Hello Devlings!Today I'm featuring some of the work on dA that really inspires me. Each piece really makes me want to go *do* something with my own artwork and gives me something to aspire to. Of course, inspiration and aspiration can be a double edge sword because sometimes I end up battling my inner critic when I look at all the wonderful work and I despair that I'll ever be "that good" or "good enough".
I used to let those thoughts get to me and keep me from my art, especially because I struggled with thinking that art wasn't really something I could do by way of a career. I thought I had to find some sort of "real job", so I floundered around trying to find something else I could stand and never really being able to whole heartedly enjoy it. I kept believing my dreams and desires weren't important or good enough, but much too slowly I've realized they are important and I can be who I want to and make art. Now I am doing my best not to let those doubtful voices get to me and to look at inspiration as a way to spur me forward.
Okay,
Into Light is really traditional art, but it is tied for my all time favorite piece of her's with
Forest Secret, so I couldn't just leave it out.
I don't think I could pick just one favorite artist on dA, but if I had to narrow it down to 3-5,
Saimain would be at the top of the list. Her artwork never ceases to amaze me and her characters are wonderful. These two particular pieces are great inspiration to me, not only in the general area of drawing portraits, but also for my desire to paint the portraits of my own stories' characters. I revel in the fantasy portrayed in her work and it gives me motivation to continue working with my own worlds and characters.
Wool sculpture is probably my most favorite medium to work with and dragons are one of my favorite critters to felt. I had a whole series of felted dragons planned, but when I was almost done with my third, the neck became over felted and my dragon got beheaded. I was devastated and it took me a long time to return to felting and I have yet to restart my dragon series.
tallydragon's little green dragon gave me back the desire to start working on my own dragons again. Not to mention that it's just plain adorable!
I love the emotions expressed in this piece, the style, the colors, everything. It's also another piece that gives me the inspiration to get back to something. I've been journaling practically everyday for around a decade now and last year I discovered art journaling. However, this past Nov-Jan the monster of depression took over and for the first time in years.... I stopped journaling. Now, I've started again, but have not started the art journaling aspect of it again. Finding this piece re-awoke my interest and motivation to art journaling again.
This piece was one of the first things that made my "top favorites" on dA. I was instantly in love with it and almost cried when I found out it had already been sold. I don't think I've ever wanted to purchase a piece of art quite as much as I did this one before. I love the style and the medium (encaustic!) and the scene itself. It's one of the types of things I've always wanted to portray in my work, but since I grew up with nudity being rather taboo, I found myself afraid of what my family and friends would think were I to include any in my work. Some unhelpful comments when I dared try also did me no good. Every time I look at this piece I find myself getting some of the courage I need to say "who cares what they think" and start making the type of art that I want to.
This image so perfectly displays the sense of whimsy I want to bring into my photography and other artwork. I graduated photography school and have been very focused on taking nice pictures. I had a bit of a style, but I also struggled for years with thinking I had to become a portrait or studio photographer even though I really didn't want to. Now, I am finally done with warring against myself and am pursuing my artistic dreams, so I am focusing on discovering my style and what I want to portray. Whimsy is high up on the list.
I would love to hear about what or see any pieces that inspire you and encourage you, so if there's a special piece or artist you'd like to share let me know in the comments!
Well, I hope you love these talented artists' works as much as I do and I hope you will feel inspired and encouraged to pursue your own artistic dreams!
Farewell!
- Jules
