What sort of things inspire you to paint (acrylic, oil, etc.,)?

[busymama77]

I love to paint. It relaxes me....I've made stuff for the kids bathroom recently that came out really cute and DS1 loves them, but I would like to take it up a notch and maybe start making stuff for our bedroom, bathroom and the living room.   I see stuff at local stores like Home Goods, Marshall's that I know I could totally do at home and it would be something that I made...and didn't spend a fortune on! 

So, what sort of things inspire you to paint?  Do you sketch when you're out and you see stuff that makes you say "hey, I could totally do that myself?  Or do you sorrt of let it sink it then take it home and do your own thing with it? 

[rush2ady]

Awesome!  I had no idea there was a "Fine Arts" forum on MDC!  You just made my day! 

I clip cool images from magazines/newspapers which inspire me and keep them together in an envelope (Pier1 Imports has great ads for inspiration!). 

While surfing the net I also save my favorite images to a file specifically for this purpose.

Browsing the art prints section of home deco stores is great!...like you say, some of the ideas are super easy to make yourself. 

Look at online galleries or places like etsy and artfire as other ways to get new ideas and be inspired. 

I'm trying to get into the habit of always having a sketchbook with me!  Yesterday there was a lady in the choir at church whose face and demeanor just begged to be drawn and I was sooo annoyed I didn't have my sketchbook.  I think I'll make a small satchel just for my sketchbook and pencil case, and make a long strap so I can sling it on hands free.  Maybe that would help me take it more often. 

[panda]

Way to go - paint on!

 

I definitely get inspired by other people's paintings, in books, on the web, occasionally in person.

 

I've always loved drawing and painting, but for a while I was too hung up about what to paint, and why, and what it should mean, to the point that I'd never get started. 

 

A year ago I decided to make one painting a week (inspired by all the blogging daily painters on the web but not that ambitious!). When I paint regularly it stays in my mind, so I'm on the lookout for subjects at the grocery store, while driving, and on walks. I agree with Rush2ady about keeping a sketchbook on hand. I use mostly oil and some acrylic.

 

Blogging my paintings has helped me stick with it. Painting one thing inspires me to paint something else, and one goal leads to another. Also, when I'm not painting frequently I forget how much I enjoy it and get stuck on the intimidating questions again.

 

Daily Paintworks is an inspiring group of painters who just started up a weekly challenge anyone can participate in. It's a lot of fun. My DD and I have submitted art to it. 

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by panda 

Way to go - paint on!

 

I definitely get inspired by other people's paintings, in books, on the web, occasionally in person.

 

I've always loved drawing and painting, but for a while I was too hung up about what to paint, and why, and what it should mean, to the point that I'd never get started. 

 

A year ago I decided to make one painting a week (inspired by all the blogging daily painters on the web but not that ambitious!). When I paint regularly it stays in my mind, so I'm on the lookout for subjects at the grocery store, while driving, and on walks. I agree with Rush2ady about keeping a sketchbook on hand. I use mostly oil and some acrylic.

 

Blogging my paintings has helped me stick with it. Painting one thing inspires me to paint something else, and one goal leads to another. Also, when I'm not painting frequently I forget how much I enjoy it and get stuck on the intimidating questions again.

 

Daily Paintworks is an inspiring group of painters who just started up a weekly challenge anyone can participate in. It's a lot of fun. My DD and I have submitted art to it. 

Wow, great stuff, mama! Your paintings have certainly inspired me to do some still life drawings/paintings! Thank you.

[rush2ady]

Great work!  I love your paintings!
 

Originally Posted by panda 

Blogging my paintings has helped me stick with it. Painting one thing inspires me to paint something else, and one goal leads to another. Also, when I'm not painting frequently I forget how much I enjoy it and get stuck on the intimidating questions again.

 

Daily Paintworks is an inspiring group of painters who just started up a weekly challenge anyone can participate in. It's a lot of fun. My DD and I have submitted art to it. 

[<3mymom]

I am inspired by other people's paintings definitely, but also by the beautiful flowers I see outside or the shapes of the clouds. I prefer to paint really large murals on walls though so I only get to do that rarely and when I do I have plenty of ideas to draw from.

[TylerVo]

It's the one thing I'm good at and is a great means of expression.

[TylerVo]

Aside from just creating art for fun, I am creating intactivist art and social work that opposes circumcision. That is my motive for creating art. To protest and make congress pass an important bill in the near future five score years from now. This art will have a vital influence on the world and change the thinking of our senseless culture.