What Inspires You, Really? (Spoiler: The Clues Are Everywhere)

What Inspires You, Really? (Spoiler: The Clues Are Everywhere)

I used to think inspiration had to hit like lightning.

A flash. A bolt. A grand idea that arrived fully formed and ready for a kiln.

But lately, I’ve been remembering something quieter—something truer.

It’s not always about the art. Sometimes, it’s about the moment before the art.

The smell of chai steeping while the sun warms the edge of the studio window.

The way a chipped vintage mug feels in my hand.

That nostalgic ache when I hop into my 1970 Ford pickup just like my grandpa used to drive.

Those things? That’s where it starts for me—as a person, as an artist, and especially in my fused glass work.

My Inspiration Isn’t Always Logical

I’m pulled toward strange little treasures—a piece of driftwood, a brass handle, an old sign with perfect wear.

I light up at the sight of rust and rounded edges.

My color palette is as much west coast mist as it is mid-century citrus.

None of this came from a mood board. It came from living a life, noticing the moments that make me feel something. It’s the kind of inspiration that often finds its way into the fused glass pieces I make—and into the local art classes I teach here at Coastal Flow Creative.

Returning to Port Alberni wasn’t just a move—it was a reconnection. To family. To roots. To the version of me that made mud pies with her grandpa and dreamed of art long before the world asked her to be practical.

These days, my inspiration looks like:

• A chai latte in a sunlit studio
• My Jeep Wagoneer and old pickup, parked like art installations
• A roadside antique shop with a hidden gem for $3
• Fog rolling in over the Alberni inlet
• Songs from the 80s that crack open old joy

These are my creative breadcrumbs. Maybe yours are different. But I promise—they’re there.

How to Find What Inspires You

You don’t need a style guide. You need a memory. A mood. A whisper of you-ness.

Here are a few prompts to play with:

• What did you collect as a kid? (Rocks, stickers, mixed tapes anything?)
• What colors or textures make you feel cozy, energized, curious?
• Is there a smell that takes you straight back to a favorite time in your life?
• What do you keep taking pictures of, even if you don’t know why?
• What objects in your home do you treasure—not for their function, but their feeling?

Start there. That’s the beginning of your voice. Your vibe. Your creative direction.

And if you’re stuck? That’s normal. We all need a creative kick in the ass sometimes—myself included.

Create From That Place

Forget what’s trendy. Forget what you should make.

Create from the place that tugs at your chest a little. The thing that makes you go, “Oooh…” even if no one else gets it.

Your art, your studio time, your style—it’s not something you have to invent from scratch.
It’s something you remember.

And every tiny joy, every nostalgic hit, every cup of tea in a quiet moment?
That’s the good stuff. That’s the start.

An Invitation

I’d love to hear what’s been inspiring you lately. Drop it in the comments. Or sketch it. Or turn it into something, anything.

If you’re local and looking for a way to reconnect with your creativity, come take a fused glass class here at Coastal Flow Creative. It’s not just about making art—it’s about making time for yourself again.

You don’t need a plan.
You just need a moment.

See you in the studio,XO, Michelle