How To Get Creatively Inspired

When beginning the art-making process, finding ideas, motivation or any clear direction can be quite tricky. So, if you’re wondering what inspires artists to make art - don’t fret! We’re here to help inspire you the next generation of influencers.

As noted in the video, inspiration can come from a lot of different sources. It can come from friends, family, books, passions, frustrations, nature, food, ethnicity, travel, other artists and more!

The beautiful (and sometimes challenging) thing about the way that inspiration comes about is that it is different for everybody.

“Personally, in a field as creative and intimate as art and design. You don’t have to look very far but search from within, reflect on your cultural heritage, the art, the books, the movies that you grew up watching and you’ll find yourself opening to new doors, finding about your culture, about your family and it’s going to take you very far. I’m sure of it.”
- Huy on his inspirations

Case Study - Ultrasound

So, while I walked through how a traumatic incident resulted in me creating a series of works, I also wanted to walk through some everyday things that influence other works that I have made.

For example, when I was creating this artwork called ‘Ultrasound’, I was influenced by a lot of different aspects that were drawn into my practice.

The piece ‘Ultrasound’ was an audio-visual artwork that I created in response to the early stages of COVID-19. At the time, I was really unsure about the future and while things were bleak and unstable, I still had a little glimmer of hope. With this work, I tried to capture that.

I called the piece Ultrasound because I felt that something big was still brewing. I didn’t know what exactly was being conjured up by this big bad world, but I could definitely feel some bubbling happening.

So, if I had to break it down my art inspirations:

Sounds (Buzzing) - When I think of buzzing, I think of bees which remind me of community.
Heartbeat/Pulse - When I think of heartbeats I think of tension and continuity.
Colour Choice (Pinks, Red, Purple) - I wanted to create something that seemed almost human, so I went with colours that reminded me of muscle and
Kaleidoscopes - I like this as it invites chance and child-like wonder into the piece. In situations like this, even the adults can be a little unsure of what to do.
Ultrasound Pictures - For me, these bring up the idea of the potential. This is the hopeful element.

So this was another situation where I took those nervous thoughts and feelings that I was experiencing and worked through them through art. By using art as a reflective and meditative practice I was able to settle my thoughts and move on.

Other Sources Of Inspiration - Artists

Outside of the sources mentioned above, getting to know some of your favourite artists and learning about what inspired them can be a huge springboard.

When looking at Frida Kahlo’s influences and thinking about how nationalism, family, love, adversity and politics come into play with her works, it is easy to consider how similar elements could impact your life.

Once you find artists that you really connect with, being able to experience their works in person is also an amazing way to inspire yourself creatively. By being able to witness the mastery of their works and by soaking up the surroundings that fuelled their passions you may even find yourself becoming inspired too!

“Frida Kahlo… her bright colours and how she processes traumatic memory and the way she uses self portraiture to go through pain was one of my biggest influences stylistically. Also my family is a big influence as well so naturally the scenery found it’s way into my painting.”
- Lili on her inspirations

Lili’s inspiration: Frida Kahlo (Kahlo’s house in Mexico). Photo credit: Liliana Occhiuto

Exercise #1: Find What Inspires You

Okay, let’s find what inspires your creativity!

You will need.

Writing Materials - Pens, Pencil, Markers...anything!
Your Brain
Your Imagination
Paper
- Brownie points if you’re documenting this in the journal you started last week!

Optional Materials

Photographs
Scissors and Glue
Paints

Now that you have what you need to create work, sit down and reflect for a few minutes. In those moments try and make a list of 5 everyday things that really make you feel something.

Remember, it can be anything and the feeling doesn’t have to be a ‘happy’ feeling (though there’s nothing wrong with that either). Once you have that list, try and consider how you would include those inspirations in your artwork.

For example, if ice cream was your source of inspiration, how would you want to use ice cream in your art? Would you paint a portrait of it? Would you make a sculpture? Would you use the pattern of an ice cream cone to be the background of a picture?

Once you have an idea, try and create a sketch or plan of what that might look like on another piece of paper.

Exercise #2 (optional)

Think of your favourite artist. Any artist at all. It could be a musician, writer, artist, painter or performer. It doesn’t even need to be someone famous, it can even be someone you know personally!

Once you have someone in mind, do a little research. Discover the points of inspiration that helped them along the way and think about how their points of inspiration impact you.

Do you get ideas from similar places? Do you think the things that inspire them can help you? If so, how?

Reflect on these answers and jot them down OR create an artwork in response to what you found.

Share Your Art

Once you’ve completed the exercise or if you just have something cool to show us, take photos, videos or scans of your journal or work in progress and share it via social media. Make sure you tag us @lostinbookssydney or use the hashtag #TofPArtStudio so we can see it.

You can also submit your artwork by emailing to art@lostinbooks.com.au to receive feedback from our artists Huy and Lili, and for a chance to be featured in our online Art gallery.

SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK

OPEN STUDIO

Cost: $100 per student/term | Location: Lost In Books, 2/4o Harris St, Fairfield, NSW 2165

Creative Kids vouchers accepted. Click here to apply.

Our TABLE OF PLENTY open access studio creates an encouraging, open and safe environment where individuals can gain a sense of agency through creativity and art with the intent to unify and strengthen the already strong ties within our community. We look forward to welcoming our participants!

Term 1 dates and times to be advised. Register to be on the waitlist.

Episode 2. Influencing The Influencers