Where does inspiration come from?
If the answer were simple, none of us would struggle with creative blocks. I’m no stranger to the moments when everything feels stagnant and nothing new wants to emerge. And then—out of absolutely nowhere—something sparks.
That’s exactly what happened this year in Wyoming while teaching at Eaton’s Ranch, where I’ve led workshops every September. One of the participants’ husbands began taking product shots of whiskey and gin from his distillery, Mammoth Distilling. Watching him, I felt a little tug inside—just enough curiosity to pull out my portrait lens, an 85mm prime I rarely use because it’s terrible for fast-moving horses. But I packed it anyway “just in case,” and this turned out to be that moment.
So I joined in. Suddenly we were running around the ranch, placing bottles on fence posts, capturing closeups in the natural landscape, photographing them with cowboys, shot glasses, and old-world textures. One evening we held a whiskey tasting on the long deck overlooking Chocolate Drop, and the light was perfect—golden, warm, irresistible.
The whole experience was wildly fun and creatively freeing. My mind started racing with ideas, compositions, and possibilities. That tiny spark turned into a full blaze when I returned to the studio and used one of the bottle images to create a 24×24 photo encaustic painting. Something I never expected to make—and yet it felt completely right.
Maybe this is a new direction for me. Maybe not. But what mattered most was this: the creative slump I had been wrestling with finally cracked open. All because I swapped a lens, followed a whim, and allowed myself to play.
I often search so hard for inspiration, only to realize inspiration doesn’t always respond to effort. Sometimes it shows up when we stop forcing it and stay open to whatever lands in front of us—even if it’s a whiskey bottle on a ranch in Wyoming.
If you’re curious, here are a few of the raw images from that spontaneous shoot around the ranch.
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I’m curious to know, where have you been surprised to find inspiration? Let me know in the comments.
Be well….be creative,
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I agree. Sometimes when you get out of your comfort zone, it kicks the brain into overdrive and some good ideas and inspirations manifest themselves. Thanks for the blog. I was just in the Pryor Mountains to make images of the wild mustangs and was thinking how good some of them would look in encaustic. On my radar!
Thanks for your comment Winnie. I’ve not been to the Pryor Mountains, yet. One day I hope to get out there. I understand it’s a beautiful experience. Here’s to amazing wild mustangs!
For now, and for a while yet, art and photography have to compete with my demanding work as a professional. Art and photography provide a counterpoint that helps to keep me healthy and happy. I keep at least one camera (iPhone) with me at all times and have long-term “documentary” photography projects that take me out on a fairly regular basis. Planning how to actualize my ideas for both more traditional encaustic art and my photographs keeps my creative thinking active. Also helps relax when I can’t sleep! I have discovered that when I finally get real studio time, I can suddenly feel that I lack inspiration. Having projects ready to take to the next step helps me get started. When I get going, ideas start to flow again.
I think you are right Nancy. It’s in getting going that the ideas will flow. I find that sometimes, just painting and preparing the boards can be a catalyst to things flowing. I’m happy to hear that you’ve set up a new studio and are thinking about what comes when you retire from you ‘day’ job:)
Because I am a process nut I often get re-inspired by a different lens or shot-taking strategy as you did Clare. I really have fun playing around with shooting apps on my phone nowadays. There are new subjects everywhere. I’ve learned a lot about editing apps too that can take a hum drum image in many directions. I even take pictures of TV shows to play with. I spend about half my time with digital capture and editing and the other half with wax. Every piece is unique.
Still, there is nothing like going for a hike in the woods to get me humming inside.
Love this Carol. And yes, nature is a wonderful resource for inspiration:)
I’ve been in a new studio space for about 6 weeks. In my previous space, I had one area with beautiful natural north light, plus another room where I used strobes. Typically when doing a modern women’s portrait session, I would use both rooms. Never did I try an entire session by natural light. In my new space, when I rented it, i bemoaned the beautiful natural light I would be missing. The shooting space here has a bank of windows facing another building, but wasn’t as exciting as the 2 walls of floor to ceiling windows I used to have. The other day I did a session, and brought in all my strobes and modifiers. Started with trying to utilize the window light with a few headshots against a v flat. Wound up doing the whole session by natural light! The possibilities that opened up got me really excited and motivated!
Isn’t it fun when you at first think something won’t work or isn’t good…..and then it surprises you. It’s the Best! Congrats on finding new possibilities:)