A painter of Dallas contemporary artwork, Esther Ritz, says about inspiration, “There is no one place to get inspiration--it is different for each artist.” Artists are inspired by things they are passionate about. Some sources of inspiration are hobbies or other interests, nature, people, music, the works of others, and art supplies them.
Some people use their interests to fuel their art. Leonardo da Vinci’s passion about science is clearly evident in his great works of art. There are still many people inspired by science. In today’s world, people may also use their interest in sports, politics, current events, carpentry, cars, architecture, and many other things to kindle their artistic talent.
Nature is a classic place from which to draw inspiration. The beauty of natural landscapes, plants, and animals is unparalleled by things of human design. From beautiful ocean views, to winter snow, to a desert landscape, scenery can be stunning and therefore very inspirational, especially for painting. Sometimes there is a special place that means a lot to you - your grandmother’s garden, for instance, or another outdoor setting for which you have special memories. Most beginners begin drawing natural objects, such as fruit or flowers. These ordinary organic shapes help develop the artist’s eye for details while inspiring the artist through their surprising uniqueness. Many famous masterpieces contain elements of nature.
People are inspiring. Expressing beauty, violence, sadness, people often make the most interesting subjects. For instance, the Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Many people have looked at her and wondered, “Who was she? What was she thinking when her portrait was painted?” Observing people can inspire an artist. Even if the goal isn’t to make a representation of those people, the feelings and moods evoked can be powerful.
Music also elicits strong emotions. Many artists listen to music to renew the flow of creative energy. Different music works for different people. Some artists insist that music without lyrics is better to listen to while engaging in art creation. Other artists listen to a wide variety of music while they create.
The works of others are also often used as a source of inspiration. Many artists will begin by copying great masterpieces. Visiting art galleries and museums can stimulate a person’s creativity. Viewing both great masterpieces and contemporary works of art can be beneficial. Other interesting and popular sources of visual inspiration are youtube, television, movies, plays, anime, magazines, graffiti, and watching others paint.
Esther Ritz, a painter of Dallas contemporary artwork explains that she gets her inspiration “from color combinations and the energy I feel as I paint and the art itself as it evolves.” What motivates some artists is to gather their art supplies and look at them. Even walking though an art supply shop, looking at what is available and making some purchases, can be incredibly exciting. For these artists, choosing what materials to use inspires and motivates them as they begin their works of art.