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Photo: Lyn Semeta (left) and JoAnn Rossi (right) at their art exhibition, “Inspiring Each Other”

What’s your inspiration? For some, it’s a family member. Lyn Semeta became an artist because of her mother, JoAnn Rossi, 84, who took up painting 25 years ago, after raising 4 children & retiring as a therapist.

“I saw how much fun mom was having & how gifted she was in her paintings,” said Semeta, a mother, attorney & Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem. “Seeing her create, inspired me to give it a try, and I too, took some art classes.” Read story about Inspiration!

Ways to Get Inspired

• Surround yourself with things that energize you — art, gardening & outdoors are sure-fire ways to kick-start inspiration.
• Broaden your horizons with a new environment discovered through travel or local trips to museums, parks, arboretums, etc.
• Celebrate accomplishments.
• Check out a new restaurant / food.
• Stop watching the news.
• Ask around — sometimes you’ll get surprising answers and ideas that will energize you.
• Clear away distractions — turn off cell phones, media and other devices that may keep you from focusing on what you want to accomplish.
• Have quiet time. It only takes 3-5 minutes focused on slow breathing to gain a sense of peace. Your mind opens to new thoughts and inspiring ideas.

Inspiration from Art

• Study the works of famous artists to get your creative juice flowing.
• Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet are often cited as the world’s most inspiring artists. Take a look at their famous works and identify things that inspired them in their paintings.