Many people have dreamed to be an artist of known, why not make it a realistic aim for the new year, or better yet, a New Year’s resolution? It’s never too late to start producing art, whether you’re eight or eighty. Give in to your passion, seek out the perfect source of inspiration, and get started. Take, for example, Annie O’Brien Gonzales, an artist. She chose to become an artist after finishing her studies, raising children, and working a “real job” while dabbling in arts and crafts. Are you ready to go on your own creative journey? Gonzales’ book, The Joy of Acrylic Painting, has an expert on how to obtain inspiration. This book is for those of us who have just found our drive to create art or for those of us who have put our interests on hold due to other life priorities. Enjoy!

Twelve years ago, I made the decision to pursue my dream and finally become a full-time artist. Despite my reservations, I determined it was now or never. I took painting lessons, went to seminars, read a lot of art books, and painted almost every day. After all, Georgia O’Keeffe once stated, “I’ve felt completely scared every minute of my life, yet I’ve never allowed that prevent me from accomplishing a single thing that I wanted to do.” I’ve never looked back, and I’ve continued moving ahead until I’ve found my voice and defined my creative objectives. I’ve learned a lot about painting, including what works and what doesn’t, and I’d want to share what I’ve discovered. I taught adults in a variety of professions for many years, but it wasn’t until I began teaching painting that I saw people who had so many concerns and fears about learning. You have to go to some form of craft school as is the case for most individuals, nor would it be the best choice unless the objective is to teach art in a collegiate setting. Fortunately, there are a plethora of options for learning to paint. The key is to figure out what works best for you.

Getting Motivated

There is inspiration all around you. Begin to observe what draws you in and keep a note of it for future works. The more you become aware of the inspiration that surrounds you, the better you will become at identifying it. Open your eyes to the history, abilities, hobbies, and fascinations that have shaped you into the person you are. Cooking, preparing a beautiful table, dressing artistically, hiking, gardening, watching movies – what hobbies offer you great joy? There are so many things which in time will reveal themselves in a fantastic way reveal something about what motivates and fascinates you. When traveling, make a point of visiting museums and galleries. They’re nearly everywhere, and you never know what a chance encounter may bring out in you. Look for color schemes and composition ideas made by some of the most skilled designers in prominent design publications (home design, gardening, culinary, crafts, etc.). Begin to see things through the eyes of an artist. Take notice of storefronts, nature, clothes, antiques, music, people at cafés, and the sky. There are no boundaries. The more you use your imagination, the more it will flourish and manifest itself in your work.

The Influence of Pinterest

It’s a good idea to write down your ideas before they go from your head. Pinterest, inspiration boards, and what I call Painting Notes, or art journaling, are three techniques I encourage. Join Pinterest, for example, if you haven’t already, so you may establish distinct boards for your many art inspiration categories. Start a “Doves I Love” board, for example, if you’re interested in birds. Additionally, create Pinterest boards for all of your ancestors who were artists (artists who have inspired you). You may always keep your boards private if you don’t want to share your interests with the world. You may also share your boards with a small number of people, allowing you to create your own online critique group. On this platform, the possibilities are limitless. Check out some of the many Pinterest boards on the elements of art for inspiration. Each one has its own board: Line, Shape, Color, Value, and Texture, as well as a plethora of others!

Create a Personal Inspiration Board

Create your own inspiration board if using an online platform like Pinterest isn’t an option or if you want to work with something physical in addition to virtual. As artists, we demand and react to visual stimuli. Inspiration boards are visual representations of what we’re excited about right now. Create an inspiration board in your studio or painting area right immediately and pin everything that inspires and delights you – color chips from the hardware store, fabric swatches, images, postcards, magazine clippings, and phrases that encourage you to keep producing. However, avoid pinning your to-do list on your inspiration board if you don’t want to look at it again. After you’ve gathered all of your resources, put your inspiration board in your studio or work area, where you’ll see it every day.

Boosting Suggestions that are Inspiring

Here are nine ideas to try if you can’t seem to find any inspiration.

Regardless, go to your studio or workplace. Don’t let yourself persuade yourself out of it. Let’s see what happens if we just show up.
Keep yourself occupied by cleaning brushes gesso canvases, organizing college papers, and cleaning your studio.
Take an antique painting and cover it with paint. Paint as you’ve never painted before as if you had nothing to lose – which you don’t!
Sit at your desk and go through some inspiring art books or publications. Put tags on everything that piques your interest.
Take your sketchbook or art notebook outdoors, sit down, and compose a list of things you like:

song titles, quotations you’ve heard, flowers you like, beloved animals, and so on.

Doodles, shapes, and lines may be used to fill the pages of your diary.
In your studio, turn up the volume on your favorite music. Place a huge blank canvas on the floor and dance while throwing paint on it.
Choose a painting by one of your favorite Artist Ancestors and reproduce it. It’s excellent practice and a perfectly appropriate method of learning. Just don’t sign it and claim ownership!
Try a new method, such as junk mail collage, cutting up old drawings or paintings, origami from art magazines, and so on. Just go with the flow!