Artists tend to think visually and daydream. Do you look at random shapes and see faces? You’re not alone. Do you stare too long at something analyzing the light and shapes. Yep.

You might also find some of the following true.

1. When you have money for expensive brushes… it’s not for makeup brushes.

2. You occasionally (or not so occasionally) use your pastels for eye makeup.

3. You describe colors in terms of Vermillion, Sienna, Prussian… for starters.

4. You keep old calendars for inspiration and ‘just in case you need an idea.’

5. You’d rather draw/paint then talk.

6. You stare too long at something because your caught up in the negative spaces.

7. You ask for extra napkins at the restaurant, just because you might need something to capture your immediate thoughts on.

8. You love to smell ink and markers.

9. When you dig at the bottom of your purse, your fingers end up with color on them.

10. When your cat really needs attention it knows to lay down on your drawing.

11. You don’t think twice about spending money on pencils, but balk at $5 for a coffee.

12.You find yourself staring too long at someone because your figuring out their proportions
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13. Your in a meeting smiling because you just had a interesting visual that has nothing to do with anything that is being said.

14. You go to a restaurant and want to save the packaging or menu for future reference.

15. You can’t help but follow the shadows objects make.

16. Getting a perfectly sharp pencil is pure perfection.

17. The idea of having a day all to yourself is bliss.

18. You fantasize about your coworker… but on how to capture their likeness.

19. Watching clouds and the shapes is much more interesting than a movie.

20. You’ve eaten blades of grass to see what the color green taste like.

21. You collect random objects for inspiration.

22. You can’t stand to throw away blank paper.

23. You love to touch a blank canvas… and open a new tube of paint!

24. Time stands still when your in the zone…. hours pass and your surprised.

25. You enjoy observing crowds from the sidelines.

26. Wherever you go you have a sketchbook.

27. You never know when you’ll have a smudge of paint or graphite on your clothes, face or elbows.

28. When you meet another artist it’s like meeting a long lost family member.

29. Your still fascinated with a box of crayons.

30. You would choose to work on art rather than sleep.

What about you? What’s your giveaway?

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Artists are often perceived as a bit “different” from ordinary folks, but that’s a good thing isn’t it? Sometimes those of us who paint, draw, use charcoals or create art using other methods are inspired by things that others never notice, or think of as ordinary.

For those of us who are blessed with artistic talent (and there are all kinds), the world sometimes takes on a life of its own when your imagination is full of wonder and your creativity is just waiting to come out on a blank canvas.

Most of us (even those who are younger) have heard of Grandma Moses, even though it may have been in another context if you’ve heard someone say “as slow as Grandma Moses.” Grandma Moses was actually Anna Mary Robertson Moses, a renowned American folk artist who was born in 1860 and lived to be 101 years old. Like most of us, she thoroughly enjoyed working on her art, and viewed it more of a hobby that provided some extra money. “Grandma Moses” was unique and inspirational in that she did not begin her painting career or become a famous artist until she was in her late 70’s. An unpretentious woman, she couldn’t fathom why in the world anyone would pay high prices for her artwork. In fact, some of her paintings which sold early on for only about $5 later sold for thousands – up to $10,000, in fact.

That’s how it is with most of us artist-types; we’re so passionate about what we do, and for many of us it comes naturally. It’s sometimes hard to understand how some of the well-known artists of the world command tens of thousand of dollars, or even millions, for doing something they truly love and enjoy.

So, back to the subject. What inspires you as an artist? Can you sit at the edge of the forest and see how the shadows and light play on the colors of nature? Does traveling to an exotic location and seeing the unique geography, the rare crystal blue of the Caribbean, or the light houses on Cape Cod inspire you and give you ideas for your work? For some, people are inspiration. Others notice the symmetry or asymmetry of an object, the textures, colors, or pattern. Something as simple as a bird happily singing on a sunny spring morning can inspire you and jump-start your creativity!

What about you? Whether you are a fledgling artist just getting your start or have been creating for years, inspiration is the source of creativity and art. We’d love to hear what motivates and inspires you to create your greatest works!

Visit our Facebook page and share your inspiration, thoughts and art with our unique community of like-minded people.

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