My "Aha" Moment for Finding Fresh Art Print Ideas

I’ve been very immersed in the world of interior design lately, most recently taking Kelly Wearstler’s Masterclass. I’ve always had a passion for interior design since I was a young kid. I still remember one of the best days of my life was picking out a new comforter for my bed when I was 10 years old. Interior design will forever be a passion of mine, but it’s always been something I’ve considered to be a side hobby - reserved solely for my home and the homes of close friends and family members who enlist my help :)

My entire life, I’ve thought of art and interior design as two separate interests I have. In the last few years, I’ve seen them converge. The way I style my art is styled for a specific interior look and feel. Creating art prints truly is a form of interior design, and I think that’s why I love it so much. I’ve come to find that’s where the magic happens in our careers - when we take several seemingly unrelated passions and merge them together to create the perfect profession that no one else can do quite like we can.

In the past, I’ve always started with a blank piece of paper, and thought, “How can I fill this space in an interesting way? What colors should I use?” Then, I would Google inspirational images and make a sketch. Once I paint a piece, I love to imagine what type of room it would live in.

Yesterday, I was completely out of ideas. I was staring at a blank piece of paper once again, and I had that feeling that I’d done it all. I’m always trying to create fresh art that I Iove, but that other people will love too. It’s a tough balance to strike because art is so personal. I try to put out a new art print every week, so it’s not uncommon for me to hit a wall on a regular basis.

I suddenly had a groundbreaking thought -

What if I find a photo of an interior space I really love, and design an art print to hang in that space?

A lightbulb suddenly went off. I’m not sure about you all, but I’ve never thought of making art in this way. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this sooner. It’s a bit backwards, but I can see this being the key to having endless art print ideas. Not only that, but this method ensures I’m creating art that’s aligned with my style, but that other people can use too.

In general, I realized I need to be thinking of my art prints in a bigger way. I need to be designing for the end result, rather than thinking of the spaces as an afterthought.

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Below was my first attempt at this exercise using the restaurant “Sketch” in London as my inspiration. I’m so surprised at what came out of this. I created an illustration that was really unique and different than anything I’ve ever done, and I like how it turned out. Besides the pink being slightly off, I think my illustration captures the vibe of this restaurant and would look really nice hanging on the walls.

“Sketch” in London. Image copyright of Imagilights Wireless Lighting.