The ups and downs of finding inspiration.

I am sitting here wondering about what to write about when nothing much is going on. After I got home from Paris, ( I’m extending my Paris print run in the shop for 2 more weeks) I was on a roll, painting scenes from photos and memories every day. I was excited and inspired. After a few weeks, my interest in doing more dwindled, and I was left with no big plan. I’ve had a few client projects that have kept me busy and are fun to do, but my personal work is on hiatus. Instead of telling myself, fantastic, you have time to go out and play and explore! I instead go to the place of why? Why can’t I be inspired by everything I see? There is no limit to ideas. But I tend to work on a curve, from 100% inspired to almost no interest. I know that happens to most of us, so it’s worth talking about.

I think it’s always harder for me in the winter because I tend to stay in and hibernate, so I’m just not seeing as much out in the world. I’m not sure I can overcome that, and maybe it’s just ok! Realizing where my limitations are and just accepting them.

I watch some TV shows. We painted Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton in a Patreon live session last week. Painting crazy headdresses and gowns is a lot of fun. It seems like a worthy goal to find the fun and leave expectations and stress behind. I mean, the downtime is as important as the full-on working times. I’m not sure I could sustain a pace of feeling like I had to make “great” paintings every day. So I play.

But also, what about just making marks on paper or mushing colors together instead of creating a whole painting? That would be completely valid too, and could spark an idea that could be brought into a painting on another day.

For me, travel is the best way to get me inspired, even a short trip to a nearby neighborhood you’ve never seen, a museum, or a gorgeous park. But going to a completely different place for a longer period of time opens me up to seeing more closely. I’m wired and open to it. I’m so lucky that 2026 is a year of travel for me. I’m off to Banff on Friday. My family skis, not me; I’m in this one for the beautiful landscapes and spending time with my son and daughter-in-law, and her Mom. (Not the cold)

And then I go to Rome!! It came up unexpectedly, a friend has an apartment she won’t be using, so my husband and I will! Another 3-week trip. I know I will fill a drawing sketchbook and paint like mad when I get home. I’m doing this while I still can. For all the reasons.

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Thanks for reading. Let me know your thoughts,

xxJennifer