What's Inspiring Me Lately
Little bits and bobs from life that have been sticking in my brain
In my last article I mentioned that I keep a commonplace notebook (if you are a notes nerd like me Jillian Hess has a fantastic substack all about how creatives keep notes including lot’s of details about commonplace notebooks, highly recommend!).
I like to jot things down that stand out to me, or sometimes random ideas that pop into my head. Sometimes they lead nowhere but sometimes they also lead somewhere fantastic such as:
a new illustration
a youtube video
a new picture book idea
a substack article
a new hobby
a paradigm shift
etc.
I also love to see what is inspiring other artists and creatives out there. It’s so interesting to see what’s behind all the things that we make even the super subliminal things. So here are some of the bits and bobs that have been staying stuck in my brain of late (or written down because I’m worried they won’t stick and I don’t want to lose it! haha)
Books that are lighting me up
I read quite a bit. More than the average person or so the internet tells me. Did you know the average person - in the United States- only reads about 12 books per year? (according to said internet) I actually think that’s not too bad considering all the demands we have on our time and attention these days.
Tangent aside, I read around 80-130 books per year depending on the length of the books and the current state of my mental health. There are so many good ones it would be impossible to mention them all but here are some that are sticking more in my brain than others at the moment:
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. My paperback copy is full of underlines, notes and tabs. This is a book originally published in Japan and was recently translated for English readers. And I am so SO grateful! This book was so lovely and had such a profound message about life. They are a collection of loosely connected stories about various individuals in various stages of life facing a variety of setback and life crisis’s. Each story shows how the character was guided to finding their life purpose and connection. The one thing they all have in common is a visit to the same library. It was so wholesome and I just felt so seen as a person while reading it. That feeling is something I’ve always wanted to be able to include in my artwork and creative projects - the feeling of being seen.
The Entire Jane Austen Collection. This month on Patreon we are doing a Jane Austen artwork theme and I had forgotten how much I truly love these books. I am actively hyping up my favorite- Persuasion as I cannot be persuaded (unintentional pun) that this is not the best of Jane Austen’s published works. I will die on this hill.
Art, Music, Media
Music-wise I’ve been consuming everything by Benson Boone. Love his music and so excited for his new album coming out next month. “Mystical Magical” has been playing on repeat in my studio lately.
Some Artwork by artist’s I love that have been inspiring me, they’re all so lovely:
🎨 This piece by at katiedaisy_artist (IG). This painting is giving me major back to school vibes
🖌️ These adorable neocolor pastel drawings by at dearelaineco (IG). I love her colors and she inspires me to use my neocolors.
📖 This collage by at sue_rahel (IG). OMG. I already adore her gouache paintings but this collage piece is just so darling! I hope to try this soon in my sketchbook.
Some Substack Newsletters I’ve loved lately:
✨ I emailed my Portfolio to 180 art directors, this is what happened - by VALERIE PARIZEAULT in her ‘The Late Bloomer Club’ newsletter.
✨ How to draw in public without feeling like a weirdo - by CARYS WRIGHT in her ‘Adventures with a Pen’ newsletter
✨ Auditing Children Book Illustrators Portfolio Websites This Week: 5 Crucial Homepage Elements Most Illustrators Miss. - by ARTISTINMAKING
Nature and Travel
One thing I am really excited for is PEONIES. As soon as we arrived at our new home here in Germany I planted 5 peony roots to overwinter in our backyard. Every single one of them has grown into a large and thriving plant and a few even have buds forming for flowers. I don’t know if they will ever open since apparently peonies are very unlikely to flower in their first year but I am so happy that they’re doing as well as they are! This is my first year trying to grow flowers of any variety so flowers and just the act of growing things has been influencing me a lot lately. (if you have any peony advice for me please let me know!)
Recently my family and I traveled to a beautiful town in France right on the border of Germany called Strasbourg. It was so picturesque. There was a darling neighborhood called ‘La Petite France’ and it looked just like the town in the animated Beauty and the Beast. I can’t stop thinking about it.
I have booked a solo trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia this summer and I am so excited to explore the old town and the beaches. Apparently this was a filming location for game of thrones although I have not watched it but I can see how it would be the perfect setting for a fantasy series.
Some Quotes I’ve Written Down Recently:
“not every drawing needs to prove that you are or aren’t a ‘good’ artist” - Illustration Department
“If you’re making a living as an artist then you are truly performing a miracle. Society is not built for us to thrive.” - Timothy Goodman
Captain Wentwort: “Are we finished?” Anne Elliot: “…I suppose so.” (From Persuasion - Netflix version)
“Don’t Be Afraid to Be Seen Trying” - This is a note that popped up on Substack for me and I screen-shotted it because I just had to be able to refer back to it. It spoke to something in me:
And last but not least:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive.” Howard Thurman
I truly believe that you should do at least one thing every day that makes you come alive. ✨
That being said
These are a lot of the little things that have been energizing my creativity lately. As I’ve grown in my art practice I’ve come to realize that inspiration isn’t usually a big lightning bolt (although that does sometimes happen) but it’s usually lot’s of tiny little sparks that makes us feel something. So pay attention to the little bits and bobs in your life that spark something in you. Collect those things and let them guide you!
What is making you come alive? What’s inspiring you lately? I’d love to know!
Until next time,
🤍Amber