5 Inspirational Youtube Videos for Artists - Make Good Art

All kinds of videos can be found on Youtube, from music videos to tutorials. It is one of my favorite websites to go to when I just want to relax, and waste some time (I don’t watch much T.V. these days).

It is certainly a great place for artists, and includes art instruction videos, painting demonstrations, tutorials and much more. Some of my favorite videos though are those which inspire!

Every now and then, I find an amazing  inspirational video which I love to watch over and over. I have collected some of these for this post.

1. Make Good Art

   
   
   
   Neil Gaiman commencement speech at the University of Arts in 2012 is very inspirational – and funny. The video has over half a million views on Youtube and over 8000 likes. It’s a must watch for all artists!! Some wise advice can be gleaned from this video:
   
   
   • ”When you start out in a career in the arts, you have no idea what you are doing.”
     
   • ”If you have an idea what you are put here to do, then just go and do that”
     
   • ”When you start out, you have to deal with the problems of failure – you have to be thick skinned – to learn that not every project will survive.”
     
   • Don’t create art just for the money. If you can’t sell it, then you don’t have anything. If you do work you are proud of, and still don’t sell it, at least you have the art. (paraphrased)
     
   • See also the shorter version of this speech by Zen Pencils: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tdAAFC8HHs
   
   

2. Terra Sacra Time Lapses

   
   
   This one is a must watch for all you nature artists – and especially cloud lovers! This video shows beautiful time lapse presentations of landscapes and places around the world. See the effect of changing light on landscapes.
   
   

3. Make it Count

   
   
   Nike asked Casey Neistat to create a movie about the meaning behind the phrase “Make it Count”.  But instead of filming a commercial, which Nike had hired him to do, Casey decided to instead make a film about travelling the world. In the video, Casey and his friend Max travel to 13 countries in 10 days - a total of 34,000 miles.
   
   I love watching the video occasionally, but I don’t have that kind of cash to travel around the world. The meaning I get from the video is to make every moment count in my own life - where I am. I try to use every moment I have in a productive manner (even if I’m just relaxing and watching Youtube videos). The collection of quotes in the video are also very inspiring!
   
   

4. Life is Short

   
   
   The Holstee Manifesto – Lifecycle video is meant as inspiration to live a full life, full of community, creativity, intention and passion. Even though it’s about biking, this video motivates me every time I watch it.
   
   ”This is your life, do what you love, do it often.” – find this and other tidbits of inspiration in this video.
   
   

5. Take Risks Now

   
   
   Some people were asked what the secret of success is as an artist/ freelancer. Watch the great responses in this inspirational, and sometimes funny Vimeo video.

 

These are some of the most inspirational videos I have found. I’m sure there are others I have not seen yet - so if you have a favorite inspirational video not included on this list, please let us know in the comments.

Have a wonderful day, and make good art.. and make it count!