How to Find Inspiration

I think inspiration comes from a variety of sources - a slight breeze in the morning during the change of seasons, the smell of coffee in the air and how it triggers a feeling of productivity, seeing a burgundy sunflower still standing as the rest droop their shoulders and wither. The easiest way to catch a whiff of inspiration is to observe and learn from others.

In college, I minored in Studio Art, and in so many of my studio classes the professor had us watch a series of slides to get the juices flowing. We saw image after image of what other artist's had done in the same discipline of what we were being assigned to do. These flashes unlocked something in our own imagination that gave us a green light to the drawing board. We wanted to make something too, and saw something of a blueprint to actually get it done.

If it's a song you're wanting to write, listen to music. A book you're wanting to write, read more books. Maybe you want to dance, draw, or play the guitar. Go to places where these things are happening - nightclubs, illustration books, a music store. I've walked into Guitar Center a number of times and caught someone taking a new 6-string for a spin.

Other places I love to wonder into are thrift stores. You absolutely never know what you will find in one. A paper thin sequin speckled t-shirt with a giant tiger printed across the front. How fun! Is it in my size?? If not, maybe I can cut the design out and frame it. Or maybe I can take the material and stitch it over a faded denim purse and create a new handbag. The possibilities are absolutely endless, and the cool thing is we are likely supporting a charitable cause while keeping items out of the landfill. Bravo! And we are scoring a few interesting materials on the cheap.

I once salvaged a ton of scrap metal including rusted and smushed spray cans and angle iron, and I use them for props to display jewelry at pop up markets and festivals. The key is contrast - they are sharply different from shiny silver and faceted gems.

Where might you find your next treasure?