How I Stay Motivated and Inspired as an Artist

• Since retiring from the school where I worked for 18 years, I have been involved in an art mentoring course from the US, which is Christian-based, I can go at my own pace and it has so much inspiration, plus I have met and spoken to people from the US and indeed in my own country on Skype.  Also there is an artist's forum so you connect with many people, even some from the UK, in another part of the country.  Matt Tommey's Mentoring Group has been a real journey from struggling artist and retiree to really learning about preparing my mind and heart, my art, my brand - as an artist, marketing and my life.  It has enriched my life so much and Matt is a great speaker and mentor.  See the ThrivingChristianArtists for details.
• As a Christian I am inspired by the Bible psalms and stories, which are usually very visual and inspiring.  Plus I get ideas from books and on the internet.  There are various artist's blogs and stories you can read.  Plus any kind of illustration I could do from the web.
• I go out in the open air and there are images around you just waiting to be drawn and painted.  I have previously been part of en plein air at Windsor (pre-COVID) and also Pintar Rapido competition in London.  Today I actually painted out in my garden but it is great to paint in the great outdoors in parks and around Windsor or anything inspiring.
• Pinterest is a great tool to find lots of inspiring stories, pictures and Pins.  See PInterest for details. 
• On Facebook there are various art groups which I got involved with - ~theemergingartists, #inktober and thrivingchristianartists (as above). 
• On Zoom I have been attending a virtual art class on Friday afternoons in the Slough area and am a member of Slough Art Society (before lockdown).  Unfortunately we are not currently meeting as a group but get inspired by each other (from home). 
• General exercise daily - I go for a run a few times a week, attend Zumba on Zoom 3-4 times a week plus other youtube zumba videos.  Walking is great and you see some great things on the way.