We all become discouraged now and then. The discouragement may be due to any number of situations or events in life. For the artist the discouragement may be related to one or all of the following:

1. a lack of artistic inspiration or creativity—“Have I lost my touch?”
2. being overwhelmed by the process—“Where if anywhere can I find assistance?”
3. a change in responsibilities—“What happened to my creative time?”
4. seeing no payoff for the time and effort—“Is it time to give up?

Some of these questions or situations were addressed if only briefly in a few of the first articles in this series which were written for young people contemplating whether or not to pursue life as an artist for the long haul. Rereading those entries may help you regain your focus and help you answer the question, “Why did I start this journey in the first place?” The answer is, “Because you are an artist.” No one said you can’t take a break from the artwork and the promotion of the artwork. You will most likely have to take several breaks from the process throughout your lifetime. This does not mean you have ever given up on your talent. It just means it may be time to take another temporary breather.

Let’s look at each of these discouraging situations and consider what they may mean:

1. a lack of artistic inspiration or creativity—“Have I lost my touch?” If you have already been creating art for several years, you likely have some measure of talent. Talent doesn’t go away. You may have developed obstacles to creating new work such as arthritis or other health issues, but the talent itself does not go away. Your lack of inspiration or even motivation is likely temporary. Remember that this is a lifelong endeavor and your subconscious (or God) may simply be telling you it is time to rest your creative mind for awhile. If you believe your recent lack of creativity to be more than a lack of inspiration (such as depression), seek the help of a doctor.
2. being overwhelmed by the process—“Where if anywhere can I find assistance?” When you do all your own production and all your own promotion you may often feel that you are wearing too many hats. Independent art is a specialized field of work and therefore assistance may always be difficult to find. People don’t study to become “an artist’s assistant.” If you don’t yet have much of a relationship with God, this is a great time to start developing one. Spiritual help is far more effective than is human help. Humans are imperfect. You don’t necessarily need to join a church, but it wouldn’t hurt you to crack the Bible once in awhile. You will be surprised at what you discover about yourself and about God. In the words of a wise grandma, “God helps those who help themselves.”
3. a change in responsibilities—“What happened to my creative time?” Someone came along, you are thinking about marriage, you are expecting a child, you are now caring for an elderly parent, whatever the case may be, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will never again have time for your artwork. Even events that are non-family or non-relationship related, such as a seeming creative derailment can soon manifest itself as a new creative direction or a new avenue for promotion that you would never have thought of before. Such seeming upheavals may be the catalyst for a change in outlook or perspective which may add depth to your work.
4. seeing no payoff for the time and effort—“Is it time to give up?” No. Look at the body of work you have created. You should feel accomplished. Creating artwork has given your life meaning and purpose you may not have had without that activity. Again, it may just be time to take a little break, not give up. You knew that life as an artist holds no guarantees for outcomes. Nor does any other life choice if you are realistic. It is what you make it. That is why it is considered a journey. You choose your theme (your instrument, genre or creative mode, etc.), work at it and see where it leads you. Assuming you’ve made good decisions, being responsible in all aspects of your life, things will happen when they are supposed to. Eat nutritious foods, get a little exercise now and then, get a good night’s sleep and you will wake up convinced you are still on the right track.

There are likely many other situations that bring discouragement, especially to an artist. Remember that you are not the only artist to have been in difficult situations. Such is life. A wine connoisseur once said that the harder a wine berry must struggle to find water, the more character the wine will have. Struggles will give you strength of character. Observe your creative efforts in tangible form and you will feel accomplished for all of your time well spent. Continue adding to your body of work and you will have no regrets. You are an artist. Look for the article about healthy activities to engage in during your breaks from your artwork and promotion.