Author: Alison Hazel   –   Last updated: January 2025

Artist Vision Board

Over the years, your creative energy and passion for art will no doubt ebb and flow. Hopefully it will evolve as well. Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated. You might not have any creative aims, or if you do, you may simply not concentrate on your artistic goals. One simple yet powerful practice to help reignite your creativity and help you stay on track with your art, is to make anart-themed vision board.

Your Visions

I believe that we all benefit from having visions and let’s be clear, I don’t mean seeing ghosts or having déjà vu. What I mean is raising your sights to the horizon and wondering what’s over there? Considering where can your life journey can take you and speculating if there be dragons?

What you could do if you didn’t have to work your day job, work your two day jobs, look after three kids, shop, cook and clean for your family and be a supportive wife to your aging guy who seems to be becoming a hermit himself, not to mention the constant wrangling with your mother-in law…

You get the idea. That if it was only you, what would you aim for in life? That’s what I’m getting at. Your vision for your life.

My Vision Board

I’ve created myself vision boards on and off over the past ten years. Personally, I use a vision board and like to refresh it every year. My current one is a large piece of cardboard (50cm x 90cm or 20″ x 35″) cut from the side of an old Amazon delivery box. It hangs on the wall with some ribbon I had lying around. It used to hang in the bathroom, as I’d see it every day both morning and night, but then my sister said to move it away from all the drains as the energy could disappear literally with every flush. So now my current vision board hangs proudly in my bedroom. It is directly opposite my bed, so I see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This is a much better placement.

Aspirations

In general, a vision board is a visual representation of your hopes, dreams and aspirations. It can act as a constant reminder of what you want to achieve and can encourage you to stay motivated on your artistic journey. If you have just begun exploring your creative side, a vision board can help you clarify your intentions and reignite your creative spark. 

In this article, I’ll take you through how to set up and use an art-themed vision board, especially designed for hobby artists like yourself. I believe these ideas will help you stay inspired, organized and motivated to create more original art this year.

Why an Art-Themed Vision Board

As a third-age hobby artist, your creative expression may be deeply connected to personal experiences, nostalgia and a desire to express yourself in new ways. An art-themed vision board allows you to visually organize and reflect on what you want to achieve in your art practice.

Clarify

A vision board will help you define what you want to achieve. Perhaps you want to start a grid art journal, have a go at artist trading cards, try a new art style, master a different medium, or simply rekindle your joy for painting, drawing, sketching, journaling or creating.

Inspire

A vision board can serve as a daily reminder of the things you want to explore. You create a visual reference for artistic ideas.

Constant

Keeping your goals front and center can help you stay focused and motivated. Even on days when creativity feels elusive, your hand-crafted vision board will be a reminder of your why.

Steps to Create an Art-Themed Vision Board

Gather Materials

Before you start, gather the supplies you’ll need to create your vision board. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

Here and a few things you might need:

• A large piece of cardboard, corkboard, or canvas (something sturdy to hold your visuals).
• Magazines, newspapers, or printouts of images which inspire you.
• Scissors and glue, or pins (depending on how you want to attach items).
• Markers or pens for writing your goals or affirmations.
• Any other decorative elements like stickers, washi tape, or paint (to personalize your board).
• Some of your own mini art pieces that you want to develop further.

Guiding Theme

Before you start cutting and pasting images, take a moment to reflect on your artistic journey.

Ask yourself:

What are my long-term artistic goals?

• Do you want to learn a new technique, like watercolor or charcoal sketching?
• Are you interested in participating in an art show or selling your artwork?
• Perhaps you want to rekindle your love for painting or focus on a particular subject, like landscapes or abstract art.

What themes resonate with me?

• Do you love nature, animals, or vintage aesthetics?
• Are there particular colors or styles that have always inspired you?
• Which art movement draws you in?

What challenges do you want to overcome?

• Is procrastination or lack of confidence holding you back?
• Begin a daily art practice, see how one artist did this.
• Would you like to make more time for art?
• Do you first need to build a consistent morning ritual to kickstart your day?

 

Write these thoughts down in a journal or on a separate sheet of paper. This will serve as your guiding theme for creating your vision board.

Images, Quotes and Illustrations

Now, it’s time to search for images and quotes that represent your artistic goals and dreams. Personally, I have a collage box where I keep all cut outs, tissue papers and words that speak to me and which I can use at times like now. I’ve always been someone who has an art journal and I like to embellish it with images. When I buy physical art magazines, instead of keeping the whole thing. I cut out images, words and process steps that speak to me for later use. I keep my collage papers in an old flower delivery bag.

Please consider the following:

Art Techniques

Find images of art supplies, tutorials, or paintings that showcase techniques you want to master.

Art Styles

Look for pictures that capture the art style you’re drawn to or want to explore. These could be watercolor florals, realistic portraiture, or abstract designs.

Inspirational Quotes

Find or write down quotes that inspire you to keep creating. Quotes like, “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home” or “Creativity takes courage” can be great reminders of why you make art.

Personal Touches

Add personal images or mementos that resonate with your artistic journey. These can be photographs of places you’d like to paint or symbols that represent your creative aspirations.

Arrange Your Visuals

Once you’ve gathered your materials, start arranging your images on your board. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. It’s all about what feels visually appealing and motivating to you.

Group Images by Theme

You might want to organize your board by categories, like “techniques,” “inspiration” and “goals.” This can help you focus on different aspects of your artistic practice at various stages.

Leave Space for New Goals

While you’re arranging your board, keep some empty space for adding new ideas or inspirations over time.

Attach Your Visuals

Images

Once you’ve found the perfect layout, it’s time to glue or pin your images onto the board. Feel free to be creative with the way you position the items. Add interest by overlapping images or layering visuals as this can add a dynamic, artistic feel to your board.

Words

Use colored markers or pens to write down any personal affirmations or specific artistic goals which you want to achieve. For example: “Master watercolor florals” or “Create one new piece of art every month.”

Display Your Vision Board

Now that your vision board is complete, find a place to display it where you’ll see it regularly. Ideally, it should be somewhere near your art supplies or workspace, so it becomes a daily source of inspiration. It could be in your studio, on your desk, or even in a dedicated corner of your home where you relax and reflect.

How to Use Your Vision Board

Now that your vision board is set up, it’s time to actively use it to stay inspired and motivated. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your daily life as hobby artist:

Make It a Daily Practice

Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on your vision board. Look at the images and words and reconnect with your artistic goals. Use it as a source of inspiration before you start your art practice, especially if you’re feeling stuck or uninspired.

Set Achievable Milestones

Break down your bigger artistic goals into smaller, manageable milestones. For instance, if your main goal is to “learn watercolor,” set smaller milestones like:

• Watch three watercolor tutorials this week or,
• Paint one small watercolor piece by the end of the month.

Update Your Board Regularly

As you achieve goals and evolve as an artist, update your vision board.

• Add new images.
• Swap out outdated ones.
• Add new aspirations as your journey progresses.

This keeps the board fresh and aligned with your ever-changing artistic practice.

Reflect

Every few months, look back at your vision board and evaluate your progress. Celebrate the achievements and take note of what’s still a work-in-progress for you. This will help you stay accountable to your goals and recognize how far you’ve come.

Overarch

Benefits

An art-themed vision board is an incredibly personal and powerful creation that can keep you focused and inspired as a hobby artist. It allows you to visually express your dreams and aspirations while providing a tangible, daily reminder of what you want to create. Maybe you are dying to get started as a hobby artist, improve your art skills, explore new mediums, or simply make more time for your art – a vision board can guide you every step of the way.

Begin

Now it’s your turn to create your own art-inspired vision board. Gather your materials, reflect on your goals and start crafting a vision that will inspire your artistic journey for years to come.

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Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you. Read more about Alison’s story. Get her newsletter.