Stay Creatively Motivated & Inspired: The Power of a Personal Art Reference Journal
Tired of Creative Block AND Feeling Overwhelmed by the News? Discover My Offline "Secret Weapon" for Endless Art Inspiration & a Peaceful Escape!
Do you ever sit down to create, whether it's painting, writing, or any form of art, only to find your mind completely blank? And lately, with everything happening in the news and the economy, are you also craving a healthy way to de-stress and find some peace? You're not alone!
In this video, I'm sharing the one creative practice that completely changed the game for my art, my overall creative motivation, AND has become a wonderful way for me to find a mindful escape from daily stresses! I'll walk you through how I broke free from the endless loop of online "inspiration" (especially on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, which often ate up all my creative time and left me feeling inadequate) and discovered a powerful offline method to consistently find art reference ideas and fuel my imagination, offering a much-needed recharge for my mental health and well-being.
This simple yet effective technique involves creating what I call my "inspo book" – think of it as a personalized art reference journal or a creative junk journal specifically designed to spark joy and new ideas without the pressure of perfection. It's like a tactile inspiration board that I can flip through anytime I need a creative boost and a gentle way to shift my focus away from worries.
In this video, you'll learn:
Why relying solely on online inspiration can actually *kill your creativity and motivation*, and how it can exacerbate feelings of overwhelm during stressful times.
My personal journey of ditching the digital scroll for a more intentional approach to finding how to get inspired for art (with the added benefit of more daily calm and focus)
What exactly my "inspo book" is and how it functions as a powerful art reference book and a source of mindful engagement.
How this method helps me stay creatively motivated and inspired consistently.
Why the focus is on *play and experimentation*, not perfection (perfect for beginners and for lowering stress!).
How it differs from a traditional mood board and why I find it so effective as a grounding practice.
The importance of using images for inspiration and not direct copying (plus a quick note on copyright for personal use).
How this practice is helping me develop my own art style for beginners by exploring different themes and combinations
Why this concept can work for ANY creative discipline – writing, music, photography, home decor, and more!
How my inspo book helps me organize my thoughts, try out different ideas (like watercolor and embroidery!), and capture inspiring words and phrases.
The incredible benefits I've experienced, including increased access to my creativity and a feeling of truly valuing my own inspiration, as well as a healthy way to manage stress.
How to make your own inspiration board or junk journal for art inspiration using things you've already saved online or even photos from books and your own art!
Get unique junk journal ideas and inspiration for artists to get you started on your creative escape.
If you're looking for a way to *unlock your creative flow*, say *goodbye to inspiration block*, and find a genuine connection to your artistic impulses *without the internet*, then this video is for you!
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Why the Internet is NOT Your Best Place for Inspiration
02:20 Creating a Junk Journal Art Inspiration Book
03:09 Letting Go of Perfectionism in Creating
04:18 Mood Board for Any Creative Project
05:32 Personal Use & Understanding Copyright
06:55 Finding Your Unique Style
09:14 Creative Experimentation & Play
10:31 Organize Your Thoughts & Inspiration
11:29 Carl Jung's Red Book as Inspiration
13:28 Best Times to Create Your Inspo Book
14:45 How & Where to Find Imagery & References
16:12 Embroidering the Book Covers
19:14 How to Get Started
➡️ Ready to hop off the screen, step away from the news, and start gathering your inspiration? Let's go create!
Sketchbooks I use to make these: https://a.co/d/a2nrkQa
