We asked some of the most inspiring folks we know to tell us what they are inspired by.

Christina Fishburne | Writer and Artist

When I was little and finished a movie or a book or listening to beautiful music, I’d go to my room and “play” it. As I got older I stopped playing but I’ve never stopped pretending. Movie soundtracks are my go to background noise when writing and painting because all the emotion is there. Characters start talking to each other, colors come together better, and staring out the window becomes more convincingly called “working”. I’m fascinated by backstories and the Bronte siblings: who have an epic backstory. I’m most inspired by how people end up where they are. The choices we make, the circumstances dropped on us, the obstacles overcome–or not– interest me. Read more>>

Jonathan Sichak | Motion Graphics Artist

What inspires me is the profound beauty and precision found in the details of the natural world. To quote Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “God is in the details.” This idea captures the design present in everything from the microscopic world of microbes to the vast expanse of the cosmos. Whether you see this harmony as the work of a deity, a creator, or the wonders of science, the way the universe aligns so perfectly and intricately is truly awe-inspiring. Read more>>

Patrick “embryo” Tapu | Director / Cinematographer

I am inspired by artists. The real artists. The rebels. The heretics. The people who go against the grain and challenge the status quo. The ones who dare to take risks and push boundaries. Those are the people who change the world. They break through the current limitations and expand humanities perspective. They bother and provoke people to think differently and see the world with a broader vision. Read more>>

Ian Cato | Painter & Sculptor

All of my favorite sci-fi movies I grew up on are coming true these days and it’s insane. I’m also very inspired by how surreal nature can be, from weird bugs, to sea life, and especially the habits of birds and amphibians.

Moosa Khan | Visual Artist and Illustrator

I have always been a big fan of squash and stretch transition frames in animation. I feel as if the chaos of these frames gradually gives way to order, where shapes and shadows begin to tell their own stories. Good storytelling in my opinion isn’t about individuality, it’s about finding a way to calm the anxieties we all carry. I am inspired by art tinged with a certain sense of melancholy, like a coffee stain on a drawing one might have been working. Read more>>