Inspire me, dammit!

There comes a point in every artists life -heck, in everyones life-when you feel less than inspired.  Inspiration is a funny thing.  It drives some of us to improve the appearance of our surroundings.  Or it helps us think outside of the box for great ideas and solutions to problems.  We all depend on it one way or another.  It makes you feel happy and gives you direction. 

I suppose inspiration impacts artists and designers a bit more since our very livelihood depends on it.  I tend to worry about not being inspired (but then again, I tend to worry about everything).

I wanted to share with you my top 10 things that continually inspire me in my life right now.  I'm sure this list will grow and evolve as time goes by, but right now, this is what I depend on to get my paintings done.

1. Art
Well DUH, of course art inspires me!  Even as a kid, I loved going to museums!  My favorite famous artists are Edvard Munch and Otto Dix. 



Madonna by Edvard Munch
(I have this print hanging in my bedroom!)





Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden 1926 by Otto Dix



Now my new thing is going to local art galleries.  It's a dream of mine to have my work shown in one some day.  My favorite local art galleries are james gallery located in West End and Concept Art Gallery located in Regent Square.

2. Nature

Yes, as tree-huggerish as it sounds, nature definitely inspires me.  I love finding a secluded trail where I can let my dogs off their leashes and get lost in thought. 


Steve with brother Jim (and Boo and Pilot!) in WV

I need to find a trail around my new neighborhood.  I've been slacking on that!
3. Family & Friends
Awww, how sweet, right!?  But seriously, I'm constantly inspired by my family and friends. 


My mom and I (and Pilot and Bebo!) in Outerbanks, NC 2009



Steve's family and dogs near Penn State over Christmas 2010

Steve's enthusiasm to make our home beautiful is so inspiring to me.  When my mom and I start getting into our deep, creative talks and bouncing ideas off of each other-that is really inspiring to me.  When Sue, Steve's mom, tells me she is driving to Ohio to adopt a baby horse-that is inspiring to me!

4. Movies

A really good, weird movie inspires me.  I tend to get inspired by movies that people either love or hate.  I like to see characters pushed to their limits, and of course the movie needs to be visually stimulating.  I love Black Swan, Vanilla Sky, and Two Lovers.

5.  Toys

I'm really a 10 year old kid trapped in a very tall, 30 year old body.  Seriously, anyone who knows me will tell you that.  How can anyone argue with the fact that toys are awesome!?  My favorite toys that I would like to buy for myself right now are Melissa and Doug toys.  They bring back such great childhood memories. 



Remember these puzzles!?  I love the smell of them!  haha



Come on!  The coolness of this is beyond me!  I want a pizza party!



Classic and classy



I remember playing with this thing all the time!



If I would have had this growing up, I quite possibly would be a truck driver right now.



It's me in puppet form!



Okay, I need to stop.  I could do this for hours.

6. Music

I think music is a big inspirational factor for practically everyone on this planet.  I like a wide variety of music, from Lady Gaga to The Boxer Rebellion.  I listen to my favorite playlist when I paint in my art studio!

7. Fashion

I may not be a fashionista, but I can appreciate those fancy clothes!  I tend to go for clothing that is both warm and comfortable at the moment.  Right now I'm wearing a gray hoodie and jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch.  I love that I don't have to get up and get dressed in business clothes anymore!  On top of loving clothes that I would not feel 100% comfortable wearing, I love a good model to show them off.  Gisele Bundchen is my favorite model.  I've sketched her a bunch of different times.  She inspires some great artwork from me!



Work it!



8. Restaurants

A great food joint is nothing short of inspiring.  Yummy food, nice atmosphere, and friendly staff will keep you coming back for more.  Here are some of my local favorites:





East End Food Coop
Located on the East End of Pittsburgh-the salad bar is phenomenal



Dairy Queen
Small chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles, please!



D's SixPax & Dogz
Best meatball hoagie EVER



Maharaja
Delicious!



9. New York City
After visiting New York for my very first time last May, I was hooked.  I LOVED IT!  The stores, the buildings, the restaurants, the people!  It was so exciting! 



I keep telling Steve I need to go back there because I didn't get to take all of the pictures I wanted to when I was there (stupid me, I didn't bring my own camera).  I am so going back!

10. Interior Design
Lately, this has been the biggest thing to inspire me.  Probably because I just moved into my farmhouse and I feel the need to decorate everything!  I feed my interior decoration addiction with Ikea's catalogue, Elle Decor magazines, and Lauren Liess's blog.

Well, there you have it.  My top 10 inspirational things.  I hope you can find some inspiration in them, too!

Peacing out,
Nikki