Inspiration begins before you start creating art. Art is everywhere, so be prepared to capture your inspiration and experiences. Integrate these tools into your daily routine.
I carry a notebook with me wherever I go. I can write down anything noteworthy that I observe in my hunt for things to translate into my artwork. My favorite notebook is a Midori Traveler’s Notebook. It’s small in size and has a sturdy leather cover with an elastic band in the center that holds inserted premade notebooks. I use it not only as a notebook but also as a travel journal. One of the Midori Traveler’s Notebook inserts is a clear zippered pocket into which I stuff paper ephemera I have collected.
I carry a small bag with me that contains a sketchbook and other basic supplies I use to make visual records of whatever inspires me. I will talk about the art-on-the-go kit and its content in detail in chapter 4.
My smartphone is a constant help and rarely do I use it for its original intended purpose of making and receiving phone calls. I use the camera daily to photograph my artwork-in-progress and anything that inspires me. I download my phone photos onto my computer at home and sort them in folders divided by source of inspiration: street art, city, nature, patterns, etc. In addition to still shots, I also use my phone to record videos so I can remember sounds and movements that inspire me.
There are certain apps on my phone that I use constantly, too: