About the Author: Erynn Rice worked as an art teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio before deciding to stay home with her three children.  Using her kids as inspiration, she has remained committed to pursuing her passion in art through writing and illustrating children’s books, painting, and children’s party planning.

At this point in my life, my inspiration for creativity revolves completely around my children. From stories and illustrations, to paintings and party planning, everything is inspired by my three little ones.

Recently, as I was in the check out lane at the store, my daughter was growing impatient sitting in the shopping cart. She began to whine, asking, “Will I EVER get out of here?” A silly conversation then began about what her life would be like if she was stuck in the car t forever. For me, it was the perfect inspiration for my next children’s book: My Life in a Shopping Cart. That evening, the story came to life on paper. (I have found that one of the most important parts of being creative is to JUST GO FOR IT when the inspiration strikes you. Don’t put it off… act on it while the idea is still fresh in your mind and keep the momentum going).

My kids are also a great source of inspiration for many of the oil paintings I create. While on a family trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan, my daughter skipped up a garden path toward our hotel, and I was overcome with inspiration to capture that image on canvas. Even the artwork I have created for my children’s bedrooms is inspired by their personalities and by what they are interested in. My daughter once said that she wanted to be a fairy when she grew up, so it made perfect sense to paint one to hang in her room.

As an avid children’s party planner, I’m always on the lookout for new inspiration for party ideas. Luckily, living in a house full of crazy kids who have ENORMOUS imaginations, I don’t have to look very far! My son’s pretend play has inspired awesome party ideas, from a “Happy Hoedown,” to an “All Aboard Bash,” and a “Pirate Parrrr-ty!” I do my best to set the stage for a party that will inspire children to immerse themselves in imaginative play.

With kids ages 7, 4, and 5 months, I’m sure I will have plenty of inspiration for more silly stories and illustrations, memorable paintings, and exciting parties in the years ahead.

About the Author: Caroline Simas is a licensed artist and mother of four in Charlotte, North Carolina whose designs and patterns appear on a variety of home décor, textiles, gift products, and other developing categories. She has carved a unique niche with her spiritually-inspired art, imbued with her lively, bright and uplifting style.

What inspires me most? Oh my…where do I begin? The list is long, but I’d say the driving force for my inspiration in life and art is my faith. As my own faith journey has grown and as a mother of four children, I try to be aware of God’s hand in every detail of life. I specifically notice His creation, especially the flowers.

My mother has always been an avid gardener and has grown a variety of lovely flowers and plants… knowing every name and detail about them. Unfortunately, I did not inherit her green thumb but I thoroughly enjoy painting what she has planted!

One time, a bike ride with my twin daughters inspired a collection, which includes dandelions. The girls insisted on stopping suddenly to pick and blow the dandelions. That moment of spontaneous joy, enjoying God’s incredible creation taught me to see beauty in the little things, even among the weeds. Another lesson for all of us in remembering every day is indeed a gift.

I travel with sketchbooks and my camera everywhere I go…in the car, to doctor appointments, to the park and every place I travel. Many times I take paint and brushes along too! I recently painted for 6 hours in the car on the way home from a family trip….that was a bit challenging, but it worked! If you’re creative, you’ll understand that inspiration is unlimited and happens constantly so as an artist, I must be prepared. Noticing one beautiful thing may tug at my heart, which will turn into a sketch with details and notes, then be painted and then possibly produced into a full collection of products.

My hope and prayer is that I’ll continue to be inspired by and notice God’s handiwork then translate it well through my art. And then I’ll match the art with messages of joy and faith on the products, which will hopefully reach you, your homes and your hearts.

Multiple Blessings by Caroline Simas

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See Caroline Simas’ inspiring journals —> click here

Find her online at: multipleblessings.net, facebook, twitter & pinterest

About the Author: Whimsical characters, bold colors, and rich textures are the defining traits that capture artist Tim Coffey’s signature freshness and vibrancy. Through softly rendered watercolors and richly colored acrylics, Tim’s unique vision transforms his paintings into an inviting world of magical menageries, soothing still lifes, and far-reaching landscapes.

Whenever there’s a creative project that needs to be done, staring at the blank page can be intimidating. This is especially true if there’s a deadline involved. It might require coming up with something clever to write in a birthday card, a creative gift for a baby shower, or ideas for planning a surprise party. Inspiration isn’t always something we can wait for to find us and whisper in our ear.

When I need to come up with an idea quickly, and I have no clue where to start, I’ll grab a blank piece of 8 1/2×11” office paper. It would be easy to just stare at the blank paper and tell myself I can’t think of anything. The trick is to not give any time for that thought to enter the mind. I just grab a pen and start drawing without thinking. I can draw doodles and write words that pop into my head, stream of consciousness style. There doesn’t need to be any rhyme or reason to it. It’s simply a warm up exercise to get the creativity flowing. There might be just one word or image on the page that leads to the really great idea you are looking for. This is how I created this drawing and wrote these words. It’s surprising how often the perfect idea will magically appear out of what a few moments ago was just a blank sheet of inkjet paper.

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See Tim Coffey’s Inspiring Collection —-> Click Here

About the Author: Lisa Kaus has been a mixed media artist for nearly 20 years.  She has been a self-described “paperaholic” since she was a child and it seemed only natural to pursue it in a big way.  She has a special fondness for old time-worn elements with some historical purpose. Using these elements in her designs creates a special and unique interaction between vintage found objects and contemporary painting.

As an artist, I have gone through a myriad of color palettes in the past 20+ years. When I first started painting, I used only rich jewel tones on large canvases. Over time, this eventually gave way to the palette I work with today, which is an intense but diluted color palette of sea foam greens, blues, tomato reds, burnt umber and everything in-between.

So where do I get inspired for color?  All of the usual places of course! Traveling, gardening and shopping are wonderful sources of inspiration, but most often I am “color-inspired” by a unique treasure from days gone by… enter the polka dot boxes.

I started collecting “Nancy Ann Dolls,” complete with their polka dot packaging, as a remembrance of my childhood fondness for them.  My oldest dolls were originally my mother’s, and she, in turn, passed them down to me. I have continued to add to the collection over the years. They are such little sweethearts. I have fond memories of playing with these little gals growing up.  Because of them, I have been inspired over and over.

However, for me, the signature polka-dot box is the best part – I collect them with, or without, the doll inside! The polka dots are so pretty with their soft hues, and the white is such a lovely shade of eggshell. But more than anything, their time worn, faded quality captivates and inspires me.

So much of my work features a pastel palette with an element of grungyness or scuffed appeal to it – soft, faded and smudged from years of love and use.

Color inspiration from vintage finds is a strong element in my work and I always enjoy finding and discovering using new ways to present something old in a fresh new light!

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See Lisa Kaus’s inspirational line of products –> click here