Creative Boost #6- Be a virtual flâneur

Even though I am posting almost everyday on my creative challenge: 30 Days of Get Your Art On, I didn't want to totally abandon my Creative Boost list. #6 is all about surfing the internet for more creative/inspiring diversions when you need to take a break from an oncoming bout of creative stagnation/block. So here are some inspiring sites that I like and some assignments/suggested viewing:

1. Wikipedia- you can look up the definition of flâneur. Wikipedia Commons is also a great resource for images for your artwork (but that will be another post!)

2. TED.com: a collection of talks given at a very elite conference that's been held every year at various locations since 1984. Check out some of my favorite talks:
Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity


Robert Lang folds way new oragami:



3. Youtube- it's not always memes.

Here is an oldie but a goodie- one of the first films ever made-


and here is a music video that was inspired by it:



4. Blogs- the work and thoughts of other artists on the creative process is the next best thing to being involved in a collaborative project or taking a workshop. In fact many artists are now teaching online classes. Check out some of my favorite blogs in the column to the right.

What are some of your favorite places on the web for inspiration?

Creative Boosts #5- When in doubt draw yourself

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Oscar Wilde

Stuck for inspiration? Want to make your art more personal or introspective? Try starting with your own image! No worry about copyright restrictions - at least as long as your take your own photo, or make the artwork yourself. No modeling fees. You just have to be brave - after all it is the most personal thing we can feature in our art- ourselves.

The above collage was made out of prints I made in an Artfest class I took several years ago with Dorit Elisha. The printing plate was made out of cardboard and we inked it with water soluble printing inks (if I remember correctly.) I took several of the prints and cut them up and used pieces to make this page. Here are some other samples of things I've made using me: