Finding Inspiration

Have you ever found yourself in a situation with artist block, where you have no motivation to create or even do anything?

Finding myself here frequently as a full-time artist. I don’t normally leave the house during the week, because my studio is located in my home. I love being able to stay home with my pack of pups, but sometimes it feels a bit daunting to focus on creating. Sometimes it feels like inspiration always strikes at the wrong time. It always seems to hit right as I am unable to act on the inspiration, my ability to execute is hindered by an event or meeting. Getting frustrated by the timing never helps me in these situations, and I have learned a few techniques that have helped. Here are a few things that I have started to implement into my days if I’m feeling a bit uninspired.

Write things down: 
There will be days where I have so much creativity flowing through me, a swirling cloud of thoughts overwhelms me to the point where I will have so many distractions and not enough focus on one thing, resulting in nothing getting accomplished. On these days, I take a few moments to brainstorm and write everything down. I will then choose one of those ideas or thoughts as the basis of my creating for that day. I put the rest of the list aside, and I use for the days I’m feeling uninspired. I will pull out the list and remember what great (or not so great) ideas I had and that will get me moving.

Read: 
Reading is great for widening your knowledge. It can be broad or focus in on a certain topic, which can inspire great ideas. It can also take you on a fictional adventure where your ideas will start brewing.

Listen to new music: 
Music is my second favorite thing next to painting! It has the power to energize me like no other. When I listen to new music I feel a rush of good energy and inspiration. An artist I am currently in love with is Jimmy Sax. If you haven’t heard of him, look up “No Man No Cry” by Jimmy Sax. This was the first song of his that I listened to and I was hooked!

Go Out in Nature/Travel: 
Somewhere you can lose track of time and release some tension. Lately, my boyfriend and I have been taking camping trips almost every weekend. It gets us outside and into new places. On the days we don’t camp, we are usually attending an event. This keeps me exposed to new things and places, and leaves me my mind inspired. It helps us to keep moving and not to get stuck in a routine. We often take out our new Polaris RZR to the grasslands here in North Dakota; I am continuously awed by all of the spectacular views of plants and wildlife.

Photography: 
Grab your camera (or phone) and go take some random pictures! This is quite fun for me and has inspired me to add a little quote on the photos I create. Sadie, Yogi Bear, Missy, and Starla are my main subjects for this, often doing their best to model for me. They are our Vizsla and Yorkie Terriers (the pack). Viewing the world through a lens forces you into a different perspective, and I am often inspired by some great ideas.

Learning: 
YouTube is AMAZING for learning. You can learn about new topics or new techniques because there are endless videos on how to do just about anything. Type in a topic you have been interested in and start learning. This is where I gained most of my knowledge for my resin art. Being intrigued by the fluidity of the colors with resin got me wondering if and how I could do it. That’s where this new medium all started, one YouTube search asking a simple question!
SkillShare is also a great platform for learning. I’m currently learning about different herbs for teas and medicine. There are many amazing resources out there, so use them.

Exercise: 
Exercise is great for stimulating your mind. Combine this with nature and take a brisk walk around your neighborhood or town. I love admiring how others decorate the outside of their home with yard art and plants.

This is a great starting point for you if you are finding yourself uninspired and unmotivated.

I would love to hear what gives you inspiration!