How to find Inspiration for your art

Finding inspiration for your art can sometimes be challenging, but there are many ways to rekindle your creativity and keep the ideas flowing. Here are some strategies to help you discover your artistic muse. I don’t know if they’ll work for you, but they definitely help me when I feel “stuck”.

1. Immerse Yourself in Nature

Nature is an endless source of inspiration. Take a stroll in the park, hike a scenic trail, or relax in your garden. Observe the colors, shapes, and patterns around you. The serenity of nature can help clear your mind and spark new ideas.

2. Visit Art Exhibitions

Seeing the work of other artists can be incredibly motivating. Visit local galleries and museums to explore a variety of styles and mediums. Notice what resonates with you and think about how you can incorporate similar elements into your own creations.

3. Join Art Communities

Engage with online art communities or local art groups. Sharing your work and seeing what others are creating can provide fresh perspectives and ideas. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and DeviantArt are great places to connect with fellow artists and find inspiration.

4. Maintain an Idea Journal

Keep a sketchbook or journal with you at all times. Jot down ideas, doodles, and thoughts as they come to you. This habit can help you capture fleeting moments of inspiration that you might otherwise forget.

5. Experiment with New Mediums

Trying out new materials and techniques can open up new avenues for creativity. If you usually paint, try sculpting or digital art. Experimenting with different mediums can help you break out of a creative rut and discover new passions.

6. Find Beauty in the Everyday

Look for inspiration in the mundane. Everyday objects, people, and scenes can be transformed into compelling art. Pay attention to the details of your daily life and consider how they can be reimagined in your artwork.

7. Take Breaks and Reflect

Sometimes, stepping away from your work can be the best way to find inspiration. Take breaks, meditate, or engage in other hobbies. Giving your mind a rest can lead to unexpected bursts of creativity when you return to your art.

These are my “go to” strategies for finding inspiration. What works for you?

Crafting the Perfect Title for Your Artwork

Quite honestly, selecting an ideal title for a painting can be as intricate for an artist as the creation process itself. A thoughtfully chosen title can elevate the viewer’s experience, offer insights into the artists’ creative journey, and add depth to the piece. If you’ve ever needed some help in coming up with the perfect title, here are some strategies that might help you find the right title for your art. 

1. Capture the Core of Your Creation

Begin by contemplating the central message or emotion you wish to convey. What sparked the creation of this piece? What emotions or thoughts do you want to evoke in the viewer? A title that encapsulates the essence of your work can forge a stronger connection with your audience. 

2. Employ Descriptive Terms

Descriptive titles can provide context and assist viewers in understanding what they are observing. For instance, if your artwork portrays a tranquil landscape, a title like “Mist Rising” or “Peaceful Sunrise Over the Ridgeline” can set the scene and evoke a specific mood. 

“Begin by contemplating the central message or emotion you wish to convey…”

3. Integrate Symbolism

Consider the symbols and metaphors within your artwork. Titles that allude to these elements can add layers of meaning and encourage viewers to delve deeper into your work. For example, a piece featuring a solitary tree might be titled “Blissful Solitude” or “Guardian of the Mountain.” 

4. Simplify

Sometimes, simplicity is key. A short, memorable title can be more impactful than a lengthy, complex one. Strive for clarity and avoid overly complicated or obscure references that might perplex your audience. 

5. Play with Words

Clever wordplay or puns can make your title stand out and infuse a touch of personality into your work. Just ensure that the wordplay aligns with the tone and theme of your artwork. 

6. Gather Feedback

Don’t hesitate to seek input from friends, fellow artists, or mentors. They might offer perspectives you hadn’t considered and help you refine your title. When I feel stuck regarding what to name a painting of mine, I usually ask my wife Joy. Even if she doesn’t come up with the perfect idea, she can steer me in a good direction. I’m also known to stick a photo of an unnamed painting on Facebook and ask for title suggestions. I almost always get some great ideas (and it’s fun to include other people in the creative process!

Choosing a title for your art is a creative endeavor in itself. By capturing the core of your creation, employing descriptive terms, integrating symbolism, simplifying, playing with words, and gathering feedback, you can find a title that enhances your artwork and resonates with your audience.

The Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received as an Artist

Every artist’s journey is filled with moments of inspiration, growth, and, unfortunately, some misguided advice. Reflecting on my own path, one piece of advice stands out as particularly detrimental: “Stick to one style and never change.”

At first glance, this advice might seem practical. Consistency can indeed help build a recognizable brand. However, for an artist, this can be incredibly stifling. Art is about exploration, experimentation, and evolution. Being confined to a single style can hinder creative growth and limit the potential to discover new techniques and perspectives.

“Embrace change, experiment boldly, and let your art evolve naturally…”

When I first started, I was eager to find my unique voice. I experimented with various mediums, styles, and subjects. However, after receiving this advice, I felt pressured to conform to a single style that was gaining some attention. I spent months creating similar pieces, but over time, I felt my passion waning. My work became repetitive, and I lost the joy of creation. It wasn’t until I decided to break free from this constraint that I truly began to flourish. I allowed myself to explore different styles again, blending elements from various influences. This not only reignited my passion but also led to a more authentic and dynamic body of work. My audience appreciated the diversity and evolution in my art, and I felt more fulfilled as an artist.

The lesson here is clear: while consistency has its place, it should never come at the cost of your creative freedom. Embrace change, experiment boldly, and let your art evolve naturally. The worst advice I ever received taught me the importance of staying true to my creative instincts and the value of artistic growth. So, to all the artists out there, remember: your journey is uniquely yours. Don’t let anyone box you into a single style. Explore, evolve, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Your art will be richer for it.

Overcoming Artist’s Block: Practical Tips

“I look into my creative soul for an idea…ANY idea. And it’s just a dark, silent abyss. I have absolutely nothing creative going on in my head. What do I do to get that spark back?”

First of all, look…every artist faces artist’s block at some point. It can be frustrating, but it’s a natural part of the creative process, so please be kind to yourself. I don’t have a cure-all, but I do have a few ideas you might try that have helped me:

 1. Start Creating Sometimes, the best way to overcome a block is to simply start. Put something—anything—on the canvas or sketch pad. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The act of creating can help break the inertia and get your creative juices flowing. 

2. Change Your Surroundings A change of scenery can do wonders for your creativity. Travel, visit an art museum, or even just take a walk in a new neighborhood. New experiences can provide fresh inspiration and new perspectives. 

“Creative block can be frustrating, but it’s a natural part of the creative process…”

3. Try Creative Exercises Engage in different creative exercises to stimulate your mind. This could be doodling, experimenting with new materials, or trying a different art style. These exercises can help you break out of your routine and spark new ideas. 

4. Take a Break Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away from your work. Take a break, do something you enjoy, and give yourself time to recharge. When you return to your art, you may find that you have a fresh perspective. 

5. Seek Inspiration Look for inspiration in other artists’ work, read inspirational art quotes, or watch documentaries about artists. Seeing how others overcome their challenges can motivate you to push through your own block. 

6. Set Small Goals Break your project into smaller tasks and set achievable goals. This can make the process feel less overwhelming and help you build momentum as you complete each step. 

Trust me, artist’s block is a common challenge, but it doesn’t have to halt your creativity. Every artist goes through this at some point. Like it or not, it’s just part of the journey. If you have an idea for something that’s helped you, please by all means share that idea here in the comments!

Exploring Lessons from Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, a towering figure in Western art, offers a legacy that transcends his vibrant paintings. His life and work provide profound lessons that can inspire and guide us in our creative endeavors. Here are some key takeaways from the life of this extraordinary artist:

Perseverance Amidst Adversity

Van Gogh’s life was fraught with personal struggles, including mental health issues and financial hardships. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his dedication to art. His perseverance exemplifies the power of resilience. He created over 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, many of which were produced in the last two years of his life.

Embrace Your Unique Vision

Van Gogh’s style was unique and often misunderstood during his lifetime. He chose not to conform to the artistic norms of his era, instead following his own vision. This commitment to authenticity reminds us to embrace our unique perspectives and not be swayed by external opinions.

Commit to Continuous Learning

Largely self-taught, Van Gogh was always striving to improve his skills. He studied the works of other artists, practiced relentlessly, and experimented with various techniques. His dedication to learning highlights the importance of continuous growth and development in any field.

Harness the Power of Passion

Van Gogh’s passion for art was evident in his prolific output and the emotional intensity of his work. His passion drove him to create, even in the face of numerous setbacks. This underscores the importance of finding and pursuing what we are passionate about, as it can fuel our creativity and perseverance.

Express Your Emotions

Van Gogh’s paintings are renowned for their emotional depth and vibrant colors. He used his art to express his inner world, resonating deeply with viewers. This teaches us the value of expressing our emotions and experiences through our creative endeavors.

Work Consistently

Van Gogh believed in working consistently rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. He once said, “I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” This approach emphasizes the importance of dedication and hard work in the creative process.

In my opinion, Vincent van Gogh’s life and work offer timeless lessons in perseverance, authenticity, continuous learning, passion, emotional expression, and dedication. By embracing these principles, we can enrich our own creative journeys and leave a lasting impact, just as Van Gogh did.

Why Purchase Original Artwork?

In a world dominated by mass production and digital reproductions, the allure of original artwork remains timeless and profound. Owning an original piece of art is not just about decorating a space; it’s about investing in a unique creation that carries the artist’s vision, passion, and craftsmanship.

Uniqueness and Personal Connection: In contrast to mass-produced art you can purchase in a mass retailer or box store, original art pieces are each totally unique. They provide a direct link to the artist and their creative process. Every detail — the brushstrokes, textures, and color selections capture the artist’s feelings and ideas at the moment of creation.

Supporting Artists and the Art Community: Buying original artwork provides direct support to artists and their work. It allows them to keep creating and enriching the cultural scene. By investing in original art, you nurture creativity and help artists maintain their livelihoods, and this is as encouraging to the artist as it is humbling. That someone would part with hard earned cash for one of my paintings — that demands the very best I can do every time I paint.

Investment Potential: Original artwork has the potential to increase in value over time. Although not every piece will become a financial asset, many artworks appreciate as the artist’s reputation expands. This potential for growth makes original art a valuable investment, both in terms of financial return and aesthetic enjoyment.

“That someone would part with hard earned cash for one of my paintings — that demands the very best I can do every time I paint.”

Emotional and Aesthetic Value: Art possesses the ability to stir emotions, ignite inspiration, and alter environments. A unique piece can bring happiness, stimulate contemplation, and craft a distinctive atmosphere in your living or working space. The bond you form with an original artwork can offer enduring contentment and a sense of accomplishment.

Cultural and Historical Significance: Original artworks frequently embody the cultural and historical milieu of their creation. They act as concrete chronicles of artistic trends, societal shifts, and individual stories.

To wrap it up, purchasing original artwork is an investment in creativity, culture, and personal enrichment. It offers a unique blend of aesthetic pleasure, emotional connection, and potential financial gain, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

How do you determine the best size artwork to purchase?

I have found that about half the people who wander into my studio don't seem to be too worried about the size of the artwork they're considering purchasing. They have a general idea of what might look correct and from photos they send me of my painting installed on their wall, they're often spot on when it comes to the size of the artwork. The other half of my clients go home and measure their walls. That may be really helpful to avoid a mistake. I've had people tell me they've cut pieces of cardboard to different sizes and tacked them up to the wall. That's a great idea. The other option is to enlist my help with sizing. In this case, my client sends me a photo of the wall in question along with some basic dimensions, and then I take the photo into Photoshop and insert different sizes of gray rectangles on the wall, so my client can see a variety of proportions and sizes.  Either way, cardboard or Photoshop can help you visualize exactly what a specific size painting would look like on your wall.

So how do you figure out what size is really best for your space? It kind of depends on a few things. First of all, how big is the wall and what other art is already installed on it? You might consider a small piece of art as an accent piece. An accent piece works best when it contains the complementary color of the main color in the room. It can also be much brighter in color than you'd want in a larger piece. Think of a gemstone on a black velvet background. An accent piece can scream at you "LOOK AT ME!" and that works because it's small. 

Or you might need a stand alone piece above a bed or couch. In that case, the size of the bed or couch would determine the optimal size of the painting installed above it. I always recommend choosing artwork that's just a bit smaller than the width of the piece of furniture it's hanging above. If it's too large, it will look ridiculous (see above photo). 

The other (and uh...my favorite) option is to choose a very large "heart stopper" piece of art on a large wall. This sort of artwork should be a real "statement piece". Where the accent piece can shout at the viewer, the statement piece should sing (very loudly). The size and the subject matter should work together to produce an emotional response. I once had a 6' x 8' painting hanging in the back of my studio, and I could always tell when a studio visitor rounded the corner because I'd hear things like "Oh...my...gosh" followed by silence as they just stood there. I love that! That's exactly what I wanted when I painted that piece. 

So what do you want? What do you need when you consider artwork for your home? Whether it's small, medium, large or gigantic...talk to me. We can figure something out that works best with your specific wall and color scheme. 

"So, what's this painting worth?"

I don’t know why I get this question, but a few times a year, I get a call from someone with a painting to sell me. The call goes like this: “Hey, my grandmother has an original signed oil painting and it’s really nice. It’s signed ‘Wilson’ and she said she paid a lot for it. What is it worth, do you know? And would you be interested in it if I sold it to you at a discount?”

So then, I explain to them that I’m not an art appraiser and I don’t run an art auction house. I’m just a painter, and although I understand it’s a “signed” painting, that really doesn’t mean anything to me because heck, when I took my first oil painting class at the age of nine, I signed my paintings when I was done, but I assure you, I painted nothing at the age of nine that was worth anything at all except to my parents.

“ If your grandma enjoyed the painting,

it’s fulfilled it’s mission”

Honestly, you are probably okay just selling the piece at a garage sale. If that just makes you cringe, then here are a couple of things you might try first. You might take it into a reputable art gallery (where they sell the work of many artists) and ask the gallery manager for some advice. They may have much better advice than I have, because I’m just an individual artist and not a gallery manager or art auctioneer. You might also google the artists name just in case there’s something written up about them. That might give you a clue. If there is something written up about the artist, you might try to find a gallery that carries their work and approach the gallery manager. They may (??) actually be willing to purchase the piece if it’s worth it to them.

But again, 95% of the time, it’s probably not worth the time involved in trying to sell grandma’s painting if it requires doing more than what I’ve just suggested. The whole reason to purchase artwork is because it’s something you enjoy. If your grandma enjoyed the painting, it’s fulfilled it’s mission in life and the artist should be happy to hear it brought joy to grandma. That’s awesome. That’s really what art is all about.

What color art would go best in my home?

One of the questions I get asked the most often comes when a client is considering commissioning a painting from me: “What colors would go best in my home?” I usually ask for some photos at that point and make my suggestions. Usually, it’s really easy and so I thought it would be worth going over my my thought process here when answering that question.

The simple answer involves a quick look at the color wheel. Remember that from eighth grade art class? Yes, we professional artists actually do use that tool. Here’s how it works.

1. Look at your current color scheme.Let’s say you have grey green walls, dark wood floor, and a tan couch in the living room with green throw pillows. That’s a lot of warm colors, so what I would recommend would be to use colors that compliment those warm colors.

2. Determine the complimentary color of the main colors you’re already using. Look at the color wheel. What is opposite the green wedge? Red. So depending on the green you’re looking at, the opposite may be more of a tomato soup red or a crimson red, but some sort of red would be considered the complimentary color of the green. If the green you’re looking at is a gray green, then a gray red is the compliment.

3. Consider the size piece you’re looking at purchasing. If my client wants a major piece of art (a statement piece), then I would use mostly greens and earth tones in the piece and just a bit of red. See, for a large piece, I do want to use a bit of the complimentary color of the green they already have, but I don’t want to completely overwhelm the eyes of the viewer. If that piece is a large statement piece, a huge completely red painting would scream at you from across the room You don’t want a painting screaming at you, right? If on the other hand, the painting is just a small piece to be used as an accent, then using mostly the complimentary color would be very effective and dramatic. I might also suggest adding an extra pillow to the couch, or adding a plant or flowers that utilize the complimentary color so that the painting created isn’t the only thing in the room that uses the compliment (red in this case).

It’s that simple. Now you’re an expert. I just saved you a semester at art school. Your welcome! :)

How to deal with criticism as an artist

Beauty or just a big mess?

First off, I love creating art. I pour my whole heart and soul into every single painting I create, and so I have a whole lot of me invested in my work. Most artists I know understand exactly what I’m talking about. Creating art is risky. See, if people love what you create, it feels amazing. If people don’t love what you create, it can be completely devastating. So I say that creating art is risky because with every piece you create, you’re basically putting your soul out there for the whole world to judge.

Or not.

That last sentence describes my way of looking at my own art abilities when I was a grade schooler. I was always the best artist in each of my classes growing up and since I was NOT the top of my class when it came to team sports or academics, I made my artistic abilities my key to feeling accepted by my classmates. That scheme worked great until high school. In tenth grade, I realized that I was no longer the “best artist” in my grade and I kind of fell apart. By my late teens, I realized I was just using art as a tool to get what I really wanted: to feel like I deserved to be here, earning my right to breathe, and I have learned that no ability I could possibly have can give me that kind of inner-soul validation. That’s got to come from somewhere else. Art cannot bear that kind of weight.

And so, over time, I have learned that my art abilities were just given to me to enjoy. That’s it. They are my key to fun. They are not my key to feeling acceptable as a human. And when that weight is taken off of art, creativity can just be enjoyed, so nothing is on the line. If people like my artwork, I’m happy. I like it, and I’m glad when someone else does too. If someone doesn’t like it, that’s got to be okay. Nothing is on the line. So when someone critiques my work, I really try to take a deep breath and listen. Over and over again, I have been able to glean something from every critical comment. Every artist has got to be okay with the idea that they are not perfect; that they make mistakes and that they are still growing. The most difficult people I’ve ever been around are those that are convinced that they never make mistakes. The other group of people that are really difficult to be around are those that think they SHOULD NEVER make mistakes and when they do, they nose dive into depression. Both types of people are arrogant…two sides of the same coin. I don’t want to be like that.

“I have learned that my art abilities were just given to me to enjoy. That’s it.”

The man I want to be informs the artist I want to be. My faith tells me that my Creator loves me and approves of me. That faith says that one day I will stand before him. Him. Only him. That faith teaches me that I am forgiven and loved and approved by him already. And if that is true, then there doesn’t exist anyone whose critique or disapproval can undo the approval my creator promises me I already have.

Honestly, that’s what I remind myself every time I receive a critique. Nothing is on the line. And in every critique, if I listen, there may just be an element or two of wisdom and I can use that wisdom to improve my craft. And because I love my craft, I want it to be constantly improving. Critiques are just part of that.