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Are you wondering how to start making art but feel stuck or unsure?
Youāre not alone. Many people long to express themselves creatively, but fear, perfectionism, or comparison holds them back.
The truth is: learning how to be more creative doesnāt start with a perfect plan ā it starts with permission.
Permission to be messy. To be curious. To create art for yourself, not for an audience.
Did you know I went back and forth for over a year before I finally answer the call pulling at my heart to try painting. Looking back I laugh at where I would be if I had another year or so of creating more art under my belt.Ā
That is the past so I gotta let that go, but if you are in a similar situationā¦ just get started. Even small tests are all ya need to get things moving.
Inspired by the incredible video “Make Art Like No Oneās Watching” by Struthless, letās explore what it really means to be creative without pressure, and why imperfection might be your most powerful tool.
I’ll share the video below to help you get inspired by his thoughts.
šØ Start Small, Start Now
If you’re asking how to start making art, begin here: just start.
Donāt wait for the right tools, training, or clarity. You donāt need to be an expert to make something honest.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.Ā
Grab what you have.
Paint a shape.
Draw a line.
Smudge some color around.
This is mindful creativity ā
letting the present moment guide your hands.
š„ Obsess Over What You Love
I started my painting practice based on painting Green Tara which is a Buddhist Bodhisattva of Compassion (a Buddha working towards helping all sentient beings). I was obsessed learning the ins and outs of this character and her manifestations.Ā
This probably means very little to most people but those passionate about the Bodhisattva Path will probably love learning about these early paintings. This led to exploring other inspirations and working on honing my craft and learning and playing and just having fun. Soon painting became what I obsessed over and loved.
One secret to how to be more creative is to follow your obsessions, not trends.
Georgia OāKeeffe painted flowers, bones, and desert skies. Over and over.
Basquiat repeatedly painted skulls and crowns. Their repetition became their signature.
Here is one of my early obsessions with Green Tara. I really love this one.
š§āāļø Create Art for Yourself ā Not the Masses
You donāt need a large audience to make meaningful art.
In fact, many great artists started by creating for just one person ā themselves.
This is where creative freedom lives. You get to play, experiment, and express emotion without judgment.
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Try this: paint a piece and donāt share it with anyone. Let it be your secret.
Notice how that frees you.
ā Let Go of Perfection
Perfectionism is one of the biggest blocks to creativity.
But art was never meant to be flawless. It was meant to be real, raw, and emotionally true.
When you create art for yourself, you give yourself permission to make mistakes, to explore unknown ideas, and to stay curious.
And thatās what leads to growth ā not polished outcomes.
Here isĀ an article I found on The Dangers of PerfectionismĀ that you might enjoy to dig deeper on this topic.
I am sure some people find it odd that I create what most consider beautiful or cool, maybe a few in a row, and then I do some work just for play and to explore and by societies standards these probably look very amateurish and goofy and maybe they are.
But you know what else they are?
Practice. Doing, doing, doing the work of painting. But this kind of play also allows me to jump in and try random things with no expectation, no desired outcome. It allows me to be present and get in flow state and sometimes I try some goofy thing that excites me and this is where style might be built.
I learn techniques I have never heard of or seen and then I can keep exploring these practices and see if there is anything there and anything I really love. So do not right off being goofy and just playing and slapping some paint around just to sling some paint.
šÆ Still Wondering How to Be More Creative? Or If Ya Got It In You?
Here are a few prompts to get your energy flowing (again):
- What would I paint if I never had to show anyone?
- What would my inner child want to draw today?
- What colors represent how I feel right now?
- What if I just play with 3 colors and just play? Where would this take me today?
This is how mindful painting connects us to our authentic selves ā no pressure, no rules, just expression. Try one of these prompts or find some others that resonate with you or do a search to find other prompts.Ā
OrĀ Join the Mindful Paint ClubĀ I have create to unite fellow artists with the goal of supporting and inspiring one another. I kind of believe community is important even in art. Let’s paint together and cheer each other on.
š§āāļø Intuitive Painting Prompt:
Paint like nobodyās watching.
Begin with a color or shape you love. Obsess over it. Let it lead the way.
Donāt fix, edit, or judge. Just create from the inside out.
I did one painting where I just painted the infinity sign (or the number 8) over and over again. It made a great backdrop where I covered the whole canvas. You might be surprised how sticking to one shape might become something fun and interesting but follow your heart and find a symbol or shape that is speaks to you.
š„ Watch This:āHow to create your best art (nobody teaches this).ā ā World of Creatives
This brilliant video reminds us that:
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You donāt need permission to start.
You donāt need to create for social media.
Your art matters most when itās made for you.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to start making art isnāt about mastery ā itās about showing up.
When you create art for yourself and let go of perfection, you discover that creativity isnāt something you earn ā itās something you remember.
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So go ahead. Start. Obsess. Let go.
Make weird, messy, beautiful things.Ā
And trustā¦Ā
itās enough.
