What artist doesn't feel like quitting some times? What artist doesn't question whether they have any real talent? I am now 51 years old and have been working full time as an artist for some twenty five years or so. These doubts no longer have much punching power for me any more. They are now easily waved away and I just get back to work. But this doesn't mean I don't get lost from time to time or lose my momentum. Some times I wonder if I'm wasting my time on any given current project.

I read once that Alex Katz early in his career used to ask himself if the world really needed another painting? - until after awhile he realized that question only let the air out of his tires so he quit asking it. We must find a way to keep ourselves motivated to continue. We must guard our hearts and minds from all the lies and twisted thinking that is designed to steal our love of making things, and leave us wasting our time with distractions that lead us nowhere.

This clip was lifted from the film New York Stories. Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese were both well into middle age when this collaborative film was released. Somehow these men have found a way to keep their creative journey moving forward. I want to do the same. Alex Katz had a question he decided to ignore. Are there particular things you do to keep your self protected and potent in your creative life on the rails?