art nurture
  • home
  • about
    • contact
  • my book
    • the simple guide bonuses
  • work with court
    • 1-on-1 Creativity Cultivation Sessions
    • The Cultivators Community
    • Art School
  • kind words
  • Free
  • Asheville Workshops




 

 
​

Want to receive weekly tips on cultivating your creativity?
Join the Art Nurture Newsletter!
sign me up!

Why I do this Art Nurture Thing and my secret sauce for getting back that Creative Spark!

8/22/2013

14 Comments

 
In this short video I share with you more about my story and how Art Nurture began, first as a personal journey and then to share with others. 

I also share with you my secret sauce for getting that creative spark back...Hint: Think childhood fun! 
Now I want to hear from you!

What helps you get your creative spark back?

What helps you to step away from the grind of adulthood and gets you into a more playful creative mood?

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please share it with others!

Want to stay up to date with Art Nurture updates? Join the newsletter!

As always, keep cultivating that creativity! We need you to live life with the soul of an artist!

Talk to you soon, 
Court McCracken
14 Comments
Shana link
8/22/2013 03:45:52 pm

Love this, Court. Inspirational and insightful. And I agree, purple is pretty cool, as is Harold. Your posts always make me smile.

Reply
Court link
8/23/2013 06:19:12 am

Thank you, Shana. This one made me smile too : )

Reply
Elise link
8/22/2013 03:54:18 pm

Court,
Thanks for sharing your story about Art Nurture. I love your mission & message and way to connect with people. I really related to what you said about losing that playfulness...

Reply
Court link
8/23/2013 06:20:47 am

Elise, it is a true tragedy of adulthood when we lose our playfulness, one I have often fallen prey to....Looking for beautiful and exciting ways to keep that as an integrated part of life has been a way to not only unleash my creativity, but lighten the load of life as well : )

Reply
Aimelie Ronquillo link
8/22/2013 08:47:25 pm

Thanks for sharing your story and I definitely relate to it!! For me, when I'm trying to bring my creative spark back, i usually take a trip somewhere and just get out of my element, whether it's just a day trip driving out in the country or taking a trip overseas somewhere, travel is a big part of what gets me back on track.

Reply
Court link
8/23/2013 06:23:29 am

Aimelie,
I totally agree that a bit of adventure and travel, taking yourself out of your familiar element, is one of the best ways to get that sparkle back. Being stuck in a routine does not bode well for creativity. Not that showing up diligently and regularly to the creative work is not important, but shaking things up on a regular basis ( I like to plan some shake ups and make some spontaneous) keeps that creative flow going. Excellent, point, Aimelie! That is also I why I want to take Art Nurture to Spain next summer for an Andalusian Adventure!

Reply
Sonja Keller link
8/25/2013 07:54:38 pm

Hey great post! Hmmm....listening to music, being in the garden and doing craft with my 4 year old daughter gets my creative juices flowing. Clowning around, singing silly songs and pulling faces gets me away from the grind of adulthood and into a nice light space where everything is beautiful. Great vid by the way!

Reply
Court link
8/26/2013 04:54:08 pm

Awesome, Sonja! Sounds like you know how to stay playful! Having a 4 year old daughter I'm certain is a beautiful reminder to keep those creative juices freely flowing...absolutely beautiful!

Reply
Melissa link
8/26/2013 03:32:55 am

Nice post Court! Love your purple crayons and your ideas about playfulness. It is a constant challenge to mix the business side and the creative side.

Reply
Court link
8/26/2013 04:57:48 pm

Yes, Melissa, you are so right. When your creativity is your livelihood, other elements of difficulty present themselves: do I keep doing what I know and what sells or do I branch out and try something new? What will my clients think? How do I reach an audience for what I really want to do and the work that is authentic to my creative process? I actually have to schedule myself "play dates" where I do experiments in my creative process with my work so that I don't get bogged down in what I know and continuing to do only that....so that I can explore new possibilities while still maintaining a solid practice. It is a tough balance to strike and requires constant recalibration, bravery, business skills, and also...play! I'd love to hear more from you about your journey so far!

Reply
Sabrina @ MyMiBoSo link
8/27/2013 01:09:29 pm

Thank you for this, Court - I love when you said "don't be scared to play, don't be scared to imagine something new."

I have been personally experiencing some heavy feelings, and I'm so grateful for the tools I have at my disposal to bring back in the light...but for some reason, I had forgotten about the simple act of PLAYING.

Getting out my notepad and crayons right now and indulging my inner artist a little :)

Reply
Court link
8/28/2013 01:44:10 pm

Amazing! I love that you got your crayons out! It is amazing...the amazing power of PLAY! Within one project I"m working on in my studio, if I simply shift my perspective to play and invite playfulness by saying, "I wonder what will happen if...." the work flows so much more freely!

Reply
Theressa link
8/29/2013 05:23:53 pm

Hey Court! I loved this video. Because of the nature of my work, I used to find it extremely hard to unplug. Fearful I'd fall behind or miss something. Until, I finally did it for almost 2 weeks straight! (with the odd check in on my phone of course).

But oh my god! The fresh ideas + the new perspective I came back with! What a blessing.

Needless to say, unplugging is my #1 strategy along with laughter of course :)

Reply
Court link
8/31/2013 09:29:18 am

Theressa,
What a beautiful lesson. It can be so hard to unplug and kudos to you for making a commitment to a two week unplug! Amazing!

Recently I heard a term FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)! I realize it is ridiculously hard to unplug in our work worlds, with the fear that someone else will beat us to our good ideas or something...unplugging and playing are where the good ideas come from though!

The refreshed perspective and energy are where the benefits lie : ) We can't keep going without them!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Art Nurture Book Trailer


    Get The Book! 

    Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating your Creativity

    Get to know me


    Court McCracken,
    Creativity Cultivator

    Picture

    To receive more Art Nurture goodness, join the Art Nurture newsletter!

    * indicates required


    Kind Words

    "Court has a knack for supporting others in tuning into the artist within..." 
    -Rebecca Stares

    read more kind words

    Resources


    Court's Reading List


    Most Popular


    The Top 17 Reasons Why The World Needs You to be an Artist


    Want to get creative? Laugh a little bit more!


    Three Simple Ways to Live a Life of 
    Daily Inspiration


    Reason #1 Why the World Needs You 
    to be an Artist


    My 8 Step Process for Moving Through Creative Anxiety

Work with Court
My Book
Court's Reading List
Free
About Court & Art Nurture
"If preparing to work with Court you should know that you will be challenged to be your best self and you will be given tools for how to do so. 

You may also find yourself realizing dreams and vocations that may have been easier in the short term to keep hidden, but overall will allow you to embrace this creative part of yourself and live more fully."   -Faith Josephs 
  • home
  • about
    • contact
  • my book
    • the simple guide bonuses
  • work with court
    • 1-on-1 Creativity Cultivation Sessions
    • The Cultivators Community
    • Art School
  • kind words
  • Free
  • Asheville Workshops
✕