What Inspires Me
Art

My art students often ask me, "Where do you get your inspiration?" I usually respond with a list of various sources—my surroundings, walks on the beach, my garden, travel, and more—essentially, everything I encounter each day.

For instance, when I take my dog for a walk and notice the peeling paint on a neighbour’s fence, which shows years of wear and different layers of colour, that inspires me. I think, “Oh, that would make a great painting.”

One day, I observed a bush in my backyard casting a long shadow at four o’clock. This made me consider creating an entire series of paintings titled "4 O’clock Shadows." My camera is always ready to capture such moments, and my mind begins to race with ideas.

Every spring, I take countless photos of tulips, thinking I might have missed them the previous 17 years. Their colours and shapes never cease to inspire me.

As an artist, I perceive scenes differently than others. I contemplate how I would paint them, stopping to study the varying shades and shapes. I try to memorize what I see and store that information away for later use.

I believe photographers must always remain alert for that perfect shot while musicians listen to sounds and sights that may spark their next composition.

When I read a book, I often pause to jot down notes or take photographs of meaningful passages, knowing they may inspire me in the future.

My mind is constantly cataloging these experiences because you never know which moments will inspire me later.

Next time I am asked, “What inspires me?” I will simply say life.