First, ask yourself "why am I making this?" Reflecting on this question will help you understand what you need to focus on.

Is it to feel good?

Is it to learn the skill of drawing something representational accurately?

Is it to express a "concept"?

Is it for another reason?

At the beginning of my art journey, I made art to have fun (I felt good making things.. regardless of how it looked)... Then it was to draw something accurately (I enjoyed the structure and challenge this created). Then the goal was to make art with a concept (honestly this was pushed on me by "Art college/experts" and ended up making me feel burned out and unworthy of making art on and off for years).

Now, my motivation for making art has evolved into a mix of all of these (as the years go by, I am learning and reminded balance is often the answer).

Even though I am making art for a mix of reasons, I am intentionally focusing on FUN.

WHY? Because FUN is why I started in the first place; I lost sight of FUN over the years, including the joy that having FUN brings me.

(Oh! please keep in mind, you don't have to make art for the same reason as me. We are HuMaN after all and we like DiFferEnT things! WOO!)

Below is a list of each motivation and a recommendation on how to improve your art for each.

To feel good.

Make a creative process that supports you feeeeeling goooood! If you want to have fun, create a process that encourages you to have fun. If you want time to relax and unwind.. create a process that encourages relaxation! Do you often have thought of "this isn't good enough" "This is ugly".. OR maybe someone else has told you these things (Don't let 'em get you down)!!

Remember why you started, you may need to focus on enjoying the process of playing with paint rather than judging your end result. I realized that by letting go of the unrealistic or outside expectations, you will actually start to enjoy both the process and the final work much more.

To draw something representational.

You CAN do this! It requires dedication and lots and lots of practice. I truly believe you can draw anything you want... it just takes time to do it. I recommend lots of practice and taking some drawing/painting lessons that focus on this skill. And remember not to beat yourself up if what you make doesn't turn out as you expected. Over time, and lots of practice, your drawing skills will begin to align with what you are trying to draw.

To create conceptual work.

This has been a love and (hate) goal for me. When people keep saying, "you MUST have a concept," "if you don't have a concept it isn't "good "art." Remember, that is THEIR opinion and it doesn't have to be yours. But, if you would like to create work with a concept because YOU want to please do.

So how to create better conceptual art? This requires you to practice both technical skills and conceptual thinking skills. If you are aiming for conceptual work, I recommend writing down what and why you are trying to express something to get a better understanding of your "concept." Then to improve how you are sharing this with the viewer, brainstorm different ways to connect your what and why with visuals that help your concept.

Some people may say that a concept must be an emotionally deep topic or a topic surrounding social justice; these are important and valid concepts, but they aren't the only way to have one. Make a list of all the things that you'd feel passionate enough about to create art and then keep narrowing that list down until you've found the thing you want to make.

To do a mix of some? ALL??

Or maybe you are realizing you like a mix of both! (there is no "right" way in art, just what serves you (a wonderful, UnIqUe individual) the best!

I enjoy making art for a spectrum of reasons, and I enjoy each version in different ways. If you are in this boat, try a mixture of the above.

- Kelli :)