Creative Spark: How to unleash your inner artist

“One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way.”

-- Vincent Van Gogh

Does that Van Gogh quote ring true for you? Do you ever feel that you are struggling on alone, tending the blazing heart in your soul while others pass by unaware?

I know I have often felt that way. My friends and family are not fans of my work. Actually that's not quite true - one friend has bought a few pieces. But mostly, my friends and family are indifferent. Some don't really care about art and others like art, but not mine. 

They are all lovely people, so they are supportive and kind of course, but their lack of interest is obvious, as is their lack of understanding.

When I first started painting, this made life very challenging... I needed some kind of feedback, but there was no-one to give it. The most I ever got was "That's nice," said back in the days when my work was representational. As soon as I veered into distorted self portraits and abstract landscapes, the complements dried up completely.

This never bothered me - why should they suddenly learn all about art just because I have? I certainly haven't learned all about trains, or woodwork, or David Bowie, or genealogy just because they care about those things.

And so I muddled on alone until I found an online artist community. Suddenly everything changed. There were people who could share my excitement about a new crayon discovery, or answer my questions about framing. Suddenly I was among people who understood (and cared!) about line quality, and design elements, and what happens when you mix complementary colours together.

That support helped so much, but I still wanted more. I also wanted education and inspiration. I wanted to learn how to paint and I wanted to understand how to generate ideas for my work. I had to find these things in other places (courses and workshops mainly). 

So when I got myself more established, I had the idea to create something I hadn't found anywhere else. A place where people could learn painting skills; where they could find ideas and inspiration; and where they could become part of a lovely, supportive community. 

This idea became theArt Tribe membershipwhich launched in February 2020 (exactly one month before the whole world closed down). Since then, Art Tribe has grown into a truly amazing resource. Until now, I have struggled to explain just how amazing it is! I have tried different ways to describe it to people but how do you say "it's everything you need" without sounding nuts.

If you've ever tried to write about your art, you know how hard it can be. You're attached to this work. You've poured your heart and soul into it. But finding the words to describe it? That can feel near impossible. 

But a lightbulb went off for me this week, and I think this might help you. What I realised is that I needed to simply write the truth. Art Tribe is hard to describe because it offers so much more than anything else on the market  ... it's not a course, it's way more than that. It's not just a community, it's way more than that. It's not just creative inspiration, it's way more than that. 

My struggle to describe it actually gives me the answer.

The same is likely true for you and your art. 

One artist recently said: "I don't know how to describe my work because it's very intuitive. I don't start with a concept or a plan. I simply paint and let the image emerge. It's magical in a way."

She felt totally stuck, and yet do you see? In explaining the problem, she found the solution. That is the perfect description of her artwork. It will intrigue buyers, it will spark conversation, and it will be easy for her to talk about it because it's true. 

So to go back to Art Tribe, and all of those artists out there tending their hearths alone, here is what I have come up with:

Art Tribe is an art course, an artist community, and a constant source of creative inspiration. You'll find a rich tapestry of educational resources, including in-depth classes on everything from finding your style to honing your technique. There's no shortage of inspiration, with a steady flow of ideas, creative challenges and prompts to spark your creativity.

But it's not just about what you'll learn; it's also about who you'll meet. Our community is a place where artists like you come together to share ideas, give and receive feedback, and form connections that extend far beyond the canvas.

And all this for less than the price of meal out. PLUS, you get 30 days to try us out without paying a penny! 

Please note: if you are currently taking the Find Your Joy course, don't sign up until the course ends. You have enough on your plate!

If you'd like to give Art tribe a try, just click the button and let's get started :)