This is the question I seem to get asked the most from young artists, and it is the hardest one to answer. Inspiration comes from everywhere, but it usually starts with things I have read, things I have seen, music that I listen to, and dreams. Those go into the brain filter and come out the other side in the form of sketches, little writings, and finally a painting or drawing.
For the painting I am currently working on, these clowns that I bought on ebay a while back insisted on being featured. Although I usually don’t paint clowns, for reasons I won’t go into, I wanted to do something circusy.
I also recently saw the Mexican women surrealist show, “In Wonderland” at the LA Count Museum, and it was unbelievable. Remedios Varo was one of my favorites, and I became a little obsessed with drawing her.
I start jotting down ideas about what I am going to do, concepts and symbolism, all the heady stuff.
I also do little rough drawings of characters and little scenes. Some don’t make the cut, but once in a while I find something I can use!
Finally they make the long journey from idea to thing, and end up in a painting or drawing! The strangest combinations are possible...
Enjoy your imagineering, and remember, inspiration comes from everywhere!
For more peeks into my sketchbook process, check out this little feature on the Hi-Fructose Magazine site!
Of course you bought spooky clowns that would send most people running! Thanks for sharing your inspiration. In turn, your work inspires so many more writers, artists, demons, elves and people in general!
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