Inspiration is a good thing, but you can also get lost in it. We’ve all had that problem of finding a new Instagram page we like and just scrolling and scrolling. This week on Thriving Women Artists, Sarah, Ping, and Dorien will be discussing what to do when inspiration becomes a distraction, and more importantly, when inspiration becomes a limitation. KEY TAKEAWAYS

We don’t always need more. We find inspiration in the things we like, but the more of the things we like we accumulate, the more clutter you will have and the more money you’ll be spending on it. 
It’s not just about spending money on things, it’s being overwhelmed by the other artists we’re finding inspiration from. It is different for every artist but having too many influences around you can make you feel like a piece of work is not yours, just a combination of the things you have around you. It’s something that every artist will feel differently about. 
Social media can be an inspiration when we find other people’s creative posts, but it’s also a time drain. Dorien likes to set a timer for her social media use so she doesn’t spend too much time going down the rabbit hole. 
Noise and movement can be distracting, but it can also be inspirational. 
If you’re finding that some things are becoming too distracting, like social media or art books, try doing something that you can find inspiration in that doesn’t have someone else's imagery in it. Go for a walk or listen to some music, something that you can’t directly take from. 

BEST MOMENTS‘We’re people who like to be surrounded by beautiful inspiring objects’ ‘Do I need a dark room with nothing in it to be able to concentrate?’‘Seeing something very specific can be the opposite of inspiration, the only thing I can think of is this one thing’ABOUT THE PODCAST A serious and fun podcast for female creatives hosted by Ping, Dorien and Sarah, three happy artists from Amsterdam.  This podcast will inspire you to make a living out of your art. We welcome you to be part of this community of like-minded people.www.thrivingwomenartists.comwww.instagram.com/twapodcastABOUT THE HOSTSPing He Ping is a watercolor artist. Her work is inspired by nature and her motherhood experience. She develops her greeting cards brand and teaches Botanical Illustration courses online and offline. www.pinghe.artinfo@pinghe.artwww.instagram.com/pinghe.artSarah van Dongen Sarah is a children’s book illustrator and visual artist. She takes her sketchbooks and art supplies everywhere, which results in illustrations based on observation and daily life.www.sarahvandongen.comsarahvandongenillustration@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/sarahvandongenillustrationsDorien Bellaar:Dorien is an illustration artist. Her work is mainly focused on illustration for children, editorial/food illustration, hand lettering, and she likes to combine those into both traditional and digital art. www.dorienbellaar.nlhello@dorienbellaar.nl www.instagram.com/dorienbellaarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.