One question that I am asked frequently is: "How do you get your ideas?"
Well, I am always thinking about ideas for the next painting. So, ideas and inspiration can come from everywhere.
1. Since my work is religious in nature, my own spiritual life and study provides many ideas for me. I want to encourage my viewers with something positive or a new look at a familiar story or idea. Imagery from scripture lingers in my subconscious and I can draw from it.
2. Faces play a large part in my work, and I love people watching. I use people I know when I can, but it's even harder for me to part with a work done straight from someone I know. Much of the time, the faces are inspired by friends and family.
3. I love things that are quirky and unexpected. I like including seemingly random images to challenge my viewer to stop and wonder why in the world a praying mantis is perched on a young woman's head, for instance. I know this may perplex many people unfamiliar with contemporary ideas about art, but I am not being malicious, just whimsical!
4. Symbols fascinate me. I love reading stories and essays with metaphors and allegories. When I understand that there are multiple meanings for phrasing, characters, or images, I feel triumphant like I have solved a puzzle or see through a veil that not everyone can see through. It's that sense that I hope to give my viewers.
5. I piggy back ideas from previously finished works. When I finish a piece, I sometimes get the sense that there is more to say about the ideas I was exploring, or I see another way to express that same idea. On the other hand, some pieces are complete and I have no desire to explore anymore.
Please let me know any thoughts you may have on this subject and please tell a friend about my work!
http://www.artbysaradb.com
Thoughts about the art world, Sara's own work and being an artist.
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