New Blog🎨 Stealing Like an Artist (And Why It Helped Me Focus) Post
Today I sat down to paint and decided to test an idea I’ve been playing with — a kind of “Steal Like an Artist” practice for ADHD brains.
The idea is simple:
🌀 Start with one piece of inspiration that really speaks to you — not too complicated, just something that sparks curiosity.
🎯 Borrow what you can from it. Maybe the colors. Maybe the layout. Maybe the way it uses space or movement.
And that’s what I did.
✏️ One Piece First, Then Add As You Go
I picked one artwork I loved and used it as my launchpad. After I felt like I’d “done everything I could” with that one — or started feeling unsure what to do next — I went into my Pinterest board and chose just one element from a different piece to add to what I’d already started.
No big concept. No pressure to invent. Just add one thing.
A little shape here. A color detail there.
The composition was already in place — this step became about building texture and interest without overwhelming myself.
đź’ˇ What I Noticed
Starting with just one reference helped me actually begin
Picking new elements one at a time kept the process light and doable
The pieces stayed cohesive — they resemble the first source of inspiration, but grew into something that felt mine
Honestly? This way of working was so satisfying. It felt anchored but still free. A focused kind of play — the kind I’m always looking for but don’t always find easily.
Here are the two pieces I made today 👇
(They were pure joy to make — no guilt, no overthinking.)
Would you like to try this too? Start with just one thing you love. Steal one detail. Then build from there.
Because sometimes one spark is all you need.
And no — you’re not cheating.
You’re learning like an artist always has. 💛
