Artists are often asked where their ideas come from, as if inspiration arrives like a lightning bolt from the sky. But for me, creativity is less about waiting for inspiration to strike and more about learning to see. The truth is, the world is full of remarkable details hiding in plain sight. The way sunlight filters through a window, the shadow a tree casts on a sidewalk, or the subtle variations of color in a cloudy sky - all of these small moments can become the spark for a new painting.
Finding inspiration in the everyday begins with paying attention. It’s about slowing down enough to notice what most people overlook. When I walk through my neighborhood, I’m constantly drawn to the rhythm of shapes and colors: the geometry of rooftops, reflections in puddles, or the way old brick contrasts with a bright blue sky. These are fleeting scenes, but they linger in my mind. Later, in the studio, they become the foundation for composition, color, and emotion.
Seeing Beyond the Obvious
In a world that moves quickly, it’s easy to overlook the quiet beauty around us. But artists learn to look beyond the obvious. The smallest details can reveal surprising depth when viewed with patience and curiosity. A chipped wall might show layers of paint that hint at history and change. The movement of water can inspire rhythm and flow within a composition. Even something as simple as light glancing off metal can evoke an emotion or memory worth capturing.
This kind of seeing takes practice. It’s about developing visual awareness - the habit of observing textures, shadows, and transitions of light. It’s about letting your senses guide you rather than your expectations. Over time, it becomes second nature. The world becomes an endless gallery of inspiration, each moment a potential painting waiting to happen.
The Role of Emotion
Of course, inspiration isn’t only visual. It’s emotional. The everyday moments that stay with me usually carry a certain feeling: peace, melancholy, nostalgia, or wonder. That emotion is what drives me to paint. The goal isn’t to recreate the scene exactly as it appeared, but to capture the essence of what it felt like.
For example, I might see sunlight fading behind a building and feel a sense of quiet transition - the end of a day, the passage of time. That emotion becomes the focus. The colors, brushwork, and composition all serve to express that feeling. In this way, even an ordinary scene can become deeply personal and universal at once.
Inspiration in the Familiar
Many people believe you need to travel to exotic places to find inspiration, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. The familiar can be the richest source of ideas because it reveals its beauty slowly. When you observe something daily - your own street, a nearby park, or the view from your window - you begin to notice subtle changes in light, mood, and season.
Painting what’s familiar also connects art to real life. It reminds us that beauty isn’t reserved for distant landscapes or special occasions; it exists in our daily surroundings, waiting to be seen. This approach gives art a sense of honesty. It reflects the artist’s personal world and encourages viewers to notice their own environments more closely.
Maiden Flowers - Original Art by Paul Reeb
Turning Observation Into Art
Translating inspiration into a finished piece is its own creative journey. I often begin with quick sketches or photographs to capture a fleeting impression. Back in the studio, I refine those ideas, simplifying shapes and exploring color relationships until the emotional core of the image starts to emerge.
Sometimes, what begins as a study of light and form becomes something entirely new…a memory, a mood, or a dreamlike version of reality. That transformation is part of the magic of painting: the ability to take something ordinary and reveal its hidden poetry.
Living With a Sense of Wonder
Ultimately, finding inspiration in the everyday is about cultivating wonder. It’s about seeing the extraordinary within the ordinary and staying open to moments of beauty wherever they appear. When you approach the world with curiosity, you realize that inspiration isn’t something you have to chase - it’s always around you, waiting to be noticed.
As an artist, I’ve learned that creativity thrives not in rare moments of brilliance, but in the quiet discipline of observation. Every day offers countless opportunities to see the world anew. You just have to look closely, feel deeply, and let those impressions guide your brush.