8 Ways to Invigorate Your Inspiration

I love to revisit projects that for whatever reason got put on hold. I also like to rethink older work with fresh eyes. I know I will never run out of ideas for projects because I am inspired by the steps I have already taken. I am curious to explore alternative outcomes if I tried a different size, or color, or composition. Years ago, I played a video game where the character had to navigate a maze and figure out the traps and bonuses. When he successfully reached the end, he jumped through the gold ring and progressed to the next level. The landscape of the new level looked different but there were many similarities to the traps and maze. He was seeing the same patterns but from a higher perspective, like a view from an ascending spiral.

How can you invigorate and shake up your inspiration with a fresh perspective? I love to build upon the remains of the last piece. I also never want to waste resources, so whether it is using up leftovers, recycling scraps into my compost or repurposing art supplies, I reinvent, reuse or reimagine things. I find traveling, whether it is going down a different street to reach my usual destination or going to a new town or country always shakes up my point of view. Our minds begin to edit out things we are used to seeing and novelty invigorates our senses and builds new awareness muscles. Today I share some of my favorite ways to shake things up and invigorate my imagination.

1. Working in series is always a great way to expand on an idea, whether it is using colors, concepts or composition

Here is a favorite of mine: Choose 3-4 colors plus black and white and mix your palette. Use four pieces of paper cut the same size. Paint the first painting using one color as the dominant color, the next painting in the series will have one of the other colors as the dominant color in the composition. Continue until you have four versions. If you like this idea of working with a limited palette you may want to pick up my Mixed Media Soul Sparks-January edition. Click here for more info. To make it more of a challenge, remix your palette using the same colors, but combined in different ratios.

2. Expand your imagination by coming up with ways to repurpose things you already have. I just discovered a store that takes old clothes and recycles the fabrics into new material, how brilliant is that!

I use a large plastic cutting board as a palette. Use one that is labeled HDPE and has a smooth surface. You may also use a heavy plastic, like a plastic drop cloth. A trash bag will also work but be sure it is a thick plastic. I use it as my palette and once the paint is dry, I peel it off and I have a paint skin I can add into my work. An alternative surface to use are plastic page protectors. You may find these in the recycle stores or perhaps in your own closet. The image attached to this blog is an example of this, I used saved packaging materials and boxes from products.

3. I always keep an extra piece of paper, a canvas or a panel around to clean off my brushes, place leftover paint or pastes or whatever leftovers I have. After a time of discharging paints onto the surface, I have a good texture piece or colored background to jumpstart a new painting.

4. I like to paint the edges of my gallery wrapped canvas, so the artwork continues around the sides. I have finished a side after completing the painting and discovered I really loved the mini composition on the edge. Take a photo and use it as a jumping off point for another painting. Play with the scale in your phone as well to make a long narrow piece wider.

5. Work on a large piece of paper or un-stretched canvas. When you have a lot of color and texture happening, grab a viewfinder and discover the hidden treasures within the larger piece. You can then cut up the paper or canvas and you have some new little paintings.

6. Find inspiration from the minis to crank up the size. You can use a grid to translate from small to large. Google it and you will find various ways to do this. Also, turn it upside and work on it from this new perspective.

7. I love making color cards. When I see a color palette I love, I mix up color swatches with those colors. I have a color book where I have painted some of my favorite color combos. Then when I am looking for inspiration, I grab my color book. It always invigorates my inspiration. Remember to write the names and formulas of the colors you mixed.

8. Find inspiration for composition in nature. Take your phone outside and snap some photos of sidewalk cracks, tree shadows or other things that grab your eye. Convert the image to greyscale and then crop to create and abstract composition. You can then grab your color palette book and you are on your way to a whole new series!

What are some ways that you mix it up, keep it fresh and inspire your next project?