How To Find Inspiration From Other Artists
Drawing from the Arts
One of the best ways I’ve found to find inspiration, is by looking at what’s possible. What have other artists painted, sculpted, woven, filmed, photographed, and created?
Why Is It Important To Draw From Other Artists?
I love to read books and watch documentaries about other artists. Even the smallest thing can fuel my inspiration. While you may not be directly inspired by their style of work, simply listening to other artists talk about their artwork and their processes helps to connect us to a community of creative souls and open our world to more creative expression.
There’s nothing like seeing paintings in the flesh, so whenever possible, I recommend visiting a gallery. If you live away from the city, next time you visit the big smoke, schedule in some time for a gallery visit and see what takes your eye.
Make a note of the artists names and research them when you get home.
Discover 3 Artists Who Inspire You
For this Playsheet, I want to encourage you to discover at least three artists who inspire you. You may be moved by the subject they make work about, or you may love their style of imagery, or you may love the texture or colours they use in their work.
Then, learn a little bit more about them. The more you know about an artist, including the era in which they were making the artwork and what was happening in society at that time, or how they grew up, or what have been their motivations for creating what they’ve made, the more understanding and appreciation you’ll likely have for their work as well.
One of my favourite things is walking into a gallery and seeing work by an artist I admire, and feeling a sense of connection and joy at seeing their work; almost as though it’s like seeing an old friend.
You’ll know when you see work that moves you. You’ll feel a pull in your core. Don’t second-guess it or allow others to influence your attraction to the piece. Art is a personal experience most of the time, and finding works or artists you love is a deeply rewarding process, but it does take time and effort.
You need to put yourself in positions where you’ll see paintings for starters. So let’s take a look at how you can get to see, and savour, artworks that move you and call to your heart.
Where To Find Artists & Paintings That Inspire You
If you’re new to the art scene, it can feel a bit daunting about where to go to see artwork. But there are plenty of places you can immerse yourself in a world of images, paintings, stories and creations. Here’s a list to get you started:
#1 Art Galleries
There are different types of galleries; public and private. Let’s take a look at what makes them different.
Public Galleries
Public Galleries are funded by the government and their collections are available for viewing and enjoyment by the public. State Galleries are usually found in the capital city of that state and house a wide collection of artworks spanning back through the centuries. State galleries often have rotating exhibitions of works from other collections which have been currated around a theme, style or artist. So you might get a visiting exhibition of The Impressionists or of Monet, for example. If you do get either of those exhibitions, I encourage you to make every effort to go! It will wow the socks off you.
In Brisbane, which is the city closest to where I live, we’re lucky enough to have two major public galleries; the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. Both are funded by the government and have permanent collections as well exhibitions of new works. So there’s always something new to see!
National Galleries
National Galleries are also public galleries and are usually found in the country’s state capital. In Australia, our national gallery is in Canberra and houses important works from a wide range of periods, from the ancient Chinese dynasties through to modern paintings that capture national icons such as the famous Ned Kelly series painted by Sydney Nolan.
I love to visit the National Gallery anytime I can, because the range of works on display is always inspiring. You may like to schedule a visit to Canberra just to tour the Art Gallery and amazing museums. They also now have the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra which is full of portraits of famous and infamous Australians.
Private/Commercial Galleries
Commercial galleries are owned by people in the private sector and operate as a business. It’s where you go to buy artwork. Each commercial gallery will have a different ‘flavour’ or style and it’s well worth visiting as many as you can to get a feel for what kind of artwork they exhibit. They may exhibit established artists who are already well known, or they may exhibit artists who are emerging in the industry, or they may exhibit a mixture of both.
Gallerists tend to be very busy people, trying to run a small business and also take care of customers, so if you walk in and no-one says hello, don’t worry. Just walk around and take a look at all the artworks, knowing it’s the normal and acceptable thing to do. The more you go, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
Make a note of the artists who’s work inspires you, collect any biographical information or CV they have to take, and stick the exhibition invite in your visual journal. You can also ask to be added to the gallery’s mail out list, so you receive invitations to the openings of future exhibitions, which is a lovely way to support the arts and enjoy an afternoon or evening out.
Art Guide
If you’re in Australia, you may like to browse what’s on at galleries around the country, and search by post-code to find exhibitions near you on the super handy Art Guide website. http:// artguide.com.au
#2 Museums
Museums can sometimes house paintings as well as objects, and depending on the one you’re visiting, they can also house sculptures. See what museums are in your area, or when you’re next taking a holiday, pop in and see the works on display.
#3 Art Biennales
Art biennales are exhibitions that take place every two years. Before I went to university, I’d never heard of them, but they’ve since become one of my favourite reasons to travel. Two of the most impressing Biennales in the world are the Sydney Biennale and the Venice Biennale. I like to say that the Venice Biennale is like the Olympics of the art world. It’s where each nation chooses one artist to represent them and they all show around the canals of Venice.
Many of the works on display aren’t meant to be beautiful, but instead will be there to highlight a political, social and environmental concern, so biennales can be a bit of a mental workout as much as a workout of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and drink plenty of water.
If you ever get the opportunity to go, do it. It’s an experience unlike any other.
#4 Local Or State Library
Visit your local library and look up ‘art’ or ‘artists’ in the catalogue, then go to that section and browse the books on display. You’ll probably stumble on artists you’ve never heard of before and may just find a new creative hero. Make a note of the name of the artists you’re drawn to, and put them in your journal.
#5 Google
Good old Google is a great way to find images of artists’ work who you admire. Simple click on ‘images’ beside ‘web’ at the top of your search results and browse all the images in your search. One thing will lead to another in Google!
#6 Gallery Websites
If you can’t make it to a gallery in person, or you would like to research an artist more in depth, then visit gallery websites. From the Tate Modern in London to the local gallery up the road, you’re bound to find a vast array of images and information on their website.
Here’s a list of gallery websites to get you started:
Sophie Gannon Gallery
Phillip Bacon Galleries
Heiser Gallery
Tate Modern Gallery
London National Gallery
#7 Instagram
Instagram is a visual way to ‘meet’ other artists. I sometimes browse hashtags such as #watercolour, #painting, #artist, #artistsofinstagram and see who I might like to follow.
You can see the images under the hashtag for #artistsofinstagram here. There are new images on there every day.
#8 Art 21
Art 21 has a huge archive of contemporary artists who are (mostly) still alive and working as artists in the 21st century. You can browse the comprehensive list here or search for someone you admire: http://www.art21.org/artists. Art 21 also has heaps of videos on different artists for you to enjoy a glimpse into their worlds and art practices.
#9 Magazines
Magazines focus on all manner of different topics these days, including contemporary art. You may like to pick up a copy of Art Review, Art Almanac, Artlink, or Art Monthly.
#10 YouTube
Now owned by Google, Youtube is a great way to search for artists online. One search leads to other recommendations, so you never know who’s inspiring work you might stumble on!
Your Project
Find at least three artists whose work inspires you.
Find out their names, when and where they were born, and as much as you can about what influences them or inspires them. What is their message? What do they care about? What comes through in their work?
Write 400 - 600 words on each artist, recording the information above.
Then, write down what it is about their work that draws you to it. Is it the colour, the way they apply the paint, the feeling you get when you look at it? Can you describe the feeling? Are you moved by their subject matter, their way of life, or their philosophies? Ask yourself these questions and record your answers in your visual journal.
You’re beginning to get an idea of what’s possible, and also what it is that moves you. You can begin to combine these elements in your own paintings as you explore your Personal Authentic Inspiration that you’ll discover in the next Playsheet called “The Picture of You.”
For now, choose three artists and write a short bio on each, making sure to record what moves you personally about their work in your visual journal.
Have fun! It’s an adventure! You’re on your way to find more things that you love, and discovering more things to love is always rewarding.
Join us in Flourish: The Art of Creative Living
Flourish: The Art of Creative Living is a great online program to join if you want support to nurture and express your creativity. The program offers classes in painting, writing, photography, and other creative disciplines, taught by yours truly, and a host of incredible guest teachers including professional artists, writers, designers and creatives.
In addition to learning new skills, you'll also have the opportunity to meet other people who share your interest in the arts, mindfulness and living intentionally. Flourish includes 12 months of membership inside my Creative Hearts Community which is a beautiful, supportive and welcoming community, and it's a great place to explore your creativity.
I warmly invite you to join Flourish so you can learn to paint, express yourself creatively, and meet other like-minded people. 💕 Find out all the details and join us in Flourish: The Art of Creative Living here.
I hope this list of ideas has spurred you on to consider where you can find other artists who inspire you. Please leave a comment sharing which creatives you find inspiring! I imagine us all finding new inspiration from each other’s lists. So much fun!
About Nicola Newman
I'm a Creative Business Coach, Award-Winning Artist & Mentor for Creative Hearts who want to flourish, flow & prosper.
My passion is inspiring and supporting Creative Hearts to trust their inner wisdom and carve out a life that’s personally meaningful and fulfilling to them.
I share practical, evidence-based tools for Creative Hearts seeking to improve their lives or businesses. My work draws from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based techniques, body-based practices, and neuroscience -- and my own creative living adventures -- among other approaches.
My mission is to support Creative Hearts to:
Dissolve creative blocks, develop a loving relationship with themselves, nurture their creativity and reframe the beliefs and patterns that keep them from following their heart and making the creative contribution they would love to make in the world.
My approach is to embrace gentleness, playfulness and self-care to navigate self-doubt and instead cultivate deep self-trust so you can truly enjoy the creative process, bring together your body of work, make money doing what you love and leave a creative legacy you’re proud of.
Let’s pour a cuppa and get to know one another, shall we? :) Read more about my story here.
