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

Chelsea Coltman | Organizational Psychologist & Founder of Mare Blu Consulting

I am inspired by others who walk through their fears. For years I didn’t take the steps forward I should have because of my fears of failure or not feeling like I belonged. It was amazing that everyone else around me was jumping into their dreams or starting their business, but that couldn’t be my reality. I struggled (and still do) with imposter syndrome and wondered why I couldn’t be like those I admired so much; what was their secret?! After speaking with mentors and those I admired, I realized they all had one thing in common: they were scared but did it anyway.

Rejiar Barzani | Photographer & Filmmaker

To be honest, I am inspired by so much sometimes that it feels overwhelming. I could see a pretty flower while walking to the store and immediately feel drawn to it. Or pass an old abandoned building and think of its entire life history. Or the trash on the street, thinking about who dropped it, why they dropped it, how old it is, etc. Unfortunately, this constant stream of inspiration can be intense at times because it creates too many ideas for photos or films. I constantly have to hold internal dialogues where I decipher what actually is a meaningful idea versus what isn’t. Read more>>

Laura Trujillo Salazar | Interdisciplinary Visual Artist, Ecofeminist and Future Educator

I feel the most inspired when I am working with trash! This is how I feel the best and the most creative. When I am upcycling or having fun with nasty materials, especially if they degrade, mold, or decompose, this is one of the reasons why I started to delve into the realm of bioplastics. I find this material interesting because it relates to some of the concepts I like to touch on in my art, For me, bioplastics have become an integral part of the inspiration of a lot of projects I undertake, serving as a sculptural solution that allows my practice to explore unconventional avenues. Read more>>

Dana Goldstein | Artist & Digital Marketing

Most of my inspiration is derived from music and paintings. Although my primary medium is photography, I’ve found that it can be detrimental to my art process to constantly look and compare my work to other photographers. It was something I did when I was a lot younger and it didn’t create a positive headspace for me. I try to make art from the purest form which is inspiration, so I am constantly looking to different forms of art. I find a lot of inspiration in the beauty of nature as well. Read more>>