How to gather inspiration, almost 40 ideas to keep you inspired

                  

Sometimes you are inspired and sometimes you don't, so it's really precious to keep a way to put yourself in the mood to create and gathering some inspiration, right!

I think there are 2 ways of getting inspired, one is from within and the other is from the world around you.

Let me explain, my favorite way to get inspiration is to really do not know what I am going to create, this worked for me for many years, just starting to play with my materials and expecting something would be revealed to me. Meditation, moving your body ( dancing, stretching...) or just going with the flow to see what pops into your mind are ways to get into this creative flow.

However I love to not know and live the surprise of being surprised 😂 

Lately I have the need to be more intentional and simple about my process. That's why I am using watercolors and leaving my backgrounds white and creating with the intention of passing a message. For this type of work I like to go and gather some inspiration, from the world around me.

                  

Some ideas : 

-go to my Pinterest boards and register some shapes, colors and words that inspire me

-using an oracle card deck to take a message, for a starting point

-go for a walk and observe nature 

-make things in a different way, like the last large collage I did

-using my crystal pendulum ( I always have one around 😜) to know if some idea fits better with me than other

-go to a craft shop and be inspired by the materials and spend some money on it ( don't you love to do this)

-do an art class from an inspirational artist 

-grab a magazine and sketch some ideas on your journal ( I love happinez for inspiration)

-go to a book store - I love the craft, art, lifestyle and children sections 

-look around your house and see if you have a pattern some color palettes that helps you to start with something

-splash some paint or watercolor and cut them into shapes later after it dries and have fun with it

-go to a garden or into the woods and pic elements from the ground like leafs , flowers, sticks....paint, stamp, collage with it.

-hear what people say on the street and start a piece with that words

-what's your favorite song? Move your paintbrush with the sound of the music 🎶, and the words are they special for you? 

-feel the elements around you- how the wind makes you feel? Write, doodle

-paint the activities you love to do, observe yourself 

-make a list of what makes you happy ( rainbows, unicorns, stars, sweet girls, kittens 🐱)

-hummm and the aroma, what you love to smell? Coffee, a cake in the oven, fresh mint or lavender. Capture that feeling

-observe a light candle, feel the warmth inside, ask your angels to come and play with you and express your best self for the highest good

-do you have pets? Draw them in different positions or places

-grab a family photo and make a painting, if it's too intimidating just doodle it on your journal

-open the page 79 of one of your books 📚 and see if it's some inspiration waiting for you

-study the constellations and draw your favorite one

-paint with a friend, share your latest inspirations 

-watch your children playing, they say and do lots of fun things 

-see cartoons 

-do you like decoration and interior design, what's your style boho (loooove), minimalist, country, modern, zen, tribal, beach house...

-ancient knowledge there is some culture that catches your attention- Native American, Hindu 

-your favorite story when you're a child

-from the fantasy world what makes your eyes sparkle fairies, elves, dragons

-your child favorite game

-open a symbol dictionary and see if you find something inspirational that is the theme of your piece or just an element to include

-draw something upside down. Fun!

-listen a mantra (your soul will be really grateful)

-aum - om repeat the sound and see what happens ( for sure you will gain more energy flowing and this is truly important for the creative process)

-take a bubble bath 🛀 (I had lots of great ideas bathing )

-invoke the great spirit to paint with you

I hope you try some of this ideas and have a lot of fun.

Wishing that you feel inspired

Xo

Susana

See me painting - watercolor art video and interview

                  

Hello dear! I have wonderful news to share with you :) Today you can see me painting this "Deer girl", and know more about me, on my interview on Willowing´s blog. You can also entering on a giveaway and get a discount on my shop. Check it out!!!!

                  

On the art video you will see me painting on my favorite medium, watercolor. I will use liquid watercolor from Ecoline, that I absolutely love, the colors are so vibrant and beautiful, a delight to create with.

                   

May you feel inspired !

Remember that you are so welcome on LIFE BOOK 2017 really hope you join us!!!!

Much love and light
Susana Tavares

Art is ride - bird soul large collage

 

 

 

I have been emerged in art, exploring freedom, letting myself be, what I need to be in the present moment. Allowing myself to make things differently and listen what my inner being has to say. 

Sometimes I really get scared, and the doubts come to my mind, "what are you doing?", my mind asks me repeatedly. Trying to breakdown my free mood. I feel insecure, but I do not answer it and I keep doing with what my heart wants to do. One thing I know, I am expanding! :) 

All these ideas, thoughts and emotions need to be expressed, is stronger than me, I need to do my thing! Even I feel ups and downs simultaneously.

 

So this large collage was a ride. After this, I feel stronger and more confident and proud of myself for doing it, just for the pleasure, just for the love for art, just for the ride.

 

See more pics bellow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let me know your thought about it.

Thank you

Much love and light

Susana

 

 

 

 

 

The art path + Autumn owl altar

 

 

 

 

I have been remembering why I started to create. So many things have changed in this 12 years, that I felt the need to go back and ask me why?

The answer that popped into my mind was, creating for me brings me fun moments, makes me feel good. The place where I feel the real me, a way to express my inner world, in a way that words couldn't. To feed my needs of exploration and be with myself. Having fun and providing well being.

 

When I started to make a living of my creativity, all that I have, was lots of hope and dreams and the capacity of not giving up. I worked like I never did before, I felt passionate and also held down to prove people, that I could do it and my art was valid. 

This art path made me go beyond my limits and fears. But I did it! Now I can see how brave I have been all this time. 

Not just the art biz, but in understanding myself as a woman, a wife, a mom...

 

 

 

After all this years of ups and downs, laughing and crying. I know each step of the way was valid, in learning and gaining experience. I can see now, how much I have pushed myself ( toooooo much).

Now I know that is o.k to rest, to feel good, to not do, to feel what I need... and it took so long to have this clarity. Sometimes, I Still feel insecure, but now I can tell myself "It's ok dear, everything is working out for you"

 

 I love the spiritual me. Honoring source and planet Earth, on my art is something very valuable. My new spirit animal Autumn altars, are a combination of this journey, where I recognize myself in the elements. The why's of the beginning of my journey and the things I want to celebrate walking this path. 

The playfulness and fun. 

Autumn, my favorite time of the year.

Crystals ( I am so in love with them right now)  symbols of purity and the natural world. 

Art Pieces that are themselves tiny altars to celebrate our connection with the animals, season and planet we are in.

 

 

More pics and info here

 

 

 

And in this Autumn mood, saying goodbye with a pic of my finds in the woods today✨🍁🍂

 

Grateful for you

Much love and light 

Susana

Crystals, abstracts, geometric art

Hi! In this last months I have been very focused on creating and feeling my inner world, I really need to express it all out. Being the real me, the new me... I think I was me before, but now this me needs to come out and play and explore and do things in a different way. I believe this is totally o.k, is part of this path were we walk, to change, to suddenly see things differently and to be honest with our hearts. I believe your treasures are there in your heart, to come up when you are ready. 

Crystals, abstracts, geometrics and watercolor are part of this new path, soooo lots of originals are listed on my shop, ready to fly to new homes 😊

I am offering 25% off with the coupon code ARTBLISS 

If you are intrested go to my shop here and apply the coupon code on the checkout.

For the first 12 orders in my shop, I have 12 mini original watercolor Crystals to offerrrr :D
( original art orders only )

Thank you so much for your support 

Much love 

Susana Tavares 

Adventures on digital art

Adventures on digital art from Susana Tavares on Vimeo.

It's time for some digital art inspiration, enjoy and have fun!

This illustration is part of an oracle card deck that I am developing in partnership with my friend Carlos Poço. Can't wait to see this project coming alive and share it with you.

Much love and light

Susana

Adventures on digital art

Adventures on digital art - digital painting from Susana Tavares on Vimeo.

This is my digital adventure for this week, it's really been a pleasure to explore new ways of making art.

Because I have a lot of questions about what I use, here it is:
App - procreate
iPad Air
Bamboo pen

Enjoy!

New adventures on digital art

Art video - creative process, digital art. from Susana Tavares on Vimeo.

Hello to you dear one :)
I am being very inspired to create on my iPad and make digital art, since I am developing an oracle card deck, I am finding more easy for me to also create on this Procreate app, that really opens up lots of possibilities and I love to learn and expand my creativity on new ways.
So I have shared some on my Facebook and now I will start sharing here also on my blog.
I hope you like to see my new adventures on creating digital art.
Enjoy!

Xxx
Susana

My first dragon ✨

Until last week I never had any interest in Dragons, but a friend of mine shared a picture from Diana Cooper, saying something like " ask your child's dragon to protect it" and that sticks to my mind. In that day the dragons came to me several times.

And because I like to follow my intuition I discover from Diana Cooper ( wich I love her work with the Angels) , that Dragons are guardians of planet Earth and they bring wisdom, love and protection. 

Fantasy or not, after meditation, I receive the message to paint a child with a dragon in her head and there she is.

Please let me know what you think about it.

Love and light

Susana 

So much light around you! Creative process

I have been thinking about the creative process and how we can flow with ease through it (more about it on my latest post) and since I practice to first be aligned and feel good and then create, inspiration comes in the most unexpected ways.

Yesterday we decided to go out to lunch and see the carpet flower in the Grand Place here in Brussels. It was a beautiful sunny day, great music on the streets and the food delicious. Everyone was in a great mood, relaxed, expecting the best and when you expect the best, you always get the best, right! 

So I was happy and when I was in the subway to come back home, I was looking around, seeing different kinds of persons, doing different things and when I look at them, I'll start to make tiny stories about them. 

This was a pure creative moment. I was seeing the best part of every person around me,  like their light was touching my soul, so beautiful!!!

Here are some examples :)

So now it's your turn :)

Put yourself in a good mood, catch the subway or go for a garden were you can see people. 

Everyone has light and a beautiful soul, set an intention to see the light of the world. Ohhh God so good!!!!

Now look at one person at a time an see it with the eyes of an angel, just looking for the best. Look into their souls and let their light touch your heart. Let the light of the world be shown to you. Grab a piece of paper and a pen a see what happens.

If you like to share this experience with me, please send me a private message on Facebook or in the comment section below or even on Instagram at @susanatavaresart using the #surrenderincolor.

#surenderincolor is an # created by me to express my love for #art, color and creation. Creating is a way to bring #color and beauty to this world. Without expectation, with an open heart, embracing it in its beauty and be filled with delight. ✨Surrender, express, let go and be surprised.

Use it if you are inspired to do so.

So much love and light around you!

Xxx

Susana