Break Out of Your Rut

Are you stuck in a creative rut and don't know how to get inspired for art?

Don't worry! Because the inspiration for art is everywhere, and you can find your creative muse again with some friendly encouragement. That's why in this blog post, I will share my personal strategy with you for getting inspired to create art and some inspiring art ideas to help you find that creative spark within you again.

Plus, I'm going to challenge you to make cool things every day for 90 days to create something amazing.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I wrote this blog post for myself because we all go through times when we get stuck in a creative rut and can't seem to find our inspiration. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget how important it is to keep creating. That's why I'm challenging myself (and you, if you'd like) to Make Cool Things Every Day for the next 90 days.

This is what you can expect from this post:

• Inspiration for Art: Find creative fuel to ignite your art projects
• Inspiring Art: Explore the world of creative art and learn how to steal like an artist
• Make Cool Things Every Day 90-Day Challenge: Take on this challenge to create something amazing.

So if you're ready to break out of your creative rut – let's get started!

Inspiration for Art: Find creative fuel to ignite your art projects

Creative fuel can come from anywhere – a song on the radio, a picture in a magazine, or even something as simple as the sunlight streaming through the window – inspiring art ideas can come from anything!

The key is to find something that resonates with you and use it as a starting point.

So, where can you find creative fuel?

Here are some of my go-to methods for finding inspiring art ideas:

Take inspiration from everyday objects:

A great way to find inspiration for art is to take inspiration from everyday objects. This could be something as simple as a leaf on the ground or a picture on a billboard, or even from people's clothing. By looking at objects in a new way, you can find interesting shapes, colors, and textures that you can use in your artwork.

I'm always looking for interesting urban textures and colors like brick, concrete, packaging, and graffiti when I'm out and about. By looking for patterns in everyday objects, you can find lots of creative ideas for your artwork.

What about you?

What everyday objects can you find creative inspiration from?

Read books & magazines

Another great way to get inspired is to scan through magazines and books to spark your imagination. Chances are, you'll find a few images or words that jump out at you and spark your creativity. This can be especially useful if you want to create artwork in a particular style or genre, like contemporary, pop, or type-based art.

My favorite types of books and magazines to browse for inspiration are photography books, pop culture magazines, and art history books. All of these contain a wealth of visual information that can help you find your creative flow.

Do you have a favorite book or magazine you like to browse for creative inspiration?

Listen to music:

Music can be a great source of inspiration for making art. So listen to your favorite bands or artists, and use the energy from their music to spark your creativity.

Because my art is heavily influenced by art from the 60s and 70s, I like to listen to music from that era, like psychedelic and classic rock. And when I want to get pumped up to give my art a more modern edge, I've been listening to a lot of punk music lately.

And here's another tip I often use to get into a creative groove: Try playing a song or playlist on a repeating loop while you work – it will help get you to keep your focus.

What kind of music do you like to listen to while creating artwork?

Be open to new experiences:

Trying new things can also help you find inspiration for art. This could be anything from listening to new music to going to a different part of town. By exploring different environments and experiences, you can discover new perspectives and ideas that can help fuel your creativity.

New sources of inspiration for me have come from exploring new neighborhoods, going to flea markets and antique shops, and even traveling to different countries.

Where would you like to explore for some new creative inspiration?

Explore nature:

Finally, remember to take inspiration from nature! Spend time in nature, observing the shapes and textures of plants, rocks, trees, and anything else you find interesting. Because spending time outdoors in parks, botanical gardens, and forests is a great way to be inspired by the greatest artist of all, nature.

Even though my art is urban-inspired, whenever I'm feeling a creative block, I like to take a walk in the woods with my loving wife, Kiki. This time is very inspirational and refreshing, and it also gives me a new perspective on creating my artwork.

Do you like to spend time in nature for creative inspiration? How does it help you?

The key takeaway: Inspiring art ideas are everywhere — you just have to look for them! Be open-minded and explore different sources of creative fuel to ignite your art projects. Whether it's music, books, everyday objects, or nature – keep an eye out for those precious moments of inspiration that can help you create amazing art!

Explore the world of creative art

Get inspired by other artists.

Sometimes, it can be helpful to look at other artists' works to get your creativity flowing again. So take a look at the works of your favorite artists and see how they approach their artwork. It could be anything from their color palette to how they construct compositions that can help you think outside the box and create something great!

I'm a huge fan of the works of Donald Judd, Frank Stella, and Sol LeWitt. Seeing their artworks helps give me special insight into my own artistic approach – it can help me feel confident in what I'm creating and trust my creative instincts.

Who are some of your favorite artists that inspire you? How do their works influence your own artwork?

The key takeaway: Explore and be curious about other artists' work for creative inspiration. Seeing how other artists approach their work can help you unlock your own creativity and make it easier for you to create amazing artwork.

Steal like an artist

You may have heard the phrase "steal like an artist," but what does this mean in terms of getting inspired for art?

Stealing like an artist is about understanding that great ideas come from remixing elements from other artists' work. Inspiration comes from looking at things differently and combining elements of different sources to create something new. But it's important to remember that this doesn't mean copying someone else's work directly – but rather using it as a jumping-off point for your creative process.

"Good artists copy; great artists steal." – Pablo Picasso

For example, if you're an abstract painter, look at the work of other abstract painters and pull elements from it that can help you push your artwork forward. Or, if you're a graphic designer, study the work of great designers and use them as source material to create something unique.

How to Steal Like an Artist

When finding inspiration for art, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. In fact, many famous artists have been inspired by the work of other artists. So if you're looking for new ideas, why not try to steal like an artist?

Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

1. Start by exploring as many different forms of art as you can. Look for ideas outside of your own field. And don't limit yourself to just one type of art or medium. Whether painting, drawing, photography, writing, music or something else, there's no limit to what kind of art you should explore.

2. Look at other artists' work closely by breaking down a piece of artwork or an idea from another artist and figure out how it was constructed. What techniques are they using? What colors do they favor? What shapes do they use most often? And try to find elements that you can incorporate into your own art.

3. Research different techniques and methods that other artists use. Think about how you can adapt their techniques to create something unique. Use this research to get out of your comfort zone by trying something new as an artist.

4. Remix the work of others: Another great way to steal like an artist is to remix the work of others. This means taking elements from different pieces of artwork and combining them into something new. Not only is this a fun way to experiment with art, but it can also lead to exciting and unique art pieces.

My artistic remix confession:

If I'm going, to be honest, I am a master of the steal. I'm constantly taking elements from different sources of inspiration and remixing them in my own way. This helps me create artwork that is both fresh, familiar, and original at the same time.

This is why when I'm feeling creatively drained, one of my favorite ways to get inspired for art again is by starting an imitation of something that inspires me. Because I know this will always lead me to exciting branching paths of new creative ideas.

An example is when I took inspiration from a Donald Judd minimalism woodblock print of two black rectangles on white paper and used it as the basis for this minimalism graffiti collage.

The result is unique and modern but still recognizable in its aesthetic form.

The key takeaway: What's important to remember is that when you're stealing like an artist, it's not about copying someone else's work directly. It's about using their art as a jumping-off point for your own creative work. So just make sure you add your own twist and give credit where credit is due.

Make Cool Things Every Day!

Because inspiration often comes from practice, challenge your creative muscles by making something cool every day!

You don't have to make something grand or impressive– it could be a simple sketch or doodle, an experiment with color, or a mix of media. Because even the simplest of ideas can lead to something amazing.

So if you're stuck in a creative rut, try some of these simple tips:

• Keep a sketchbook because Inspiration can strike at any moment, so having a sketchbook handy can help you capture those ideas when they come.
• Experiment with different mediums: Painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, or something else – try out something new and see what happens.
• Playing with scale, color, and texture can also help you come up with inspiring art ideas.
  Take a bunch of old magazine pages, paper scraps, and other elements and see what art you can make from them.
• Challenge yourself to make something quickly by settting a timer for 30 minutes and see what you can make without overthinking things.

By following these helpful tips, you will break out of your creative rut. All you need is a little practice and experimentation.

The Make Cool Things Every Day 90-Day Challenge

The premise behind this challenge is simple: use your creativity to make something new every day for 90 days and see what happens.

You don't have to try to make a masterpiece every day – but rather practice creativity and get used to being in the creative mindset. Because inspiration doesn't always come in a big flash - it can start with small works of art that eventually snowball into larger projects.

So, if you're feeling creatively drained, why not try this challenge?

How this challenge works:

The best part of this challenge is that there are no rules – But here are a few tips to help you get started:

Make time for art each day.

To get started, make sure to set aside some time each day to focus on your creative practice. This could mean anything from spending an hour in the morning to a few minutes during your lunch hour or working on this challenge in the evenings.

My favorite time to create is in the evening.
When do you feel the most inspired?

The important thing is that you dedicate some time, even if it's just 10 minutes, for your creative practice every day.

Mix it up.

Try to look at this challenge as an opportunity to experiment with different mediums, techniques, and styles. So you don't have to stick to one medium or theme. Because sometimes, it's the act of doing something different that leads to the most creative ideas.

Play out loud.

Sharing your work. Inspiring others is a great way to stay motivated, so remember to share your progress on social media.

Keep a journal.

During this challenge, take notes along the way and document your progress with sketches and photos so you can look back and see how far you've come. Because at the end of this challenge, you will have a collection of works that you can use to showcase your artistic journey.

Doing this challenge is worth it!

At first, it may feel like a lot of work – but soon enough, you'll start to see patterns in your creative process and notice how making art every day can spark your inspiration.

This challenge will help you hone your skills, get inspired for art, and push your creative boundaries. You will build creative momentum and get back into the swing of creating amazing art. And once you complete this challenge, you'll feel abundant creative energy!

So why not give it a try?

Join me on this challenge!

Take the Make Cool Things Every Day 90-Day Challenge, and let's create inspiring art ideas together!

Here's what you can expect from me:

• A free copy of the Make Cool Things Every Day how-to guide
• Encouragement and support
• Creative habit-building tips
• Weekly challenges
• And much more!

Sign up now, and let's get started!