There’s this really fun blogging, what do we call this? "event" mashup going on that I believe may have been born out of tweeting? All I know is that I was on twitter when I saw Victoria begin to put this blog it forward together and speaking of inspired ~ I wanted to play! I said "I’m in"! Yesterday Hiriji {I didn’t realize our art was side by side in the Love book, we participated in last year ~ that’s a lovely coincidence} from the beautiful blog heartfish, kicked off our group and now today, I’m up ~  it’s my day to share with you "What inspires me".

As any artist knows this is a question you get asked often. In all the interviews I’ve done where I’ve had this question to answer "What inspires you?" my answer is almost always some form of  ~ what is around me every day. 

Inspiration is one of those "things" and by "things" I mean it’s conceptual. You can’t pin it down. You don’t know when and where it will strike but if you stay open, you’ll begin to see it everywhere. 

Since I work from home, and am well let’s just say~{aside from the recent onslaught of cultural adventures I’ve been sharing on twitter} I’m  home a lot ~and that’s where inspiration finds me. I will say that living in such a dynamic city such as Los Angeles with a wonderful creative circle of friends in driving distance {depending upon traffic ;)} also provides endless sources of inspiration should my immediate environment ever be tapped out. 

In all my blogging over the last few years, I don’t think I’ve ever written a post dedicated entirely to what inspires me. So here goes ~ a pictorial, a slice of my life and what’s inspiring me today, brought to you courtesy of you guessed it, something else that inspires me daily right now ~CameraBag on the Iphone.

1. my "Inspiration" file box

2. my sunburst yellow J.Crew cords accompanied brightly colored knee socks

3. the color yellow and my chest of drawers

4. black and white fabric on my newly re-upholstered vintage chair that I’m sitting in right now :)

5. I’m a sucker for fresh flowers

6. and gorgeous L.A. skies, especially at dusk

7. Sean and our morning chats over coffee 

8. the amazing, thoughtful {& I mean above and beyond thoughtful} creative people in my life, near and far like  like Maya

9. like Swirly, and her collection of chickens that I covet every time I visit her

10. like Lisa

11. cats who nap & cat naps

12. art supplies just waiting to be used

13. our garden

14. Anything Anthropologie and anything LOVE

15. Inspiring books especially about people who’ve broken through and realized their dreams

16. Art and creations, my own and those I collect from more wonderful friends like Heather, Outi and Amber

17. I’m also a sucker for all things "twinkly lights"

18. and well, if you follow this blog, then you already know how I feel about my Iphone

Tomorrow Sarah at Cursive Design will be taking it from here~ who I wish I could make a grand introduction too but I’ve only just "met" her  through this mashup ~ one of the best parts of "blog it forward" ~ the chance to meet new and inspiring bloggers!!!

sending some inspiration your way on this Creative Thursday!