Rethinking Creativity: What The Creative Act Taught Me About Making Art
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Creating for Yourself: Lessons from The Creative Act
One of the biggest struggles of being an artist is that little voice in the back of your mind whispering, Will anyone want this? It can be distracting, sometimes even paralyzing. But Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act helped me shift my perspective in a way that feels freeing.
Create for Yourself—Not for Others
The biggest takeaway for me? Create for yourself—no one else.
Rubin emphasizes that creativity isn’t about chasing approval or worrying about how something will be received. It’s about following your own instincts, making what excites you, and trusting that the process itself is enough. If you’re not making something for someone else, then the pressure of “Will this sell?” or “Will people like it?” starts to fade.
Well… somewhat. Let’s be real, it’s hard to turn that off completely. But the reminder helps.
Breaking the Sameness: The Power of Play
Another idea that stuck with me is his concept of play. He encourages breaking patterns—what he calls “breaking the sameness” (page 183). The idea is to constantly explore new methods, try different tools, and shake things up while still developing your own creative process.
Experimentation keeps things fresh, and it also helps you stay connected to the joy of creating instead of getting stuck in habits that might dull your inspiration.
How I’m Applying These Ideas to My Art
Because of this book (and Rubin’s expert advice), I’m making a conscious effort to bring more play and exploration into my art.
Try new tools just to see how they change the outcome
Paint for myself, not for an audience
Experiment with brushes I don’t normally use
Explore new styles and different ways of applying paint
Use colors outside my comfort zone
Quiet the mind chatter and immerse myself in the moment
The goal? To let go of overthinking and just create.
A Book That’s Easy to Absorb
One last thing I love about The Creative Act—the way it’s structured. It’s divided into 78 short sections, or as Rubin calls them, areas of thought. Each one is its own little insight, which makes it feel like you’re flying through the book.
You can pick it up, read just a few pages, and walk away with something meaningful to chew on. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just teach—you feel it shifting your mindset as you go.
Final Thoughts
I love when books do more than just share ideas—they change the way you see things.
The Creative Act isn’t just about art; it’s about the mindset behind making anything. And right now, it has me rethinking my approach, loosening up, and remembering why I started creating in the first place.
Get the book here: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin https://amzn.to/40RrT1O
