5 Ways Observing Art Inspires You to Be More Creative

The best art does more than simply captivate the senses. It should also serve as a jump-off point toward new creative possibilities. This magical quality of art does wonders for both artists and their audiences, and even just being able to look at it up close can inspire someone to take risks, learn something new about themselves, or simply feel validated for who they are. 

 

Whether it's a classic masterpiece hanging in a museum or some unique art prints from a reputable platform like DROOL, there’s no denying that art can tap one’s creative potential. Let’s delve into just a few of the most important ways that art encourages creativity, even among casual observers:

1) It Exposes People to New Perspectives

 

Exposing yourself to diverse perspectives is one of the best things you can do for your own creative life. Art will give you a way to do this that’s both accessible and enjoyable. When you encounter art that depicts unfamiliar scenarios or ideas, it urges you to leave your comfort zone and broaden your understanding of the world. This experience can be especially profound when you’re encountering art from cultures or eras different from your own. In such instances, you’re not just seeing something new, but also thinking in ways you haven’t thought before.

 

The range of different styles and techniques that exist in art reflects the many diverse ways artists interpret the world. You’ll discover new ways to understand the world through the meticulous detail of photorealism or the artistic use of typography, which are two features commonly found in contemporary graphic design prints. Either way, engaging with these varied artistic expressions will expand your cognitive flexibility and make you more adaptable and open to new ideas.

 

In essence, when you’re exposed to many different kinds of art, you’ll gain more than an appreciation of the art itself. You’ll also learn how to appreciate the vastness and diversity of human thought and expression, and there’s perhaps no better way to get your creative instinct going.

2) It Can Evoke Powerful Emotions within You

 

It’s not a secret that art can make you feel joy, sadness, anger, or tranquillity, often at just the first glance. This emotional connection to a piece of art can become a profound source of creative inspiration for you, as strong feelings from someone else’s work can stir your own imagination.

 

For example, contemporary prints that evoke nostalgia might lead you to dig into your past and reimagine old memories and experiences in a new creative light. On the opposite end, art that stirs feelings of unease or discomfort can push you to explore challenging themes and concepts in your own creative work.

3) It Can Visually Stimulate Your Mind

 

The visual stimulation you get from looking at a piece of art is often the first step in a longer creative journey. Bright, vibrant colours can energise the mind and spark excitement, while muted tones might inspire artful introspection that hasn’t been done before.

 

A piece’s visual complexity can also challenge your perception and encourage you to interpret and re-interpret what you see. This ongoing process of visual engagement and analysis is a fundamental exercise in creativity, and you’ll be able to practise it in many ways—for example by decorating your home with cool art prints or improving your budding design or photography skills.

 

In addition to colour and form, the composition of a piece of art–or the way elements are arranged within it–significantly influences creative thinking. An artist might choose, for instance, to compose an artwork for balance and harmony for an overall image that’s pleasing to the eye. Or, they can deliberately disrupt these norms to create tension and provoke thought among their audience.

 

This manipulation of visual elements will affect both your emotional response and your cognitive engagement with the artwork. It will also challenge you to understand the 'why' behind the arrangement, which in turn can lead to a more thoughtful approach in your own creative endeavours.

4) It Can Tell You More about the Piece’s Cultural and Historical Context

 

One way or another, art reflects the culture and times from which it originates. Knowing more about the cultural and historical context of a piece of art can thus enrich the way you engage with and interpret it. When you encounter art from different cultures, you’ll be exposed to symbols, narratives, and aesthetics that may be unfamiliar to you. Each encounter may challenge you to expand your creative horizons and think outside the confines of your own cultural experiences.

 

Historical art, whether it’s a Renaissance painting or a modernist sculpture, will offer insight into the societal values, technological advancements, and artistic conventions of its time. The same, however, can be said of pop art or art that’s influenced by the contemporary culture of music, literature, or cinema. Take the time to analyse a piece and think about how artists responded to the world around them, as well as how their work reflected or influenced social and political currents.

 

This historical and cultural perspective from art will be important for your education as an aspiring creative. On top of teaching you about the past, observing art can inspire you to consider the relationship your own creative work has with the world around you.

5) It Will Engage Your Critical Thinking Skills

 

Art also challenges the intellect in addition to engaging human senses and emotions. The process of observing and interpreting art requires a significant amount of critical thinking and analysis, and this intellectual engagement is a crucial aspect of nurturing someone’s innate creativity.

 

Viewing a piece of art, especially one that is ambiguous or challenging, can often force you to ask deeper questions about what you’re seeing. This process usually involves considering the technical construction of the piece, the artist’s intentions, the context of the work, and your personal reactions to it.

 

This critical engagement with art will definitely sharpen your ability to think creatively in other areas. It will train you to look beyond the surface, to question the obvious, and consider multiple interpretations and possibilities. For instance, a piece of modern art that initially seems chaotic and disjointed might reveal a deeper order and meaning upon closer examination. Your effort to contemplate complex artworks will improve your cognitive skills, as well as your ability to tackle the creative challenges that come your way.

 

In any form it takes, art can serve as a powerful catalyst for creativity. It can invite us to explore new perspectives, engage deeply with our emotions, and develop a richer understanding of the things we think we know.

 

Platforms like DROOL intend to make diverse and exciting artworks accessible to a wider audience and help art enthusiasts enjoy them from the comfort of their homes, offices, or other spaces. As you continue to engage with art through our platform, we hope that you uncover pieces that will enrich your own creative journey.