Beauty in the Little Things: My 10 Inspirations

Most of my blog posts have to do with struggles that I (as well as majority of other people) face in their day-to-day lives.

I want to switch gears a little bit and talk about something that I find especially valuable as an artist – inspiration.

It’s a good thing to be inspired. My definition of inspiration is to appreciate the beauty in something/someone/an event, and to be able to take that appreciation to create your own beauty.

When I say inspiration, I don’t just mean people and things that reaffirm that I am doing a good job. I’m talking about the stuff that makes me feel lucky and blessed to be alive; to have been given this ability to form pictures that is pleasing to the eye. It is so important to find inspiration not just in the big things, but in the little things too. I find that sometimes it’s the little things that I draw the biggest inspiration from, so I try to appreciate all things.

Here are ten things that I draw inspiration for my art from:

1. God

I put this one first because it is the most important to me. I would not be where I am if it wasn't for Him. He delivered me from a tough time in my life and gave me a gift to help build me back up. How can I not draw inspiration from that which I admire/love the most!

2. Husband

Here is the number one person in my corner! My husband Viji is the one person in the world who encourages me to the fullest. Even though he doesn't fully understand what I do, his love and support helps me see my artistic path more clearly. I consider myself extremely blessed to have him in my life. Thinking of him makes it easy to come up with new ideas and patterns for my art.

3. Nature

There is something about beautiful natural scenery that inspires me to draw/paint. I love going on trips where I witness different scenic views and come up with new techniques to use. I even get inspired seeing the hills in my backyard. It is so easy to draw inspiration from nature. Waves crashing together in the ocean have given me ideas for different patterns, and mountain ranges in a distance have inspired me to use different line structures in some of my work. I can come up with new ideas and techniques by appreciating the beauty of nature.

4. Good Situations

It is easy to be inspired when something positive happens in life. Good situations increase self-esteem and helps me trust myself when I make decisions. Itmakes me feel more confident in trying new things with my art.

5. Bad Situations

On the opposite side, negative events in life bring about discouragement. It can be hard to draw inspiration when something bad happens. However, sometimes the best thing to do in a bad situation is to look at the positive side. For me, that's usually how I get inspired. For example, one time I had a bad day at work, and felt discouraged at my abilities to perform my job. I took that frustration and decided to draw something to channel out those feelings. And that is how the painting "Serenity" came about (pictured above). Good things cna come from bad situations. It can make us stronger and teach us how to improve on things to avoid falling into the same predicament.

6. Music

"Thats my jam!" There's nothing like a good song that can turn a bad day into a hopeful one, or inspire you to create a masterpiece. I love listening to music, especially when I paint/draw. Fresh beats and lyrics about different topcs give me new perspectives and inspirations to come up with ideas for my art.

7. People

We all have those few people in our lives who uplift and motivate us. Besides my husband (who was previously listed), my parents, brothers, and a couple of my extended family members and friends (you know who you are) encourage me to pursue art with their constant support. Those special people are some of my biggest blessings. With loved ones who care about me like that, how can I not get inspired and want to be better in my craft?

8. Haters

Just as there are people who love and support you, there are also people who cannot wait to see you fall. Just like the saying goes, "haters are gonna hate". Those kind of people should not get the satisfaction of seeing you fail, especially when it comes to something you love doing. People who hate on you are the perfect inspiration to create something amazing. And what better way to stick it to them than to thrive on their hate?

9. Other Hobbies

Sometimes the best way to be inspired is to clear your head by diving into another hobby. For some, it's playing sports or being involved in a recreational activity. For others, it's spending time with friends or watching a movie. For me, I like to do some window-shopping (and sometimes making purchases, too). Doing something that I enjoy helps me open my mind to new possibilities and come up with new ideas.

10. Driving

As simple as it sounds, sometimes driving a car around can help clear your head and inspire you. When I find myself in a tough situation, I have realized that driving around, even if it is aimlessly, has helped me think things through and make rational decisions on how to proceed in my situation. However, you have to be careful if you are upset about something- it could cause you to drive more aggressively, which is more dangerous and I do not recommend that whatsoever. But driving around lets you get some fresh air and gives you the opportunity to sort the thoughts that are running through your head.

What are some of your inspirations? Let me know in the comments below!

Be blessed :-)