The Best Inspiration for Art

I have often written about using your own art for inspiration and combining many ideas into one piece. But this time I want to show that more in detail. With the video below, I invite you to my studio to browse art journals and sketchbooks and see how you can practice, create, and also play.
The Best Inspiration for Art – Watch the Video!
Come to Draw with Us!

Come to draw and decorate animals with us at Animal Inkdom! You will get the published lessons immediately after the registration, and you can start drawing right away. Sign up for Animal Inkdom!
Believe!

This week’s artwork, called “Believe” is also for sale in my art store.
Snow Bird – Drawing and Painting the Cold Weather

It’s cold and snowy in Finland, and I just had to get it out on paper. Watch the video blog post!
The Joy of Drawing – Register for the Free Webinar!

On Jan 17, 7 PM GMT/ 11 AM PST, I will be talking about the supplies and techniques that have made me get back to the joy of drawing during the years! Join us! Reserve your spot here!
Guiding Word – Choosing and Visualizing Your Word of the Year

The year 2018 was groundbreaking to me. I was able to include things that seemed separate from my art in my art and build a new foundation for it. It strengthened my visual voice and style, but also, it felt more holistic than just that. I would say that my artistic identity got updated.
As a former software engineer, I see it this way:
Peony and Parakeet 1.0 – intuitive circles and colorful patterns, 2012-2014
Peony and Parakeet 2.0 – from mixed media to fine art, 2015-2017
Peony and Parakeet 3.0 – fantasy illustrations, 2018 -?

I am not quite sure how to label 3.0 yet, but it definitely started last year and went into bloom during the Inktober challenge in October.
What’s Your Word of the Year?
About a year ago, I developed a process for setting artistic goals. I introduced it to my art community Bloom and
My word for 2018 was “Depth”, and now when I look back, it was related to my old desire to create fine art. But the process of exploring depth was like the symbol of yin and yan. It started a journey towards the opposite word “Play.”
The process of choosing a word and exploring it through art-making had a huge impact on me, so I decided to share it openly. Watch the video to define your word and to explore it more in depth!
Guiding Word – Watch the Video!
My word for 2019 is “Play”. I am looking forward to
P.S. As you probably noticed already, this website and my artist website has been updated! There are still things to adjust and add, but feel free to browse the new look!
P.P.S. I am running a free live webinar The Joy of Drawing on Jan 17, 7 PM GMT – 11 AM PST, reserve your spot here!
The event is gone but here’s the recording!
Drawing Jewels and Flowers – Free 2-Part Mini-Course

I have been working with a 2-part tutorial about drawing jewels and flowers. Part 1 was published last week, and Part 2 is now available too! I will guide you to create a gorgeous jeweled bouquet with just pen and paper. You can color it with colored pencils, felt-tipped pens, or watercolors.

Get the free mini-course! – Subscribe to my weekly emails and draw with me!