Creating the conditions to make your best art
Most people think creativity is about inspiration—waiting for that magical moment when ideas arrive fully formed, ready to be brought to life. But real creativity isn’t about waiting. It’s about creating the right conditions so that inspiration has space to show up.
Recently, I wanted to start a new series, but I knew from experience that if my space was chaotic, my mind would quickly follow. When there’s too much around me—unfinished work, random materials, visual clutter—I find myself getting creatively muddled, jumping from one thing to another without clear focus. So before I even picked up a brush, I tried to set myself up for success.
I completely cleaned and organized my studio, leaving out only the materials I planned to use.
I prepped all my panels so there would be no delay when I was ready to paint.
I sorted my palette, deciding in advance what colors I wanted to use.
I removed anything irrelevant—unfinished paintings that weren’t part of this series, extra supplies, distractions—and put them out of sight.
I made a playlist that connected to my subject, helping me tap into the right mood.
By the time I was ready to start, everything around me was supporting the work I wanted to create. No clutter. No distractions. No resistance. Just a space that made it as easy as possible to dive in.
What Are Your Best Creative Conditions?
Every artist has a unique process. Some thrive in a quiet, distraction-free space, while others need music or background noise. Some do their best work early in the morning; others hit their creative stride late at night. Some need a structured plan, while others need total freedom.
The trick is to understand how you work best—and then set up your environment to support that.
Take a moment to think about: When do you feel most creatively energized? What helps you get started? What usually stops you from creating? What small changes could make the process easier?
Most creative blocks aren’t about a lack of talent or ideas—they’re about resistance. Maybe you avoid starting because your space is cluttered. Maybe you procrastinate because you feel overwhelmed by all the decisions. Maybe your inner critic gets so loud that you talk yourself out of even trying. Instead of wrestling with these blocks in the moment, try setting yourself up for success before they have a chance to stop you.
A few ideas:
If clutter overwhelms you, tidy your space at the end of each session so it’s ready for next time.
If decision-making stalls you, set a simple intention before you begin (e.g., Today, I’m focusing on movement and energy).
If your inner critic gets in the way, start with playful, low-pressure warm-ups so you ease into creating before judgment kicks in.
The goal isn’t to force creativity—it’s to make it feel natural and inevitable. Some days, motivation will be high, and starting will feel effortless. Other days, you’ll need to trick yourself into beginning. That’s normal. What matters is that you design your creative life in a way that supports your process, rather than fights against it.
So this week, ask yourself: What’s one small change I can make to create better conditions for my art? Because when you build an environment where creativity flows, you don’t have to wait for inspiration—you’re already ready for it :)