Where to find inspiration? Inspiration is everywhere and in everything, but sometimes we have dry spells where we feel creatively empty or lethargic. This happens and it WILL pass.
Last year, due to the sudden loss of one of my cats who was a great inspiration to me and who was my little soul kitty, as well as some other major stressful events, I just felt gutted for months on end and had no desire to paint. I did not force myself to paint, but I DID stay in the art groove by teaching art classes (I really love sharing my love for art!), visiting museums and art shows and watching art videos on YouTube. I never stopped loving art or having ideas, I just did not feel like painting.
Now, nearly a year after losing my little Isabeau, I am finally, once again, feeling joy in painting and creating. I am even painting cats again!
When you feel blocked, don’t know what to paint or can’t seem to get started, take a deep breath and look around you with fresh eyes. Wherever you are, stop and really notice the colors, the shapes and the textures of what is around you. Jot down these impressions on a scrap of paper or on your phone. Whenever I have a particularly inspiring flash, I write it down. I have a little notebook with all of my ideas for paintings. It is important to record these thoughts as they will be your inspiration for future art.
In my case, my brain sees cats everywhere! So, when I am out at a restaurant, or in a museum, or at a concert or a flea market, I try to imagine who and what I am seeing as a cat! OK, I admit that I am cat crazy and live in my little feline bubble! It also helps to have four furry top feline models who are always doing something crazy…
There is so much inspiration in the form of videos and workshops online. Many are free of charge or cost very little. Often, watching another artist’s videos inspires me to try using a particular technique or a certain medium or even a color that I don’t normally tend to use in my own art. A few years ago, I participated in a free online creative retreat and really pushed myself to try new techniques, particularly ones that did not seemingly interest me. It was eye-opening! I found that I LOVED things that I had previously avoided. Mixed media art using inks and texture pastes and painting over collages became new passions for me.
Honestly, the greatest hindrance to inspiration is setting limits on yourself and on your mind. Try new and totally different things in your art. Visit museums, read art books, go online, talk to other artists and above all, just keep HAVING FUN! The dry spell WILL pass and your creativity will return!
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