Finding Artistic Inspiration

People find artistic inspiration in many different places. What is artistic inspiration? How can you find your own artistic inspiration? And how do these things inspire us? Buckle up, because we're going to delve into all this and more in today's blog post.

First things first:

What is Artistic Inspiration?

• Here's my definition of artistic inspiration:

  
  

Something that CAUSES you to THINK/FEEL and take ACTION

• So, there are three parts:

Making art

1. CAUSATION

   • The 'something' that causes someone to think or feel, then take action, could be literally anything; A bubble, a child, a wave, a situation, a photograph, a memory, a song, a road trip, a plant, the shape of the toothpaste stain on your sink.

   • Whatever the 'thing' is will determine the thought(s) or feeling(s), which are unique to each individual based on knowledge and experience (more of this in #2)

   • The 'thing' that provokes feelings in one person may mean nothing to someone else. For example, I might see a bird take a poo, and that might give me an idea for a painting or a story, but someone else might see a bird take a poo, and to them, it's just a bird taking a poo (and yes, a bird taking a poo could be inspiration).

   • Causation can also be MOTIVATION. The 'thing' can cause you to WANT to take action (#3).

2. THINKING/FEELINGS

   • The thoughts and feelings that are inspired will be different for everyone. Two people may both feel sad about seeing a hurt cat, but the sadness will be unique to each individual. We link feelings to what we know (or think we know) and have previously experienced. If one person has had a cat that has been hit by a car before, they will think and feel differently about the same situation than someone who hates cats. This same hurt cat could inspire one story about grief and heartbreak, another about alien-cat-like creatures from outer space, a third story about dogs, and another non-fiction book about dealing with allergies. It depends on what our brains do with the 'thing'. Therefore;

   • WE CREATE THE INSPIRATION

   • Yep, it doesn't just 'come to us' (well, not always, although it could). Stuff this 'waiting until inspiration strikes'. Nope, just look around you and let your thoughts and feelings carry you away.

   • No thoughts or feelings? Check your pulse; you might be dead.

3. ACTION

   • This is the most important part! It is one thing to think/feel something (or get an idea), but it's another thing to DO SOMETHING WITH IT and not let it slide.

   • The inspiration is not artistic inspiration until you MAKE ART.

   • UNINSPIRED?? Then perhaps you're thinking too hard, too narrowly, or too seriously. I have a suggestion:

     • Stop thinking and just START.

     • Yes, I know you're partway through a crime novel about corrupt Egyptian tomb-raiding archaeologists being bribed by mafia bosses who are threatening to kill their families, and now you feel stuck. Just keep writing. Don't worry about whether it's any good or not, or if it fits in the story. Don't even worry about if it makes any sense. You will most likely write yourself out of your funk and into a resolution. Just keep writing (or art-ing).

     • Haven't started anything because the lighting isn't right, or you can't find a way around that plot hole, or you haven't got any ideas at all?? Again, I say:

     • Stop thinking and just start. Action breeds action. Forward momentum is better than immobility. I'm sure that you've heard people say that the hardest part of exercising is putting on your shoes and getting out the door. Once you've done that, you'll most likely walk down the driveway, then down the road. Then, the hardest part is done! You're on your way. So, do the same thing here. Lace up those shoes. Start writing words, you can always edit it later. Start painting that picture, once you've done the first brushstroke, the rest will follow.

Being inspired

How Can You Find Your Own Inspiration?

• Work out what makes you THINK and FEEL. What interests you? What angers you? What do you struggle with? Watch that movie that makes you cry. Look at that painting that makes you wonder. Read that book that exposes you to something new. I am inspired by nature because it makes me FEEL a certain way. My husband is inspired by certain movies because they make him THINK. Someone else will be inspired by a person who has battled adversity, earned a lot of money, or experienced being in space. What makes you think?

• Be STILL. Stop doing. Give your brain space to think. Give it time.

• Use your SENSES. This can be out in the world, or it could be where you are right now. Look around you. Observe the world/room, people, objects, and situations. Touch things and interact with them. Breathe in. Smell. Listen intently. Listen to the empty room, and listen to people. Watch people. Watch ants. Watch how they move, how they interact, and what they wear (the humans, not the ants).

• Think about things differently. Think about POSSIBILITIES. You see a cushion on the floor, I see a cat bed, a spot for a child to sit and watch cartoons, a place where someone drunk lies down and vomits on themselves, a mountain for a mouse, stuffing for a homemade doll, comfort for someone who is in pain, or a projectile in an argument.

• Think about things SYMBOLICALLY. A cushion = fatigue, comfort, possessions, wealth, decoration, style, fabric, rest, play...

• Put yourself in other people's shoes or in different SITUATIONS - What would Superman do with this cushion? Jesus? My 6-year-old? What would I do with it if I were angry? Stranded on a desert island? Attacked by a man with a machete? Who made this cushion? What if it had special powers? Get silly, it's fun!

• RESEARCH. Yes, this could mean disappearing into a Google-hole, but it could also mean watching movies, reading books, listening to music, travelling somewhere, talking to someone, sending an email, touching something, doing something etc.

• Seek out your own MOTIVATION. If you aren't inspired, then it might be because you have no motivation. So what if you want to write a story or paint a picture? Why? What will you do with it? Set yourself some GOALS and REWARDS. You are going to be less motivated to do the artistic thing if you think that nobody will ever see/read it or like it, or if it has no purpose.

  • Work out WHY you want to do the artistic thing.

  • Work out what you will DO with the artistic thing once it is done.

  • Set yourself a DEADLINE. Work out when you want to have the artistic thing finished by (some people are motivated by deadlines).

  • Listen to a motivational person speak, or read a book that will help you identify your creative goals (find your 'why').

  • Perhaps you could find a spot in your house where you will hang the painting when you're finished it. Maybe the spot will inspire the work? Maybe you can do the artistic work to give as a gift for someone's birthday? Maybe you could find a mentor, class, or an accountability partner or writing buddy.

A rainbow portal in Pink World

These are just a handful of ideas in a world full of them. Hopefully, this helps you find your own artistic inspiration so that you can go and make inspired art!

Have a question? Ask me in the comments. Also, let me know how you find your artistic inspiration - does it strike you down? Do you have to hunt for it? Or do you stop worrying about whether you feel artistically inspired at all and just make art?

Happy art-ing!

Much love,

Marley x