Finding Inspiration in a New Environment

This weekend, I went on a trip to Montreal, Quebec. Being in a new place, so different from where I live in Ontario, got me thinking- what kind of creative inspiration can I get from this new environment? I’ll be sharing my thoughts on this topic with you!

When you’re travelling, be on the lookout for new and exciting imagery. Anything different from what you usually see can be useful later on for artwork. For example, Montreal has a lot of older buildings, unlike where I live. These varied architectural styles would be great in reference images. Buildings like these are easy to draw with a pen, in a sketchy line-art style. I’ll definitely be sketching some of these images and sharing them on my Instagram.

Keep an eye out for others’ art as well! On my trip, I saw a ton of street art. Downtown Montreal has a lot of cool paintings on buildings and walls. Street art is a super interesting medium. Artists are visually expressing themselves in public places, and this can be so fun to see! There aren’t the usual restrictions on size and subject matter, so artists’ wildest ideas and brightest colours are coming out.

I noticed a big mural on the wall near a basketball court. This blocky, colourful, pop-art style is definitely unique. This isn’t something you would see in a lot of places, and it’s definitely something that can inspire my art.

As well, I saw this mural hidden amongst some buildings. The colour scheme is a combination of light blue and dark greens, with a pop of pink. Colour schemes like this can be incorporated into other pieces while keeping them original.

I saw another great colour scheme in front of this small shop. The light pink sign and matching decorative bike caught my eye immediately. Combined with the pastel streamers and leafy plants, this is one of my favourite pictures I took on the trip. Pictures like these can be stored away and used for paintings or just for sketching.

While walking down the street downtown, I noticed an art gallery curated by artist Peter Hart, and I just had to go in. The art was unlike anything I’ve seen before. Large canvases filled with glittery, brightly coloured images of flowers and landscapes decorated the walls. Art like this is completely different from my usual style. Seeing new and different artwork from upcoming artists can really benefit your practice. Even if there’s no direct influence, taking in all sorts of visual imagery will make you a better artist and storyteller. Of course, travelling is a perfect time for this.

You might be thinking, "What if there’s no artwork for me to look at, whether that be street art or galleries?" Well, even if you’re in a new place with no street art or interesting architecture, you can still find inspiration anywhere! For example, I found this Ferris wheel on a boardwalk and took this picture. It captures both the wheel and its reflection in the water below. This is a good picture to paint or sketch. When you take photos like these while traveling, you’ll have an endless supply of images to use in your art.

My biggest tip is to be on the lookout for interesting shapes, colours, and structures. Carry your phone with you and take lots of pictures! When you get home and sit down to make art, go through them and try to incorporate them into your work.

Feel free to use any of these images to make an artwork of your own! Make sure to tag me at @shreyyya_b on Instagram! Make sure to leave a comment below and tell me which of these tips you'll be using in the future.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this article. Remember, I release new ones every week. Before you go, don't forget to check out my shop!