--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inspiration is the most valuable…" description: "\"Inspiration is the most valuable commodity for an artist; it is for me anyway. I can't move forward in any way if I don't feel a strong spark of excite..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/mark-ryden-31645_art_inspiration-is-the-most-valuable-commodi_1017290.jpg" --- # Inspiration is the most valuable commodity for an artist… ![“Inspiration is the most valuable commodity for an artist; it is for me anyway. I can't move forward in any way if I don't feel a strong spark of excitement or creativity. Sometimes it is very difficult to get things flowing. It's important to be in a peaceful state of mind, and then I invite the…” quote by Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/mark-ryden-31645_art_inspiration-is-the-most-valuable-commodi_1017290.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/mark-ryden-31645_art_inspiration-is-the-most-valuable-commodi_1017290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/mark-ryden-31645_art_inspiration-is-the-most-valuable-commodi_1017290.jpg) > “Inspiration is the most valuable commodity for an artist; it is for me anyway. I can't move forward in any way if I don't feel a strong spark of excitement or creativity. Sometimes it is very difficult to get things flowing. It's important to be in a peaceful state of mind, and then I invite the spirits to come into the studio. I don't stare into a blank canvas or paper. I look through my various collections of books, toys, statues, photographs and other things, and something will trigger an idea. My studio is packed full of things that inspire me.” [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists need a strong inner spark and a calm mind; external stimuli like objects and collections can trigger ideas, making inspiration a tangible resource. **In simple terms:** Inspiration fuels creativity; calm and surroundings help spark ideas. Key Takeaway Cultivate a peaceful environment and surround yourself with inspiring objects. Themes creativity inspiration environment mindset Mood reflective motivational Type advice process When to use this quote - studio setup - creative block - idea generation - artist routine Key Concepts artistic process stimulus response flow state Questions to Reflect On - What objects most reliably spark your ideas? - How do you maintain calm when inspiration wanes? A Different Perspective Even with inspiration, execution may still be hindered by self‑doubt or external pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Blank canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blank-canvas/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canvas/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Excitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excitement/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Moving forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-forward/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Staring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/staring/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [We need to get across the excitement and creativity of science. That it isn't just a list of facts that have already been discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/we-need-to-get-across-the-excitement-and-creativity-of-science-that/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [I think making art is something where you think you know, you also know you don't know and you hope - all these things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-fischl/i-think-making-art-is-something-where-you-think-you-know-you-also/) [Eric Fischl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-fischl/) > [You've got major artists releasing albums on their own and eschewing the major system. I think that breeds excitement and creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elijah-wood/you-ve-got-major-artists-releasing-albums-on-their-own-and-eschewing/) [Elijah Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elijah-wood/) > [Many things inspire me. First and foremost, my family, my husband, and our son. I find that the love we share fills me up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-keys/many-things-inspire-me-first-and-foremost-my-family-my-husband-and/) [Alicia Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-keys/) > [It's New York City, you want to be shown in Times Square. you want your picture there. You want those kind of things. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rj-barrett/it-s-new-york-city-you-want-to-be-shown-in-times-square-you-want-your/) [RJ Barrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rj-barrett/) > [“to inspire people to do the things that inspire them—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/to-inspire-people-to-do-the-things-that-inspire-them/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [When I travel, I love speaking to women around the world about the things that inspire them, the fashions they like, what makes something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/when-i-travel-i-love-speaking-to-women-around-the-world-about-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [I've tried to be open to what's going on and paying close attention, not letting things that inspire me to pass me by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/i-ve-tried-to-be-open-to-what-s-going-on-and-paying-close-attention/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [A lot of things inspire me. Music, for one; in addition to acting, I'm also a musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-ho/a-lot-of-things-inspire-me-music-for-one-in-addition-to-acting-i-m/) [Josie Ho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-ho/) > [The things that inspire people to think are what keeps a film alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wheatley/the-things-that-inspire-people-to-think-are-what-keeps-a-film-alive/) [Ben Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wheatley/) > [When one sings, one does not speak about the problems of the every day. One speaks about the things which inspire us, which helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yannick-noah/when-one-sings-one-does-not-speak-about-the-problems-of-the-every-day/) [Yannick Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yannick-noah/) > [At the end of the day, I love making music and expressing myself and making things that inspire me. The fact that other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-love-making-music-and-expressing-myself-and/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [My motivation is not to try to inspire, but rather to do things that inspire me and hopefully that will spread to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-purdy/my-motivation-is-not-to-try-to-inspire-but-rather-to-do-things-that/) [Amy Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-purdy/) > [Surround yourself with people and things that inspire you. Learn everything you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jameela-jamil/surround-yourself-with-people-and-things-that-inspire-you-learn/) [Jameela Jamil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jameela-jamil/) > [I simply do the things that inspire me, be that snowboarding, designing clothing, or dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-purdy/i-simply-do-the-things-that-inspire-me-be-that-snowboarding-designing/) [Amy Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-purdy/) ## More by Mark Ryden > [People have the idea that an image must stand for something else, that the real meaning needs to be described with language. Instead it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/people-have-the-idea-that-an-image-must-stand-for-something-else-that/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [My painting technique has not changed that much over time, although perhaps I am painting tighter and with more detail, in spite of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/my-painting-technique-has-not-changed-that-much-over-time-although/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [The vast amount of time it takes to make my paintings is very challenging. I have so many exciting ideas I would love to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/the-vast-amount-of-time-it-takes-to-make-my-paintings-is-very/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I believe that beyond the arena of art, the world would be a much better place if centered around a feminine perspective. The world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/i-believe-that-beyond-the-arena-of-art-the-world-would-be-a-much/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [There is a definite moment when a work congeals and crystallizes. Once I am finished with a painting, I am happy to send it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/there-is-a-definite-moment-when-a-work-congeals-and-crystallizes-once/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I liked painting, very early on, even more than drawing. I used poster paint on posterboard. I would copy images that I liked from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/i-liked-painting-very-early-on-even-more-than-drawing-i-used-poster/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [Each painting seems to have a very specific size it wants to be. I have even started a painting or two over just because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/each-painting-seems-to-have-a-very-specific-size-it-wants-to-be-i/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I often look around me and think about this specific place in time, and what things will endure and become objects of nostalgia for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/i-often-look-around-me-and-think-about-this-specific-place-in-time/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [Beyond Brookledge may be the most incredible weekend of entertainment I've experienced in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/beyond-brookledge-may-be-the-most-incredible-weekend-of-entertainment/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [It is the masculine dynamic that has caused our society to place money and corporate profit above human beings. It has allowed the earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/it-is-the-masculine-dynamic-that-has-caused-our-society-to-place/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I find it so much easier to be creatively free at night. Daytime is for sleeping. Nighttime is the best time for making art.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/i-find-it-so-much-easier-to-be-creatively-free-at-night-daytime-is/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [Blood is very powerful. While meat is the substance that keeps our living souls in this physical reality, blood keeps our meat alive. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/blood-is-very-powerful-while-meat-is-the-substance-that-keeps-our/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [I believe if you follow your heart and do what you love, success will follow. If you enchant yourself, others will be too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/i-believe-if-you-follow-your-heart-and-do-what-you-love-success-will/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [“There is a very dark and painful side to life, but that is natural. People in our culture think they should never be unhappy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/there-is-a-very-dark-and-painful-side-to-life-but-that-is-natural/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [The present moment is all we will ever have. Only the forms change. Someone living in the actual 1890s would have the same feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/the-present-moment-is-all-we-will-ever-have-only-the-forms-change/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) [Explore all 16 Mark Ryden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Inspiration is the most valuable commodity for an artist; it is for me anyway. 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