The nature of creativity requires time, ideas, thoughts and imagination. As we form the mental concepts we want to create, another layer of endeavor slides in, we need our energy, motivation and perseverance to reach a final result. Creativity is a gift, and it's something that we all possess in our own way. However, sometimes it can be hard to find the inspiration we need to create great art. As artists we are constantly searching and reaching for inspiration.That's where everyday life comes in.
In this post, we'll explore how to find inspiration in the most mundane aspects of our daily lives. We'll also discuss some tips for overcoming creative blocks and turning our inspiration into beautiful art.
What is Artistic Inspiration for artist and creatives?
Inspiration is a spark of creativity that ignites our imagination. It can come from anywhere, at any time. Sometimes it's something we see or hear, and other times it's something we feel inside. Inspiration for any creative artistic endeavor can be found in the most mundane aspects of everyday life. We use our experiences and surroundings to source and find that spark of inspiration to progress our creative idea. Aspects of nature, our environment, architecture, art, colours surrounding us, reading books, scrolling the visual internet and the human experience all serve as sources of inspiration that we draw upon to craft our artworks.
When we're inspired, we feel a sense of excitement and possibility. We're motivated to create something new and beautiful.
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
Finding constant inspiration can be challenging for us artists in the face of maintaining our creative flow. One of the best ways to find inspiration is to simply pay attention to the world around us. Look for things that spark your curiosity and wonder. We require a continuous stream of inspiration, drawing from a diverse range of emotions, environments and surroundings can keep us motivated and reach a creative outcome. Some artistic inspiration can be intuitive but most require a conscious input to achieve creative expression..Engaging our 5 senses with our surroundings can open up a vast array of artistic opportunities.
A few creative ideas to get you started
Nature as a Muse: Nature is a rich source of inspiration for artists. Take a walk in the park, go for a hike, or simply sit in your backyard and observe the natural world. Pay attention to the colors, shapes, textures, and patterns that you see. Natural elements like landscapes, flora, fauna, and weather patterns can inspire artistic expression.
Using the intricate shapes and patterns of a leaf could be used as a motif for a painting or a textile pattern.
Capturing the fleeting beauty of a sunset through photography, can inspire you to recreate it in watercolor or collage.
Observing the movement of leaves in the wind for a dynamic line drawing.
Overhead sky shot of the Natural History Museum - DL - artandpatterns.com Urban Inspiration: Cities are full of energy and excitement. Take a stroll through your local area and observe the people, buildings, and street art. Explore how cityscapes, architecture, people-watching, and the rhythm of urban life can spark creativity. For example I am finding inspiration in the geometric shapes of skyscrapers useful to help inform the shapes in some of my collages. Sitting still and sketching the bustling activity in a busy market or mark making when strolling through the park, give you moments of inspiration and ideas for primary research.
Art and Culture: I try to visit museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions at least once a month to keep up with the latest exhibition. I also Immerse myself in the works of other artists and creators, read books about them and get inspired visiting their exhibitions Read artist biographies and statements to get a glimpse what inspires them to make and create.
Everyday Objects: Look for inspiration in the ordinary objects that surround you. A crumpled piece of paper, a broken toy, or a beautiful sunset can all be sources of inspiration. Objects owned by loved ones, past or present, can also relay inspired thoughts, ideas or stories from which we can pull from to be creative. Discarded objects can be reworked into object sculptures with a renewed purpose and narrative.
Rather than using conventional mediums, materials and tools try creating art using unconventional materials like discarded kitchen implements, old cloth, old newspapers, bottle caps, or broken toys
Your Own Emotions: Your emotions can be a powerful source of inspiration. Pay attention to how you're feeling and try to express those emotions in your art. - Ways of doing this may be through your writings such as poetry. Words can be re-interpreted to represent 2D or 3D forms.
Photography: With my smartphone in hand I am forever taking images of all I see around me - poster on the underground for the colour combinations and fonts, textures of new and old worn out posters, surfaces I walk by, flowers and shapes, rainbows across the sky and any object I see that I could use down the line for my artwork or surface designs.
Overcoming Creative Block
Everyone experiences creative blocks from time to time. It's that feeling of being stuck and unable to come up with any new ideas.
If you're feeling stuck, don't despair. There are a few things you can do to overcome creative block:
Take a Break: Sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to walk away from your project for a while. Come back to it later with fresh eyes.
Change Your Environment: If you're stuck in a creative rut, try working in a different location. Go to a coffee shop, library, or park. Try meditation to rest the mind and recharge or listen to your favourite music. visit a museum in your area. -(see link to blogpost below)
Embrace Limitations: When I hit a creative impasse I impose constraints on myself, for example I will set time limitations using my 30 min egg timer to create a limited color palette, using colourful papers create mimi collages in my sketchbook as of my colour collages ) to encourage creativity.
Talk to Other Artists or creatives: Meet up and talk with other artists friends about your creative block. They may be able to offer you some helpful advice. Research and find blog posts from artists for further ideas.
Experiment with Different Techniques: Trying new techniques can help you break out of your creative rut.
Don't Be Afraid to Fail: Everyone makes mistakes. Don't be afraid to fail. Just keep trying, experimenting, practising and eventually, you'll break through.
Turning Inspiration into Art
Once you've found inspiration, it's time to put it to use. Here are a few tips for turning your inspiration into art:
Start with a Sketch: Sketch out your ideas before you start collaging,painting or sculpting. This will help you to refine your ideas and composition.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles.
Be Patient: It takes time to create great art. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.
Have Fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the process of creating art.
Additional Tips for Finding creative Inspiration
Keep a Journal: Write down your thoughts, ideas, and observations. This can help you to track your creative progress and identify patterns in your thinking.
Set Goals: Set goals for yourself and celebrate your accomplishments.
Surround Yourself with Positive People: Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you.
Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you're getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food. This will help you to stay creative and productive.
Conclusion
Inspiration is all around us. By paying attention to the world around us and tapping into our own emotions, we can find the inspiration we need to create great art.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding inspiration. What works for one person may not work for another. Experiment and find what works best for you.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the creative process!
I hope this blog post helps you to find inspiration and create beautiful art.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading! Dee
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