An Artist's Inspiration

 How is an artist inspired?

Inspiration isn't just for artists, but is from the creative mind, as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something creative, a feeling of enthusiasm that can give you new ideas. The inventor, doctor or engineer who are working on one specific project accidentally finds something that inspires and benefits another of their projects. 

As a designer, writer and artist, I have always been in need of 'triggers'. This need to be inspired is what keeps the writer from writers block. As an Interior Designer, I am constantly in need of staying on top of the trends while keeping the feng shui basics in balance. But now, I search for that inspiration to paint as the artist in me is constantly trying to stay visually focused on my surroundings so not to miss being mentally stimulated. 

Photography is another type of art that I am easily taken to, wherever I travel.

I am a walker. I actually try and do 200 km a month, not that I am consistent, but that is my goal, which is around 300,000 steps. And, like most people, I have my phone/camera with me, or my Nikon. This photo below is one of my favourite that I captured while walking the shoreline of Crescent Beach, near White Rock, BC. It looks great in both colour and black and white, but the watercolour painting just didn't do it justice. The sparkle from the ocean waters and peacefulness following a spring day shower were lacking in luster. This Covid-19 photo shows social distancing at its peak.

Social Distancing

Whimsical Watercolour

Toddler on a Mission

My best walking partner is my granddaughter. From an early age she liked to bring Pooh Bear along wherever we went, whether it was to the local market, down to the dyke for ice cream or on an adventure, like through the fields of sunflowers. She had an eye for detail and liked to pick up every stick, flower or stone along the way. Walking was a good thing. She inspired many of my whimsical watercolours... like the bouquet of lilacs she picked up and had me put them into a jam jar of water so she could watch them grow bigger. 

There are so many thoughts, visuals, inspiring conversations, places and people that can 'trigger an idea' for us, whatever our endeavour. We just have to be focused at the time so we do not miss it. Most of the time, the ideas and answers are right in front of us.

Everything we create has a source.

You might have created a special meal, dessert or cocktail which was perhaps 'triggered' from a picture, visual, conversation, media ad or a 'maybe this might work' thought. A lot of my personal inspirations over the years have come from ...

• a memory from my past
• music/songs
• surroundings/environment
• magazines, books I have read, movies
• children at play
• conversations with the elderly (someone older than myself)
• visuals; photographs (traveling, vacations)
• meditations, quiet times, long walks

When I was living in Peterborough, Ontario I was writing an article on a Canadian Legend, Scott Young (the writer and father of singer Neil Young) who told me there is nothing called 'writers block' if you leave or stop writing in the middle of a sentence, because every time you come back, you just continue on with your train of thought. Staying active and around people is your source of inspiration.

View My Gallery:

A selection of whimsical watercolours and photography. Each piece is not just a picture, but has a story behind it. Something inspired me to paint it or photograph it.

Mallorys Design ArtWork