As you can see from some of my previous entries, I find  art exhibitions can be a great source of inspiration for your own creativity. With that in mind I thought I might pass on some top tips for anyone who is looking to be inspired by the exhibitions which they visit.

Exhibitions as a source of inspiration

Firstly, make sure that you look for a variety of styles and forms when deciding which exhibitions you wish to attend. Don’t simply look for artists who have a similar style to your own – often it can be more beneficial to your personal artistic development to take a look at work which is significantly different to that which you are used to seeing. Never discredit more traditional artists if you tend to work in a more modern style – often these works can be particularly useful in helping to expand upon your existing style. Personnally I could never have too much of the Pre-Raphalites.

Traditional? But, definitely inspiring!

Whilst art exhibitions can be great for exploring the works of a particular artist or era, don’t forget to pay good attention to the artistic beauty which is exhibited all around us on a daily basis. You might find that you are inspired by a beautiful landscape in your local park. On the other hand, you might gain new ideas while browsing the beautiful jewellery at somewhere like 77 Diamonds. The nature of the art which you are aiming to create is likely to effect the sources of your inspiration, but making sure that you are always open to new ideas can be a great way to encounter a fresh perspective during your daily routine.

Damien Hirst's jewel encrusted skull.

In order to be able to put your inspirations to good use, it can pay to be well prepared. If you visit an inspiration, then you might choose to buy postcards of one or two of your favourite pieces, like I did during my visit to Alice at the Tate Liverpool. It can also be helpful to make sure you always carry a notepad, or even a camera (hey! I finally got a new one as a present from our son), with you, so that you can record your ideas.

I've a new camera and a trusty old notebook.

Always nice to see what other artists are doing.  So, I put together this treasury of some of my Etsy favourites and called it Antique Gold.

Tree photography – … PhotographyDre… $11.00	Fine Art Photograph… sandycarterpho… $35.00	Serenity – artisan … sparrowsalvage $64.00
Deer face Badpanda22 $40.00	Soft Hand Made Leat… spirocreations $275.00	Tiny Wheat Tiles-Se… DevonWhitneyTi… $12.00
Original Landscape … starkeyart $325.00	Cute Vintage Bow Br… VainVintage $6.00	The Ceryneian Hind … lullafly $20.00
Xlrg Vintage Style … ParisCoutureAn… $300.00	Ancient words marykatem $25.00	Teeny Prince or Pri… GiggledPink $14.00
Snowy Christmas Hom… SylviaCPhotogr… $28.00	Golden Leaf Necklac… contrary $24.00	RUSTED Ornate Iron … DaysLight $22.00
A Sliver of Gold – … judeMcConkeyPh… $45.00