From Tech to Artist: Reclaim Inspiration & How I Learned How To Make Art (Part 2)
In May 2021, while battling a sinus infection and aimlessly scrolling through Pinterest, I stumbled upon watercolor paintings that sparked a passion for art I never knew I had. Despite a childhood filled with creative interests, self-doubt and the myth of "natural talent" had always held me back.
In this blog series, I’ll dive into my journey as a self-taught artist, from overcoming imposter syndrome to balancing creativity with daily life. In this post, we'll discuss finding inspiration and how I've honed my skills as a self-taught artist.
Finding Inspiration: Where It All Began
For me, Inspiration is all about the emotions a scene evokes and how I can translate those feelings into my art. As a child, I was captivated by the beauty of nature, music, and the simple joys of everyday life. This appreciation for beauty and curiosity naturally extended to my creative writing, especially poetry.
As I began painting, my passion for beauty grew. I began to find more and more inspiration in the small moments—an energetic coffee shop, an early morning sky, or even the emotions revealed in someone’s eyes.
University of Youtube
As I painted more and more, I felt a strong urge to capture my subjects accurately, in order to convey the right feeling from the painting.
Which led me to deep dive into Youtube as a learning platform. From art teachers to art vloggers showcasing styles from abstract to classical realism, there is something for everyone.
From there, I absorbed everything I could about color theory, composition, and values. Experimenting with various materials and styles, starting with watercolors and graphite before branching out to charcoal, gouache, and water-soluble oils.
Some of my favorite art Youtubers include:
Paint Coach: Offers excellent education on oil painting.
Art School Live: Features live painting demos from professional artists across various mediums.
Cecile Yadro: A gouache artist with insightful tutorials and tips.
Laura Horn Art: Provides a variety of techniques and styles.
Eventually, I sought in-person art classes, which led me to the Dunedin Fine Art Center. I enrolled in an evening Classical Painting Techniques class with professional artist Shawn Dell Joyce.
This class was critical tipping point in my development as an artist, providing invaluable instruction, art history insights, and an artist community to connect with.
Since then, I've taken classes throughout the Tampa Bay area to keep growing my skills. However, I now choose my classes carefully to avoid information overload, as too much contradictory advice can be overwhelming.
To be continued...
I hope my journey from battling a sinus infection to discovering a hidden passion for art has inspired you. The path of a self-taught artist is filled with moments of self-doubt, unexpected moments of joy, and a continuous quest to learn.
Finding inspiration in everyday moments and diving deep into resources like YouTube has been key to my growth as a self-taught artist.
In my next post, I'll share more about how the 100 day Project was a pivotal moment in my art career and how I found confidence in my work to start my art business. Join me as I continue to explore the intersection of creativity and daily life, and provide actionable insights for aspiring artists.
If you want to follow along and get behind-the-scenes updates, join my VIP Studio Insider list below and get a discount code for your first purchase! For more daily BTS of my studio & art practice, follow along my IG @MeganFordeArt!
To read part one of this From Tech to Artist series, check out this blog post: From Tech To Artist: The Truth About My Self-taught Artist Journey (Part 1)
