51 Inspiring Ideas for Your Next Art Project


by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Are you eager to begin that next painting, drawing or needlework project, but stumped for an idea? Let the list that follows offer some inspiration.

1) Trace a child's hand. Add his or her name and the date for a lasting momento.
2) Use a pattern from your favorite piece of dinnerware.
3) A favorite painting or print
4) A fishbowl
5) A baby stroller or bassinet
6) Your child's artwork
7) Use a pattern for a quilt block and create a "quilt" of stitches
8) A collection of leaves
9) A child's favorite toy or toys
10) A still-life of garden tools
11) The flowers you received for a special occasion
12) Wildflowers growing in your yard
13) A barnyard animal
14) A run-down barn
15) A stained glass window
16) A postcard from a much-loved vacation
17) Your house, or a portion thereof
18) A collection of acorns
19) The doodle you made while sitting in that boring meeting
20) Your dog or cat
21) A still-life of fruits or vegetables
22) An old or interesting piece of jewelry
23) Create an abstract image using a digital photo or scanned image and your computer's photo-manipulation software
24) A pattern from a piece of fabric
25) A houseplant
26) The view out your kitchen window
27) A hanging pot rack
28) A lantern
29) A wallpaper border
30) A piece of lace
31) Part of a city street
32) An old mill
33) A grouping of colorful buttons
34) Kitchen canisters
35) Leather-bound books on a bookshelf or table
36) An interesting lamp on an end table
37) A bottle of wine with glasses. Look at the way the light reflects, creating many colors.
38) A teapot with a teacup
39) A line from a favorite poem
40) A tree in winter - with or without snow
41) A wicker basket full of blankets
42) A rocking chair
43) Jelly or mason jars
44) An umbrella stand with umbrella
45) A fancy hat
46) A wreath decorated for a particular season
47) A grouping of seed packets
48) An antique doorknob
49) A park bench
50) A fireplace
51) Look around you and be inspired!

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is editor of "The Spiritual Woman Newsletter." She has a B.A. in Fine Art and a Master of Arts in Applied Theology from Elms College.



© Spiritual Woman Press, 2005. All rights reserved.