While Summer May Be Coming To An End, Don’t Let Inspiration Pass You By.

It’s nearing the end of summer and the perfect time to either start or continue a regular art practice. Here are a couple of ideas you might want to try if you need some 'cool' inspiration.

1. Play with tools or paints you haven't picked up in a long time (or ever). Challenge yourself to try something new and unexpected.

2. It's the first of the month coming up (or 15th, 30th). Start a 30-day project that is quick and easy such as experimenting with a collage a day in a small size like 3x3, or 30 days of lettering, or a month-long contour face or food item challenge.

3. Begin a new art journal that focuses on a particular medium or topic. Challenge yourself to work on it every day. Don't feel like you must finish a full page every day, just add to it every day.

4. Organize an area a day in your studio. Maybe I'm writing this for me because right now I am overwhelmed with things everywhere in my studio, my filming studio, and okay yes, a lot in my kitchen office table too. We are doing a renovation and if I ever want to get to my studio expansion, organizing is going to have to be a priority. It may in fact even help me become more productive. Wink wink. Funny how that could possibly be true.

5. Take yourself out on an artist date once a week at least. Try a new gallery. Walk in the woods. See a classic movie. Window shop in an antique store. Take pictures of anything you find interesting. Sit and meditate by the water, mountains, stream, park, or heck, on your back porch.

What do you do to keep yourself inspired when the weather is too hot, too cold, or you are just feeling overwhelmed? I'd love to hear your ideas!