Inspiration

Here is a short collection of quotes on the creative process. It seems that to simply go about the daily business of living and hope that inspiration strikes you is not the way that most of the greats made it happen. Most surprising to me was to hear about Picasso, with his wildly interpretive paintings, having a daily routine.

Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working. - Pablo Picasso
or
You are not always inspired but it's a good thing to be working when inspiration hits you. - Pablo Picasso

I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp. - Somerset Maugham

Doing the same thing at the same time every day seemed to prep my brain to think on it and inspirations seemed much easier to come by as a result of conditioning. Lightning Bolts from Routine; who knew? - Unknown Writer

Old Adage about guitar playing: It’s not how many years you play; it’s how many hours you play.

I HAVE to write something everyday. I just stay at it and hang on with my teeth until it comes out. - Bob Dylan

Every day I get up, have my coffee, and go to my “office”, sit down at the piano and write for eight hours a day. I don't write hits all the time, but it gives me a deeper understanding of my relationship with myself, my creative process and my art. - Nick Cave

“Inspiration is for amateurs. I just get to work.” — Chuck Close

I may need to modify my routine of doing everything else I need to in a day, lying down, closing my eyes real tight and hoping I come up with something brilliant before I fall asleep.
Femme à la resille (Woman in a hairnet), 1938, by Pablo Picasso. Collection of Julian and Josie Robertson, New York; ©