is that you keep going.

If you need motivation, revisit “how to get started when you don’t feel like it “11 Ways to Motivate Yourself.” If you’re battling self-doubt, the ‘imposter syndrome’ post will help.

And if you just need a giggle, go read “95 ridiculous things people say to artists” because, let’s be real, people say some stupid things.

Art is challenging, frustrating, and sometimes exhausting. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. So pick up your pencil, grab your sketchbook, and keep creating.

Your next great idea is closer than you think.

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If you’re ready to take your art seriously and start making money from your work, here’s how you can start selling your art successfully

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