How to Build Inspiration Systems with Brian Miller
Brian Miller (Ep.56), loves to be inspired. But as a daily painter, he doesn’t have time to wait around for it to happen. He turns to systems to make sure inspiration is waiting for him each day in the studio.
First, he’s made a choice ahead of time about what to paint each and every day. For him, it’s flowers. He doesn’t even necessarily love flowers (he’s also not anit-flowers). He’s chosen them because they are both wonderful and an easy thing to be able to paint.
For example, he doesn’t have to hire a model or find a bunch of reference photos.
Second, each week, he and his wife, fellow artist Debbie Miller, go together to buy flowers.
Debbie then arranges them all so that the two artists start the week with sometimes a few dozen bouquets to choose from.
Finally, each morning, Miller will choose a bouquet from his options. He’s looking for a bouquet he hasn’t painted yet that week. He looks for the arrangement that calls loudest to him.
Then he gets to work.
Put it to Practice:
There is a pacing to Miller’s system. Each of those pieces has to happen continuously and consistently for Miller to be inspired each day.
Maybe you aren’t interested in painting flowers. But whatever it is you ARE interested in, it can be really helpful to make some big picture decisions about what you’ll paint each and every day.
Once you do know, batch your work so you’re spending a designated day each week prepping all your references for the week ahead.
You’ll find this makes getting into your space and into the work much easier each day.