Motivating Ourselves To Make Art - Realistic Floral Watercolor Painting 

Motivation? Everyone must find their own. As you stated it is different for everyone. I became disabled from crushed neck in an accident a number of years ago. I have medical issues,sever nerve pain,and almost no good sleep. I do not state this for sympathy. Those are just the facts. To stump doctors and still walk and use my limbs is a big motivation for me. Never give up. Art wise,to come to terms with my limitations and still continue on my watercolor journey when my body allows it.The spinal cord injury will not let me paint like I use to,but it has made me look at painting with a much more willingness to try new things. I’m happy ! Everyone enjoy the journey. Thanks Steve!

Even if I'm not in the mood to create, I try to at least do an exercise, an experiment, or to spend a bit of time on my sketchbook every day. I, too, have sleep apnea, (although I don't utilize a CPAP - I had 3 surgeries in childhood to assist with the apnea.) I experience chronic pain as well as chronic health issues and very much appreciated your kind words & acknowledgement of the subject. If I'm having a particularly rough day, I curl up in bed, surround myself with too many pillows, & make a kind of a painting nest. I arrange all of my supplies in the drawers of my nightstand, next to my bed. I'm a heavy reader, so books, I definitely find inspiring. I'm influenced very much by film and music, and, of course, the works of other artists. You brought up the fact that you're motivated by artistic challenges, problem solving. I am too! I am, I guess you could say, like a giant sponge in the sense that I absolutely love and crave learning new things. Nearly nothing makes me happier, more excited, or more fulfilled. It's a borderline obsession. I realized that I am much happier, in general, when I'm able to do anything art-related than not. Sometimes, I simply allow myself to make a "mess" & just watch my paints interact with the water. I feel it's important for me to add that you don't always have to create a brand new and extremely involved piece, especially every single day or each week. I think that should be emphasized. Although the Internet can be a fantastic resource for artists, things such as RU-vid and Instagram may cause undue pressure to create for some. This is why I stress that even small exercises are great. Your artwork and frequency of artistic output are your own and should be completely up to you. A certain amount of pressure is a good thing, but you shouldn't let yourself feel undue pressure when observing other artists. Art is art, and the only rules that exist are the ones you set for yourself. There really are no rules. @The Mind of Watercolor Thank you for the video, Steve! Your art and your wisdom are always such a source of inspiration. Your sense of humor is truly a much-needed breath of fresh air, and that was hysterical! I snorted. ;) Your dedication, generosity, and hard work are appreciated.

I’m on day 985 of a self-challenge to paint every day for 1000 days. I’ve posted em all on Instagram; the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly. I started from very humble (Ie “that kinda looks like a dog) to being a lot more confident. Having that chain of unbroken days has kept me accountable and motivated as I’ve gotten IG followers. The last 200 days I started to run out of things to paint (I can only paint my husband or dogs so much) so I opened up commissions to raise money for charity and that’s been a new motivation. That’s been the extra factor to push me across the finish line (and I highly recommend it).

“Don’t trip over minutes looking for hours”. Wow what an awesome statement. Lack of time lately has been my reason for not painting as much as I want because I don’t have time to devote what I feel is long enough to make any real progress. I’ve been making holiday cards and that’s something I can do in a few minutes. It motivates me to want to do tackle a bigger project.

What motivated me to paint started in 2015 after having a stroke. I recovered physically quickly but was struggling with memory issues which for me was unacceptable to me. I came across a study that showed evidence of "reprogramming" part of your brain by challenging yourself with a new skill. My profession and personal nature is STEM and logic based not artistic so I decided to teach myself to draw and paint and everything I read or heard said watercolor was the hardest media to work with so naturally that was my goal. The experiment was successful both medically and artistically. So much that many times I create something that I just look at and can't believe (or don't know how) I painted it. Channels like your have been a lifesaver.

Also thank you for sympathizing with artists who have chronic illness and diseases!!! We are often called lazy, it is the first time I heard someone mention us kindly!!!

Watching art videos on RU-vid often motivates me! I actually watched a friend stream a digital art commission via discord and finished my own artwork at the same time. Like others have said, thank you for sympathizing with those of us with health issues. It makes me less worried about when I have bad days and can’t even squeeze half an hour of art time in because I can’t sit up because by the time I get home from my day job, I’m too dizzy and have to lay down.

I find that keeping a decluttered workspace helps me maintain momentum.

I've been struggling with motivation lately due to severe chronic pain and health stuff. It was really nice to be validated for a change. Thanks for saying what you did, Steve. I can be really hard on myself sometimes. I am motivated through routine... Also the better I feel, the more prolific I am. I have burning a need to paint daily, sometimes my body doesn't always agree. For me, I also have to be in the right headspace to paint- this year has been weird. I have had a lot of ideas but never the right headspace. The one good thing to come out of this is I now have a list of things to paint I keep on my phone.

Thank you for acknowledging the struggles that come with chronic illness. I pressure myself wanting to paint more or be a better painter. Your comments in this video are a perfect reminder to me that I am learning and growing at a pace that is right for my situation. I LOVE painting for gift giving, thats my major motivarion.

Allow yourself to mess up. I put too much pressure on keeping my paper perfect and always having room to improve so I allow myself a “bad” drawing before going on to good paper

Having just watched this video and read the comments, I’m amazed, Steve, at the level of sharing motivated by your honest chat while you completed this beautiful botanical. I knew that I’d been experiencing joy and healing as I watched your many videos - at 78, I’m a sheer beginner who so enjoyed learning some basic techniques from you last winter. Now, I’m back at learning the basics and I watching today, I see that there are many resilient and courageous folks out there who are benefiting from being part of the community you’ve created. You are a skilled teacher and artist on so many levels. Thank you

For me motivation is from new reference, away from my usual subjects, undisturbed free time, inspiring Pinterest pictures, sudden flashes of real moments, reading art magazines, art books, attending art workshops, attending exhibition, just art podcasts, forums , sometimes....giving myself a break from art....will refill my creative juices 😊

"Did you just ghost slap me?" 🤣🤣🤣 I needed that laugh! But I did almost spit out my coffee!

Laughed my ass off when you got ghost slapped. Funny and entertaining vlog. ❤️❤️❤️

I go back to pencil drawings, until I finally draw something that just begs to be painted.

I'm a middle aged pastor's wife with 4 young homeschoolers who just realized she is an artist. How and where I find motivation varies based on my mental strain. Currently, the challenge of learning something completely new has me coming back to my bedroom corner paint table daily. I have found a source of peace and fulfillment in the discipline of learning the skills. The longterm goal of having a sustainable income source keeps me coming too. I appreciate your quote regarding tripping over minutes looking for time... consistent baby steps are more valuable than huge chunks of time. I plan to post the quote over my workspace. I pray you and yours have a safe and healthy Christmas.

Steve, I want to thank you for the info and the comments you have made,they are uplifting to me. I am learning so much about watercolor and drawing, one year ago I got seriously ill, I found out that I will not be able to work again due to the damage to my lungs. so I have had to make a lot of changes, l have always been interested in art and painting. I found you on you tube and I have been hooked, I have also looked at other's and I like them to, but you always bring me back I love your teaching style and your art. Thanks for your time and talents you have shown me, please don't stop, thanks again, Mike

I’m a colored pencil artist who is frustrated by watercolor. I’m motivated by you and others like you. Your process is similar to that of a colored pencil artist’s and I’m inspired by that. It’s ok to noodle around on the paper with a brush. It doesn’t have to be about a bunch of splashing around with a lot of water at warp speed.

I love that you mentioned taking note during times when you do feel motivated!

Absolutely delightful video, thank you Steve. On motivation: an analogy I once saw online was that the creative process is like breathing. Inhaling is absorbing inspiration and other works, while exhaling is you producing works. Both are vital to the creative process. Remember to take breaks - and these can take months if you need them to! And in those breaks, look at other people's works. Read books rather than write them. Increase your artistic vocabulary, find inspiration, and enjoy yourself. You'll find yourself refreshed and ready to produce your own stuff again when you're ready ❤️

I had a large oil painting in progress, a portrait of one of my sons as a child. I had the sketch on and then it got put to the side as deadline pieces cut into my time. It was in the basement that was cool to paint in during summer but too cold and uninviting to spend several hours at during winter months. I left it on the easel for over a year but then I started taking notice of it as I still had to come and go from the basement on a daily basis. At times it mocked me and other times it chastened me but sometimes it called to me softly to take notice of it and then one day I did. I starting making a little game of it. I would stand for a few minutes before the canvas on the easel and started imagining fun new ways to take it and it got so I looked forward to seeing what would emerge from it. For instance the characters on the back of the book he was reading as a child started finding ways to climb out of their ovals and were becoming part of the story he was imagining as he looked off in the distance as I took the photo years ago. (It was me imagining what he might have been imagining, I know.) I couldn't wait to get started on it again. I found a way to include it as part of InkTober with the family....It's not finished but it's further along than it was as I sit upstairs in the warmth and light painting with thread on other projects. I guess what I'm saying here is that leaving the unfinished project where you can see it , if you have that luxury, won't stop you from creating with your mind and you may just come up with some fun additions you might not have thought of in the first place as you hurried it along to a finish in the beginning.

Thank you for this video! Personally, I have discovered, that having someone near me who is painting is the greatest possible motivation...so that is why, watching a video with a good master working does wonders for me..

So true about everything getting old and not being able to work much motivates me so after 4 years I displayed my work on instagram still scared of being not good enough

Really appreciate your empathy for those of us with chronic health problems 🙏

I have MS... my art is an adventure that takes me to where there’s no pain!

Hello, it depends on my mood, sometimes it is as simple as a walk in nature. Music is a huge motivator for me. Then there are times, flipping through endless pictures on Pinterest. A random thought just came to mind. I can remember, watching these beautiful fluffy clouds rolling by one summer day and as I watch them and start picturing different shape I was motivated to be creative. My medium is polymer clay, I paint on the side to change things up. If one medium isn't yielding something for me I go to another. Thank you for listening.

It's so good to see you finish this beautiful botanical painting. Thank you so much for posting on motivation. I hope you and your family are doing well. I get motivated when a new idea strikes, or often, when I take a break to do other things and I see something that rings a bell and makes me think of a new way to approach a new project. I get stuck sometimes when I look at other artists' work and I realize it will take a long, long time (years) and lots of dedication to get to their skill level. I just stop looking at anyone else's art for awhile and I focus only on my own art. Thanks again, Steve. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

I've finally managed to find a very cheap large table that i can use as my dedicated art desk -- it's big and sturdy and only cost £35 delivered because it had an unsightly stain on it (which makes no difference to me). No more struggling with the living room coffee table and having supplies scattered on shelves everywhere. So looking forward to finally having a dedicated art space as the coffee table set up was totally demotivating.

Lol the ghost of paintings past XD that was one of your best intros ever, I love how creative you are in these videos, not just in terms of watercolor painting, but the whole presentation.

Watching videos like yours until the desire to create overwhelms me and then I have no other choice than to make art in whatever form it takes. By the way , this particular video was adorable!! I love how goofy and generous you are, Steve! Thank you for making these videos!!! ❤️

Excellent points ... she said as she ran to clean up her bedroom corner studio! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💕🌸🎨

Thank you for your humor! As a caregiver for the love of my life... he suffered a near fatal accident five years ago... I can look at him and know how far he has come and what he goes through daily. He told me.. I can do anything I set my mind to. So, he is my motivation. He is also a pretty good art critique, gentle but honest. He mother taught him to enjoy art and read poetry. He keeps me painting.

Inspiration is important. I am hooked to a oxygen machine 24/7. I know longer get out, to enjoy adventures, as I once did. I do have a little of memory and a few photos. As a young man I painted landscapes in oil. My interest soon wander to other things. I always thought I would like to try watercolor. However I never got started. My wife was at the discount store a few months back, she brought home some crappy supplies and told me to create a painting. Now the fed ex truck restocks me. Since I can’t get to town to shop. Steve your videos are fun and in sight fil. Thank you

Your suggestions on motivation are very much appreciated - especially the “Don’t trip over minutes looking for hours." Having the work space ready for

Sometimes when I'm unmotivated, I go back to what I love doing: flowers and dogs. My main medium is colored pencil and I create a lot of dog portraits and so I always fall back on the dogs. I even like to do quick sketches of dogs I find on pinterest. I also like to look at past assignments that i've done. I'm currently working towards my BFA in drawing and painting and there are some assignments that I've enjoyed so much that I wouldn't mind creating another piece to go with it. I also like looking through art books that I have. I took a figure drawing class this fall and I have tons of books about drawing the figure and faces, so having those really help with my motivation. I also have a collection of old books about flowers and other things I like to look through.

You nailed it, motivation is such an inside job. Thank you for sharing.

At one point I thought I wasn't going to paint again until my kids moved out of the house. Now I say, "I am painting!", and I let the kids make a mess and clean it up later. Sometumes they paint with me!

"Don't trip over minutes looking for hours." Words of wisdom.

Videos like this can inspire, scenes I see daily and experimenting - recently did a wet blue background and dropped white into it, after it dried I painted a snowy night scene with a full moon, also used cling wrap on wet yellow and orange background, it become fall leaves. Art lowers blood pressure and I love that special zone. Thank you Steve.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. My FAVORITE music gets me motivated. I put on my headphones even just to walk around my house and within minutes I want to start painting.

I am motives by my family and those I love. I painted 35 holiday cards in a snap, whereas it takes me a long time to do a commissioned piece. So I think my heart and love motivates me.

Motivation for me ties greatly with mental health. It is in my being to create, I'm compelled to, but when depressed I can't create anything.

Ive used my friends for inspiration and motivation before. When i didnt know what to paint. I'll send various, random questions to them. "Favorite plants? What super power would you hate to have? Last thing you cooked?" Until something they say clicks. And most of the time i will paint a small something for them. Giving it to someone i cherish makes me want to finish it. So i can see it make them a little happier, even if the moment is fleeting if i can make one moment nicer for them then it'll be worth it.

I take part inopen studios, life drawing groups and urban sketching. Getting together with other artist and creating is a great way to keep myself motivated and encourages me to experiment explore and learn.

I always enjoy watching you paint. From just looking at you paint one wouldn’t think you don’t finish some paintings. I can’t paint unless I’m in the mood. Last year while looking at pictures on the internet I found one of a cardinal on the side of a post. It was the way he was looking at the camera that hit me. His head was turned in such a way that he was watching you with one eye. It looked like he was asking you just who you were. It took me months just looking at this picture before I even started to paint it. Once I started it only took me two weeks to finish it. I called it Cardinal Trump and my friends laughed. When I talk with other people in my building that paint I found that we are having a hard time to paint with all the news of the virus. Funny, this is the time we should be painting more!

I get motivated to do art by the sense of self-discovery it offers. The introspective, meditative, zen-ness of it helps me to unplug from the chaos of the world and find my inner peace. It's also a lot more fun than doing dishes and laundry.

I actually painted more when my kitchen table was my studio. I guess visually seeing the paint and paper moved me. When I’m not motivated I watch RU-vid tutorials. I tell myself at least I’m adding to my knowledge. It can be a crutch though, I need actual brushmiles.

I agree on being tired. There are nights I just know if I try something it'll be a disaster. And it's OK to take a break. Sometimes after a break I come back and I'm amazed that I seem to have made progress while I was resting from it. Sometimes I just make lines or mandalas if I'm tired. Just to rest my mind from a stressful day. I also like discovery and challenges. I love "what would happen if I....?" Thank you for your videos.

my best and easiest motivation is when I have something specific to get done, like entering a contest, something like that. other than that, I have to just "nike" it. the hardest part then is the idea. once I have that in my head then I just start, and once I make it past that hurdle, I roll along. and I always feel so good that I did! I think if I remembered the end, it would be a lot easier to begin.

THANK YOU FOR THIS INSPIRING VIDEO. I SUFFER FROM CRONIC PAIN DUE TO FIBROMYALGIA AND THERE ARE MANY TIMES I HAVE THE DESIRE BUT DUE TO PAIN I'M NOT ABLE TO PAINT. I AGREE WITH YOU ON HAVING A ORGANISED AND CLEAN AREA TO PAINT OR DRAW. WATCHING WATERCOLOR VIDEOS GIVES ME INSIRATION. WHEN I GET NEW BRUSHS, PAINTS, OR OTHER SUPPLIES. I ALWAYS WANT TO TRY THEM OUT AS SOON AS I GET THEM. I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS STEVE, I WATHCH THEM MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO ON PATREON. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.

I wake up very early everyday, and start to draw in a sketchbook..so I feel like if this COVID thing is just driving me crazy at least I got tow or three hours in..I agree about the do a few things to set up, sometimes sweeping the floor works to get us going.!

Really great advice Steve and thanks for sharing it! I paint to relax and enjoy the experience as much as possible. I enjoy painting most when it’s quiet and without distractions.

I know I’m motivated by accountability, so in order to get motivated to go out and paint, I organize a weekly group. Even if no one shows up, they might, so I’m there and working.

I will be returning to this video whenever I need a good laugh (or whenever I need a ghost-slap)! Thanks for sharing all your talents, inspiration, and wisdom with all us Minders out here. Blessings always.

Gorgeous painting. Thanks for the inspiration/support. Health issues keep me from doing art everyday, but I do draw something in pencil or ink several times a week.

I get motivated when someone shares something they like and I can capture it in a drawing or painting as a surprise gift for them.

I am motivated when I have a clean quiet space. I love to just close the door and not be concerned about time. Tfs.

Sometimes it’s easier to focus on when you can’t be productive than what motivates me, so I really like taking a moment to note when I am motivated. Also like the baby steps approach. I always feel better when I start seeing things being prepared, printed, value sketches, just wish I could get out and go to some of the places I love and work. Soon, people, soon!

Thank you Steve! I think that we needed that! Personally I get motivated when I see a picture or another painting that I wish I could paint! I am still a newbie but I’m working on improving and I notice improvement with each new painting (even those that I throw out!) which helps keep me going! I do have chronic pain so what I do is take breaks, getting warm helps me, and then I approach a painting like the old saying of eating an elephant..one bite at a time, which also helps me gain insight as to what the painting needs next. I cherish the “winners” and just realize with the others that everyone had to learn! Thank you for your inspiration!!💕

Yay! This is so timely! I had to put aside my own art to ensure I could make it through my friend’s wedding (one of the chronically ill viewers). And I’m just trying to sneak in art on my better days. But I kind felt like I forgot my process in the mean-time. The baby steps tip totally reminded me what works best for me. I just start with the smallest task with no intention of doing more. If I feel well enough at the end of that task, I find I usually have the motivation to continue. Also watching YT art videos helps.

I stay motivated by painting what brings me joy. Sometimes this is original art and other times I paint tutorials to practice my skills. I also try not to limit myself to certain supplies. Some of my ideas work best with less expensive paper and paint.

Your words on this topic are so kind and gentle. I've been through some hellacious times of block and paralysis and it's a very painful condition. I shudder to think of it now. What has ultimately helped me through the worst times is to take all the pressure off and nurture myself as I would a small child. Would I guilt, shame, or push a child to create art? No! That child is the uninhibited playful joy of creating before the self consciousness crept in and all the yukky stuff that shuts me down. So self nurturing is key for me. I will often just play with my materials. Paint colors I like and draw whatever lines and shapes I feel like, without any planned outcome, just for fun. At first I felt like I was wasting time and ruining sketchbook pages, but when I look back at this kind of work, I really love those pages and realize their value.

I find an orderly space is important as well as some good music to paint by is helpful.

Thank you for this video. I'm going through a tough time and my art keeps me going. Painting is healing for me and leads me beside quiet waters and restores my soul as I navigate the roller coaster of grief. Thanks for your humor, kindness and verses at the end of each video.

A 20 minute brisk walk is rejuvenating. Head cleared. Now paint.

You are so darned cute! 😂 Steveneeezer

I’m so glad you did this video about art motivation (and great intro with wonderful sense of humour- broke me up with good belly laugh at ghost slap)! Retirement has been tough-no more job I loved for most of those years when creativity, truth, and people mattered .... but enough of that ... having lots of chronic pain from multiple hip replacements (just wore them out with great sports and lots of travel) which seemed to change my life in ways I couldn’t imagine because my former active hobbies which were so much of who I am were done, gone, zip. Luckily I’ve always done some arty, creative things over the years beginning in grade school with big win of $2 check for 3rd prize in the annual poppy poster contest (5th grade I think & wow what a motivator!!) plus lots of other things like making all my Christmas cards one year, starting many journals with a few little illustrations here & there (finishing a couple but mostly not before they got packed into a box before a move but only pulled out in mass lately), knit sweaters with yarn I made and dyed wonderful mostly bright colors, an art course or two while getting various degrees allowed me to carve out time for art creativity and a box of art supplies to return to every so often as needed! Creative outlets are critical: happiness, expression of all kinds, a bit of routine in chaotic world, a way to keep on keepin’ on with learning, expressing, building confidences, honing intuitive skills, calming influence despite the sometimes utter zaniness of water colours ..... practicing observation skills and counting to 10 or 30 or .....allowing for development of self-soothing skills..... just fo it. It’s good for me and you and everyone around us! 🙏👍🥂 👏🍻 🍦👏

Thank you for mentioning chronic health problems! I have ME/cfs (got it when I was only 25) and I’m always fatigued and in pain! I have had to simplify my art projects, paint smaller and use mediums like soft pastels where you don’t have to work with drying paints. Your spontaneous watercolor paintings have also been extremely inspiaring to me! Thank you for a great video! ☺️ all the best!

Being an educational assistant, I get motivated by the kids I work with.

Thanks Steve, I think feeling good and secure is important, then we can more easily get outside of our self and think of others. The organized studio is a must. Happy holidays everyone!

Keeping things small helped me. I live in a rental room and have very little room for anything extra. I bought a sakura koi travel pallet and colours that also has a tiny little easel built into it. It had everything I needed to paint and it took up zero of my living space and because the paintings were so small I could start and finish a painting within an hour. So my time constraint was also subverted.

Thank you. I have 3 chronic issues and my art takes my mind off of it for a while so that is my motivation. Now at the end of the day that may make my pain worse but at least for a while I was distracted. Also I paint and gift them to friends and seeing the memories my paintings bring back to them means the world to me.

I’m motivated by beautiful color combinations and nature. I am also very motivated by watching videos like this one where I see things that are possible. I love this painting! Beautiful!

I snort laughed at your introduction! I think you missed your calling in the performing arts! Motivation is difficult. Good health, adequate sleep, healthy meals and exercise help me to feel energetic enough to paint. Letting go of expectations and being kind to myself helps hush that inner critic that says my art will never be as good as (fill in the blank). Loose, expressive sketching without worrying about "getting it right" can be helpful if you concentrate on realism as I do. My focus is botanic art which requires precision and meticulousness so a nice wet, splashy sketch with a juicy quill brush helps me warm up to the subject and sharpens my observational skills. Changing media can help too... I use both watercolor and colored pencils and find switching up can break the monotony. Last of all, if I get too frustrated I go outside and do something exertional to blow the cobwebs away, whether it's a brisk walk, pulling weeds or mowing the lawn. It helps me come back with a fresh perspective. Love your videos Steve. They have been a major part of my painting journey and I am grateful for the content you create. Thanks!

Sometimes when I see things on RU-vid, it motivates me. Recently I am fascinated by demonstrations on the Gelli Plate. I have not done printing and the techniques are intriguing to me. I think about how to incorporate them in my own works.

Thanks for the inspiring video! If I don’t feel motivated to paint, then I go do something else that makes me happy. Some things I might do include: Take a walk, look at nature, spend time with my kids (that could go either way), cuddle with my dog, look at other art, check out a tutorial with a different technique, paint color swatches. I find I have a sweet spot during the day that I like to paint. Between 12:30 pm and 4 pm. I’ll paint at night some, but usually I’m just too tired by then!

i deal with chronic pain and vision loss so for me art is just something therapeutic i do to keep me from falling into a deep depression. so on days i dont feel motivated or feel like doing anything i will either pull out a completely different medium that i dont use much to get me motifivated or just play with my supplies without concentrating on creating anything specific kinda l;ike doodles but with paint instead

I’m motivated whenever I watch talented artists like you. ❤️❤️❤️

Hi Steve I just had to let you know that I’ve just about watched every one of your videos and I just love the way you teach us. After many years of deco painting with acrylic I’m so glad to have taken up water colour and I’m hooked. Your tutorials on trees are fantastic and have helped so much. I’m about to order Arches paper thanks to you and cannot wait to try it. I also love your humour and the quality of your editing, filming etc. I also love Star Wars. You are my watercolour Jedi. I think I better head to Patreon. Thank you for your inspiring art pieces and great advice. Much appreciated. Cheers from Melbourne Australia 👏

Working out of my bedroom when i can focus without pain. Love watercolor

Thanks for sharing this Steve - your words mean a great deal and they are truly inspiring. As a newcomer to drawing and painting, I find motivation in play and experimentation. I like to ask myself "what if" a lot. I am taking pastel pencil classes and recently become interested in graphite. I find myself asking "what if I tried these pastel drawings in graphite?" Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't, but the act of experimentation and personal discovery brings me joy to keep trying. Several years ago I co-taught a homeschool art class and marveled how kids aren't afraid to tackle anything. They dive right in and their spirit is wonderful. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

This was a great video! My inspiration comes from nature and primarily flowers. Visiting a nature preserve, park, or gardens gets my mind thinking in terms of brushes and palettes. When I don't particularly feel motivated to paint I will look at my photos or browse through art books. Then I go to my art space and just play with abstract watercolors until I feel the urge to paint something specific. In these rough times we are living through now art is my therapy so a lot of my motivation comes from trying to escape the news, the quarantine, and the fact that we can't see our friends or attend our art association meetings. That palette looks awesome. How do you like it?

Lovely painting, lovely message, lovely person you are!! 🌻

I'm motivated by nature, other artist's work (eg your bird paintings, always), and an organised workspace. I also find my motivation is strongly influenced by my own success/failures. If I really struggle with a piece, I might not pick up a paintbrush for a month after just because I talk myself out of it whereas when I've made something I'm proud of, I'll paint consistently for days after. I had a good laugh at your ghostly self and loved the video, thank you Steve!

Do not ignore inspiration when it hits you ... usually when you least expect it ... make a note ... print the pic you saw ... put it where you will see it and dwell on what you have thought about, and how you think it will be done ... put at least some of the supplies there with it ... at first opportunity DO IT! Your original inspiration is your key ... forcing art from external motivation stomps inspiration down ... sure, sometimes you must force yourself to do production, but that is WORK, not art ... looking at and experiencing God' Creation gives me the most inspiration ...

This is exactly what I needed to see today, both the apple blossoms and the encouragement. I found this year that keeping an iPad handy helps keep me motivated. Learning to paint digitally helped me problem solve in my analog art and vice-versa. I know I am having a very VERY bad day when I don't bring out any art supplies, even the iPad. Yes, chronic illness here too. But knowing that getting into that art zone helps keep my mind off of pain and fatigue keeps me prolific. Happy New Year to everyone!

Steve I love your humor. Love the ghost. What a great idea.. And thank you for all the motivation suggestions. That has been a large problem the last 9 months. Hopefully you and your wife are well and ready for Christmas. Enjoy the season. Happy New Year.

I have been discovering watercolor for two months already. I am taking baby steps. When I am tired or depressed I can’t do much painting it studying. I also sleep ver poorly. So far I love watercolor. I never thought I could learn watercolor. I have finished a few paintings. Thank you for this very kind ans validating content

One of the biggies, I have to have a clean, uncluttered area to paint. I hate having to dig for supplies or move this to get to that. If I can steal 10 minutes for my art, I want that to be putting paint on canvas. I don’t always take time to do a lot of prep landing. Sometimes just putting big juicy washes will get the creative juices flowing and I’ll settle for a finished piece. Great session!

I have chronic back pain at the moment. I had to force myself to get some paints out but, once I was set up, I did an abstract to reflect what I was feeling. I was so busy counting vertebrae & enjoying a new super granulating colour I got my mitts on, I was able to forget about the back pain. Until I could no longer sit down & had to try and move......😆. Love your channel, thank you.

The Urban Sketchers chapters with which I am involved motivate me. In the “before times” it would be outings a few times a month. So much fun to draw with others and share what we’ve made. Now we can’t meet but there are still the on line communities. I’ve even joined in virtual outings with the group in Yorkshire. I sketched with them a year ago while traveling but now I can sketch with them on line.

Thank you Steve. I love drawing and painting flowers and birds, but unfortunately I was criticized by some people because that's all that I paint/draw. For that reason I felt unmotivated and really down. The encouragement of my husband, kids and my mother keeps me motivated and I appreciate that a lot. Your youtube channel also motivates me a lot. Thank you for sharing your skills and wisdom.

That ghost-slap is killer! Never under estimate an artist wearing a bed sheet. LOL! I am one of those people who if the laundry isn’t done, floors vacuumed, etc. (and that’s after a long day at a non-art related job), I can’t get into my zen zone. I’m so happy on those rare occasions where everything is done and I still have the energy to sculpt or paint.

I am motivated by classes, other people's sketchbooks, art talks with friends, but I rarely do finished work.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on motivation. It reminded me of so many things I already know but forgot. I so love this painting. I'm glad you finally finished it!

I gave myself too many excuses why I wasn't painting, but at the root was this lack of confidence that I don't have any talent. I hated how my paintings turned out. It took me 50 years to realize that you have to keep practicing and do it before your paintings will look good. Well for me anyway. So I am now retired and have no excuses and plenty of time to practice. I am motivated by the results of my paintings and get many sincere compliments, even from art instructors! Being happy with the final product makes me want to go on to the next project. I just finished painting 30 Christmas cards and can't wait for everyone to open their envelope. PS..I also have chronic illnesses - pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis. It is the arthritis that makes it the hardest to function on a daily basis, but even that is not stopping me. Thanks for allowing me to share my story.

Very helpful thank you. I will stop beating myself up and feeling ashamed about not painting/drawing more. I’ll be kinder to myself and do what I can. Loved it when you said don’t step over the minutes looking for the hours and a lot of what you said really made so much sense to me.

I've been on CPap TX for 14 years now...what a difference !

What a fantastic video!! We need more like this :)