My Inspirations Box

Are you ever stuck for something to paint? Or do you need inspiration to find a new style or way of painting? Then this may be the answer!
I call it my Inspiration Box, and it is full of paintings that I have cut out of art magazines. There are paintings here that I like, and others that don't particularly appeal at the moment (but may be just the thing in time to come). There are paintings that are very detailed, and others that are painted very loosely; there are oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics, pencil drawings and pen & wash. There are portraits, landscapes, still life and abstracts. Some are brightly coloured and others almost monochrome. I could go on, but I'm sure you've got the idea...

Now, when I get stuck for a subject, or just want to try a new way of painting, I go to my Inspirations Box and dig through it. I am assured of finding something that will get my creative juices flowing - either by directly copying a painting (you can learn so much by doing this!), sketching ideas from it to create my own new painting, or using the style of painting in a new composition of my own. Ans some days it is just enough to open the box and look at all the pictures over a long cup of coffee. To me it is like listening to soothing music. Aaaaah, it must be good for the soul!