Plants are the inspiration for many of my pieces. I love that they come in all sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and patterns. And I love that plants can be similar yet unique in their own special way.
While honeymooning in Thailand I was renewed with a new found inspiration and love for plants.
But you don’t have to travel halfway across the world (and get married) to find inspiration. Here’s 5 of my go-to tactics when I’m in a creative slump:
Take a walk
Getting out into nature or just stepping away from a project is a healthy was to give myself space and relax. Whether I’m stuck on a project or the creative juices just aren’t flowing, getting out into the world can have a reviving affect. For me, this can be as simple as a walk around the block or a quick trip to a garden or in some cases Home Depot. Seeing nature and it’s beauty is calming and inspiring to me.
Take photos
Whenever I find something inspiring, I take a picture on my phone- hence all the plant photos from Thailand. These make for great reference ideas and can also be helpful to look through when searching for new inspiration.
Open a book
I use a couple botanical, cactus, and stitchery books as reference when working on new ideas. They are very helpful when I want to add variety to my work or try a new stitch for a different texture. After using them as inspiration I close them before doing any sketching so that while inspired by my reference materials, I don’t try to inadvertently copy anything.
Keep a notepad/sketchbook
During times when I feel an inundation of creativity, I sketch out ideas or create a list of ideas that I’d like to sketch in the future. This has proven helpful on countless occasions, because I often forget things or can get into a creative rut.
Pick up an old project
Sometimes stepping away from my current project and picking up an older one can give me new perspective on both. By stepping away from a current project, my brain can put it on the back burner and noodle over it a bit. When picking up an old project I’ve found it can bring new life and ideas into something I had not been excited to work on.
As Jack London says, “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.”