Famous creativity quotes to get you inspired

Sometimes when we’re producing new art pieces, we need a little pick-me-up quote to lift our spirits. And maybe you need a touch of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing? Well, you've come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 27 of our favourite creativity quotes from famous artists you’ll know and love, to help you get out of your creative rut.

Simply read on to find out what they are, and how to push past that creative block…

Quotes and art: How they relate

Much like art, quotes are said (and written) to be remembered. And there are so many creativity quotes that were published purposefully - to encourage your inner creativity. The aim of this is to help your art journey become easier and subsequently, more achievable! 

Different artists often incorporate inspirational quotes into their work, which you’ll see a lot from those who produce typography art, creating inspirational alphabet posters that spell out words of encouragement. But aside from prints that highlight creative quotes, there are memorable messages that have been said or written by famous artists themselves, like Picasso, Matisse and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

So, without further ado, here are 12 of our favourite creative quotes:

1. “The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good’ sense.” – Pablo Picasso
2. “Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.” – Pablo Picasso
3. “The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
4. “Art is a line around your thoughts.” – Gustav Klimt
5. “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” – Leonardo Da Vinci
6. “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” – Bob Ross
7. “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas
8. “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” – Pablo Picasso

1. “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” – Edward Hopper
2. “In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
3. “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” – Marc Chagall
4. “I invent nothing, I rediscover.” – Auguste Rodin

Creative inspiration quotes

Sometimes we find ourselves needing a little break from what we’re creating, and to get back into a painting or illustration, we need a little pep talk from someone, somewhere. That’s why creative inspirational quotes are perfect; they’re readily (and easily) available for when friends, family or your partner aren’t contactable, or you just want to find inspiration in a flash.

Knowing that the great artists of our time have failed or gotten creative block and carried on (usually) pushes you to keep going, rather than give up on your masterpiece(s). This is the true art of creative quotes, and here are some of our favourites:

1. “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams
2. “An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.” – Charles Horton Cooley
3. “Creative work is a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.” – Steven Pressfield
4. “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced” – Vincent Van Gogh
5. “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse
6. “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been concealed by the answers.” - James Baldwin
7. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” - Henry Ward Beecher
8. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou
9. “In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked fish pond… If we don’t give some attention to upkeep, our well is apt to become depleted, stagnant, or blocked…As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them — to restock the trout pond, so to speak.” – Julia Cameron
10. “Nothing sublimely artistic has ever arisen out of mere art … There must always be a rich moral soil for any artistic growth.” - G.K. Chesterton
11. “The artist has one function–to affirm and glorify life.” - W. Edward Brown
12. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” - Henry Ward Beecher
13. “Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.” Winston Churchill
14. “Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that’s easy. What’s hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” - Charles Mingus
15. The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live only as you can.” – Neil Gaiman

Discover more inspiration from Tall Boy Prints

Now that you know the best creativity quotes out there, it’s time to get inspired further by visiting our blog. Here you’ll discover how-to guides on creating art, the different art styles out there and even craft-making articles filled with fun.

If you’re interested in buying some sublime art prints featuring inspirational quotes, our V&A-inspired Alice in Wonderland art illustrations will suit your every preference. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring!