Finding Abstract Inspirations

"Warm Sand"
Abstract Acrylic, 24" x 20" x 1.5 "
Available

One of the questions my abstract students frequently ask me is "Where do you find your design inspirations?". Truthfully, most of them come from my head. Once I have my color, composition and room inspiration I just start putting the paint on the canvas and see where it goes. But when a student tells me they aren't seeing or feeling the inspiration I tell them to look right in front of them

I think I can explain this best if I share the inspiration that I see in front of me right now. I am sitting at the Daily Grill at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles, trying to enjoy my four hour layover before my flight to Hawaii. (Unfortunately it just isn't enough time to head home as I would have to turn around again in minutes to fight our lovely LA traffic.) So I took a few photos of what is right in front of me. And this is without even getting up from my chair.

​Can you guess what they are?

The three on the top row, from left to right are my memo book, the lining (and zipper) inside my Kate Spade purse and my grilled chicken lunch. The bottom row, from left to right are my fork, the glass divider next to the table and the ice cubes in my water.

Do you see how these six photos could make great inspirations for abstract paintings? So open your eyes and look what is right in front of you! You can and will always be inspired.

I will be painting a few of these for sure! Stay tuned ...