Sunset on Patong Beach

What inspires you to create?  Have you ever really given it much thought?  I definitely know when I am inspired.  But, do I know where to go or what to do to get inspiration when I need it?

I sat down the other day and made a list of things that inspire me.  It took quite a while. I was surprised by some things on my list. In general I guess you could say I am inspired by art, nature, music, children, antiques, travel, and art supplies. Below you will find my list in detail, giving more specifics.

• travel – seeing new things or visiting places I love,

• viewing other people’s art work in a museum or gallery,

• light and shadow bending, curving, dancing around and through objects,

• reflected light,

• beautiful sunrises and sunsets,

• flowers blooming,

• old rustic architecture,

• brilliant colored cloth,

• a pathway meandering through the woods,

• the blues of the ocean,

• a child’s smile and wondering eyes,

• produce at a farmer’s market,

• running horses,

• new art supplies,

• a kitten curled up in a ball,

• listening to Native American flute music,

• a cozy corner for reading,

• water lapping on shore,

• the sound of children laughing and playing,

• a field of lavender,

• the silence of the woods after a snow,

• the sound of wind through the tree tops,

• a caterpillar transforming to a butterfly,

• birds gliding through the air,

• a new sketchbook,

• and watching an artist do a demonstration or talk about their art work.

Now that I know what inspires me I can go get my inspiration when the well runs dry.  Sometimes when I hit a place in my writing or painting I find myself going outside to breath in the air, feel the sunshine on my skin, smell the flowers or listen to the birds chirping.  Instinctively I am drawn to a place I need for inspiration.

I’m going to save my list so I can continue to add to it. I wonder if my list will change as time goes on?