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How do you find inspiration to create art? I became a painter after studying and becoming a scientist. The world of science is very different from art, but both require creativity. From reading about other artists, I found out that some people get ‘artist’s block’. How can you avoid that?  I think it is with diversity.

Without the benefit of an art professor guiding my art journey, I painted whatever inspired me. Trees on our land, ducklings floating on the river that abuts it, cattle of farmers [that pay our bills], animals that I see on our trips  and food that I love to cook are all inspirational. Using pastel, oil, acrylic or watercolor in various styles make the possibilities endless.

I personally think that limiting yourself to one genre, style or medium creates the ‘artist block’. Currently, I am working on a small 12” x 9” pastel painting and a 3’x 2’ oil painting of the same subject. When enlarged, a painting has a whole new set of problems to solve. Using different mediums also creates challenges. Diverse surfaces generate obstacles. Are you backing away from problems? Get out of your comfort zone, for without doing so you will not have growth. What you learn from one situation will lead to understanding in another.

We own 108 acres that we call, 'The Land", which is inspirational to me, for both landscape and wildlife. I take pictures of the food creations that I make. Looking for ‘something different’ in the wildlife photos on trips that I take keeps me motivated. Seeing the play of colors on the landscape inspires me. Interesting poses of cattle or calves make me want to ‘create art’ not just copy.

Fear of failure can keep an artist in their ‘comfort zone’ and obliterates any growth. If you are not failing, you are in your comfort zone. Get out of it!

My mom used to make dishes by exactly following recipes. There is nothing wrong with that; she made wonderful food. If something she tried did not turn out, I remember telling her when I was quite young, “If it is not being photographed for Better Homes and Gardens, what does it matter?”.  When I stated cooking, she couldn’t understand how I could venture out into the unknown by changing ingredients. I guess that I can say that I am not afraid of mistakes.

By trying new things, one can experience a great deal of discomfort. Embrace it! It is only by pushing yourself beyond your own self-imposed boundaries that you can find growth.