Finding Art Inspiration During Quarantine

If you are anything like me, you may be struggling to find inspiration to create art during this worldwide pandemic. Being stuck in the same place for weeks on end can easily drain your motivation to do anything, let alone think creatively. Luckily, I have listed some tips below that I have used frequently during the past month or so to boost my mood and influence me to create. These tips are not only for visual artists, but for writers, musicians, photographers, and anyone else who is bored and needs inspiration to create.

Tip #1: Take a Walk, Look Around

I'm sure almost everyone is aware of this tip, as simply getting out of the house can have a huge impact on one's mood. Where I live, it seems as though 50% of my neighborhood is outside at any given time, so I'm sure many of you have tried this as well. Put on some headphones, turn on some relaxing music, and get your mind off of the anxiety of feeling as if you're not being productive. I find that taking a 30 minute walk around my neighborhood can be quite therapeutic and can easily clear a cluttered mind. Just remember to stay at least 6 feet away from others. I would also recommend that you take walks on your own, not only to respect social distancing, but also to have a more meditative experience.

If you find that you are more of the observant type, I suggest trying something like bird-watching or plant identification. If that kind of stuff interests you, I recommend downloading and trying out iNaturalist or eBird, both of which are places you can conduct citizen science just through the tap of a finger. Nature is a big inspiration for my art, as it provides unique forms, rich colors, interesting textures, etc. You can also bring a notebook out with you and jot down some of the things you see that you find aesthetically pleasing. This brings me to my second tip...

Tip #2: Take Pictures

This one goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip, as you can easily do both simultaneously. All you need is some form of camera (it really doesn't have to be that good of quality) and a subject to capture, which can really be anything. Look for insignificant things that you really haven't noticed before, but are unusual or unique when looked at through a different perspective. Maybe take pictures of something with unknown origins. For example, I enjoy taking pictures of peculiar abandoned and try to capture their mysterious aura. Subjects that invoke any type of curiosity are the best ones to inspire an artist.

When it comes to my favorite method of photography, I mostly enjoy using my Fujifilm Instax mini 7s instant camera. I'll be the first to admit that I am far from a professional photographer, but polaroid-style cameras are an entirely different experience of taking pictures when compared to standard digital ones. So if you happen to have an old instant camera that's still in working condition, I recommend you try that out.

Tip #3: Try New Mediums

I recommend that you think out of the box for this one. If you're already feeling uninspired, it's gonna be difficult to force yourself to try something new if it does not completely differ from your normal creative routine. Some examples of unconventional mediums might include rocks, glass, yarn, tin foil, recyclable materials (which I talk more about in the next tip), leather, old clothing or fabric, and almost anything else. Challenge yourself to try different methods of creating art, such as mosaic making, etching, weaving, sewing, etc. You can even try to replicate old art through these new methods of creating, which always leads to interesting results. Through this process, you may find that you can make art more easily in one medium as opposed to another, so don't be afraid to explore through your art.

Tip #4: Take Inspiration From Unlikely Sources

Look around you and find literally any object. Observe its color, texture, form, etc., and come up with a character design, architecture plan, or art piece based on the object's properties. My favorite way to go about this is by rummaging through my recycling and finding boxes or wrappings that are interesting to look at. I especially enjoy looking at brand labels and bits of old magazines, whatever you can get your hands on. You can cut up these pieces and make a collage or mosaic, or you can collect the pieces you like and categorize them in a binder or sketchbook. Ask yourself why you are compelled by this specific object, and challenge yourself to integrate that thing into your own work.

Tip #5: Utilize Pop Culture

With all this time off, I have found myself wasting hours of my time watching Netflix. There's no need to feel guilty, however, as you can use these movies and TV shows to help inspire you. For example, pick a favorite character from one of the shows you watch, and try your hand at drawing them, or maybe even sculpting them. There's no need to get it perfect, as any form of practice helps you become a better artist. If you're looking for an even tougher challenge, try drawing that character in your own style, if you have one. You could also design your own character based off a certain franchise, or imagine how you would look and act in a show's or movie's setting.

Tip #6: Look for Prompts

There is no shortage of art prompts out there on the internet. Simply look up "art prompt generator" and you will find a plethora of prompts to help inspire you. One of my favorites to try out is SPipes's Random Animal Generator on DeviantArt. This generator gives you two animals, and you are challenged to combine the two into one hybrid creature. You can even make your own "generator" by writing down things that interest you artistically on to strips of paper and picking them randomly out of a hat.

Tip #7: Support Others through Your Art

The amazing thing about art is that it can have an impact on anyone, regardless of language or circumstance. Art has an incredible power to uplift others, so it can come in handy, especially during uncertain times like these. All of us have to sacrifice in one way or another for the good of society, so why not use art to help yourself and others get through it. You can make encouraging posters and hang them up in your windows, or you could even make a chalk art mural on a sidewalk that anyone can see when they walk by. You could also write letters or make art pieces for friends, family, healthcare workers, those in senior care facilities, or anyone else who deserves to be uplifted, and mail them to said individuals.

Those are some of the things I recommend to help inspire your artistic side during quarantine. There is almost an infinite amount of things you can do to inspire yourself, you just need the right mindset and a creative outlook. Also know that you're not experiencing this alone, and that things will eventually get back to normal Thanks for reading, and I wish you all the creativity in the world!