Finding Inspiration

Written by Manuel A. Carmona

   Sometimes as artists we have a difficult time finding inspiration when it comes down to create. I know people immediately go to poetic answers when we talk about inspiration, but the reality is that in many cases; inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. For me, inspiration strikes anywhere and anytime; and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I could be driving around town and suddenly an old house gives me an idea for a horror story, or maybe a cool looking race car gives me the inspiration for a race story; so on and so forth. But, when it comes to sitting down at the drawing board and coming up with ideas, inspiration is elusive sometimes; that's why you have to be proactive when it comes to creating.

   What do I mean by being proactive when it comes to creating? Simple, when inspiration hits; seize the moment. Don't wait until later in the day, don't let the muse escape you; stop what you're doing and create. You might be thinking "But sometimes we can't create at that specific moment in which inspiration hits, what then?" Well, here's what I do... I used to always carry with me some sort of notepad in case inspiration arrived; now I use the Notepad App on my phone. If an idea pops in my head, I simply pull out my phone and write a quick note; that way when I actually sit down to create I have a good starting point. That's me being proactive.

   Now, the poetic answer about the things that inspire me is simple; my family. My kids have literally changed the way I view my art now, I don't create just for me; I create so that they can enjoy it as well. I've turned down projects because the themes are inappropriate for young audiences, cause as much as I appreciate fans loving my work; I appreciate my kids enjoying what I create even more. Other than my family, music inspires me. 
   
​   Music is a powerful ally for creatives, it can motivate you, calm you down and some music can inspire you to create entire universes; for me music is as important as pencils and ink when it comes to creating art. Sometimes I need to illustrate a melancholic scene so I listen to Sarah McLaclhan, maybe I'm drawing a heartbreaking scene between two lovers so I listen to John Mayer, maybe I'm working on a fight scene so I listen to Eminem; it depends on what I'm working on at the moment but music never fails to inspire me. So there you go, my two main sources of inspiration are my family and music. Where Do YOU Find Inspiration When Creating Art? 

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