My problem: I have a severe case of artist's block, going on for months now. I'm looking for advice or perspectives on how I can break through it.
I'm a creative person. I make rap, 3D art, drawing, and videos. I need to constantly express myself through art. I said "need" deliberately there. It's been with me since I could hold a crayon. I've been doodling in class nonstop for my entire school life. I was doing skits using a webcam when those just got invented. I've been animating in Flash since I got my hands on a pirated copy.
Recently, I think I'm making art for others, and that's inhibiting me. I found that people really enjoy my art. For example, when I make a rap video – my friends love it, share it, and mention it in passing. I enjoy it when others enjoy the art. It's like I brought something cool to the world, and it validates my skill. It's like 30+ years of doodling means something. Maybe some part of it is that others perceive me better.
The problem with others enjoying my art is that I'm not making what I want to make. I want to make rap songs with cursing and/or violent subject matter, but then I can't play it to my kid or my more sensitive friends. I want to draw cool monsters, but people enjoy my videos and animations more than static drawings, so it wouldn't be something I'd share.
I don't monetize anything or post it publicly, so that's not the issue.
Solution?: I think I should draw for myself. At least for a while. And I should forget if anyone will like my stuff or not. If I want to make art in a static image format instead of a video, I should do it. I've always wanted to try a 3D apartment/house, which might be boring to others; maybe now is the time.