Many artists are familiar with the creative block, or lacking inspiration. Sometimes you should take a step back and ask yourself, ‘Am I looking too hard?’ For this portrait artist, inspiration can be sourced from a commute to work, or a quick mental flash of a place she once visited. Her story is a reminder that creativity doesn’t need to be profound to be powerful.
From bright palettes to crazy bike art, Sophie Booth turns the everyday into something vibrant. As she prepares to go part time and pursue art more seriously, she shares the ways in which you can turn the mundane background of day-to-day life into a playful, observant method of inspiration.
Sophie’s process isn’t precious. She paints with reality TV buzzing in the background, scrolls Pinterest on the bus, and pulls whole scenes from memory or daydreams. Her inspiration is rooted in real life: “If you’re stuck, just look around,” she said. “There’s usually something already trying to catch your attention.” Iris has spoken to Sophie to help you organize your creative block using the simple things in life.
What’s the main object or thing that sparks your inspiration?
“I think colour, to be honest. I love using, like, quite bright palettes. And obviously, with dogs and pets, I don’t really get the chance to do that. I think colour and just when I’ve had a little spare time, yeah, that’s given me just a little bit of energy to get up and start something new.”
Have you ever gotten inspired in the middle of something totally unrelated to art?
“For me it’s my commute to work, when I want new inspiration I’ll take the time to scroll on TikTok or Pinterest, but mainly it’s my surroundings when I’m out running errands. I’ll always see dogs or people I want to paint. I think we forget that there’s so much around us that can inspire us, so if you’re stuck for inspiration just observe until you see something you like.
“I’ve both done markets and been to art markets, this summer I hopefully will do more. I find these a good way of getting inspiration, especially when I see something bold or in colour, seeing it around you physically definitely makes me want to create.”
Do you have any unusual rituals or habits that help you get into a creative mindset?
“It sounds weird but reality TV in the background helps me create. I don’t like painting sitting in my own thoughts. I like podcasts too. I think just having something to focus on, the quieter talking and it’s light heartedness, it calms me down and allows me to focus on ideas.”
Have you ever created something based on a daydream or a dream?
Funnily enough daydreaming plays a big role in my landscape art, especifically if I’ve gone away and come back, if I catch myself daydreaming about that place then I know I’m inspired by it and I’ll have to paint it. I’d say to anyone who daydreams, you shouldn’t let this train of thought go. Some of my favourite landscapes come from a simple memory.”
Do you feel more inspired by commissioned work or by your own?
“I’d definitely say I get inspired by painting for others, not necessarily for the image itself, but it’s normally when I know its about something or someone they love. I do a lot of memorial pieces and I think the whole meaning and emotion behind that really ignites my inspiration to make it perfect for them.”
“Each dog or animal commission I do, can inspire me to an extent. Certain dogs have a lot of character which I love, but as for anything things can feel repetitive and after months of the same thing I do get an urge to create something different. I think a lot of artists put pressure on themselves to think of new things all the time, but sometimes slowing down and having a routine in your work can spark new incredible ideas in their own time.”
Do you think ‘weird’ inspiration is more authentic or more fun?
“A bit of both I think. I think if you have fun in any way it’s authentic. If you’re doing it for money or profit then maybe it’s different but for me when I have no external pressures is when I actually do what I want to do, because there’s no other reason to do it other than just enjoying it.”
What’s the oddest piece of advice or comment that accidentally inspired your work?
“I created this piece for my parents which was a bike with lemons as wheels. My dad loves bikes and they love kitchen art, so I made some freaky little bikes. I posted it and someone messaged saying she wanted to get it tattooed, which is just really cool feedback.”
What would you say to someone who is struggling to get out of a creative block?
“I would say it might just not be your moment. I think if you’re forcing it , it takes the enjoyment away. Art and inspiration depends on how much time you’ve got and what else is going on in your life, accepting you can’t always be inspired is okay. Learning to not feel guilty about this is like any relationship, it’s not always consistent, but it’s normal.”
You can find more of Sophie’s commission work and further information at Sophie’s Pawtraits.