What is “inspiration”? As a noun, it is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. The Thesaurus lists similiar words: example, muse, motivation, encouragement, influence, stimulus and catalyst.
Artists, designers, and anyone creating something derive inspiration from numerous sources. We use it to influence what we create with our own interpretation – it sparks a creative impulse that goes through a thought process in our minds and souls to create something unique. I especially like the word “catalyst” because what we see that inspires us is just the beginning. Our end result is totally different and uniquely ours. It doesn’t matter what we create and it doesn’t have to be a “Mona Lisa”, its ours!
I’m participating in a blog hop “Be Inspired”, the wonderful idea of Brenda Pinnick. Check out the artists listed below to see their inspirations. The purpose of the hop is to illustrate how to create using inspiration instead of copying someone elses work.
My inspiration is based on something I saw in my brother Nick and sister-in-law Lyn’s kitchen. Lyn loves black spotted cows and has collected many different ones. While I was visiting a few years ago, I saw this cow catching a Frisbee.
It triggered a new idea for me and I painted a collection of animal ballerinas, starting with a black spotted cow ballerina and added a frog and cat. 
It was then licensed for a fabric collection with Cranston Printworks in both this aqua color and in a pink color collection.
Be original in what you create based on inspiration. Don’t copy (verb meaning to imitate or reproduce rather than creating something original). And when you create something original, you are protected by the copyright laws, rather than being a copyright infringer from copying what someone else has created.
Please check out these artists’ blog for their wonderful inspirations.
And please – be inspired to be original!
Phyllis
Thanks so much for how well you expressed this. Beautiful art, too!
Love the split toe ballet shoes…this is so cute!
What a great example you have shared of your cow inspiration, the collection came out just adorable!! I love it.
Love your samples Phyllis, so original and so YOU!!!!!
Wow, a cow leaping and catching a frisbee! It’s inspiring me to get off my duff and on the treadmill! Ha! I love your cow Phyllis, she’s a charmer! Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Your work, Phyllis, is too stinkin’ cute! Love what you’ve done to show by example. Thanks for starting the discussion group, for being you and helping me along the way!
Phyllis,
Love your work…adorable cow. Thanks for sharing your creative process.
so sweet!
wow- I’d never have thought of it!
too funny Phyllis – when the cows come home, they’ll be danc’n . . .
Phyllis, I love your fabric! It’s too cute – perfect for a fabric Mod Podge project. 😀
I love your dancing cows Phyllis! It’s great to see where your inspiration came from and where you took it. I love the ‘loveheart’ nose.
Phyllis, great fun to see this cow dancing to the moo-sic! She’s so cute! Loved to see the whole collection and read you great post. You are so inspiring with all you do!
Phyllis, your dancing cow is adorable and this really does a great job of showing how to be inspired without being a rip-off! Thank you for sharing your viewpoint so eloquently.
Very “original” post Phyllis. Love the dancing cow and the colorful patterns that go with her.
xop