The Four Stages of the Creative Process

From Inspiration to Action

This is the framework I use to bring my artwork to life and manifest projects in every area of my existence. It is a journey from the abstract to the material

The Spark: Idea & Inspiration

​In my experience, ideas manifest in different ways. Sometimes they emerge as a solution to a need; other times, they act as a natural progression or a bold new direction for an ongoing project. Then, there are those rare sparks of pure inspiration that appear out of nowhere.

​Picasso famously said: "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." I live by those words. Don't wait for the muse; start the artistic process, and she will find you. When you immerse yourself in what you love, ideas begin to flow effortlessly

Blueprint: Creation

This is where abstract concepts gain logical structure. It is the definitive stage where a vision is born. Through initial sketches, storyboards, and compositions, I explore the angles and elements that will define the final piece. This is the moment of becoming fully aware of the project's potential and its underlying structure

The Foundation: Formation

Materializing an idea requires a solid framework. In this phase, I gather all the essential components: the environment, the art materials, and the technical support. By organizing the structural needs beforehand, I ensure the creative flow remains uninterrupted

The Execution: Action

Just as the word suggests, it’s time to get to work! This is where the vision comes to life through artistic motion and precision. It is the final step where the spiritual intent becomes a physical reality

Here I share with you some examples of my creative proccess.

Like Van Gogh series 

Artist Erika Stanley with a Vincent van Gogh bust in front of Rotterdam Cube Houses, representing the first step of the creative process: The Spark.

Idea

​An idea is often the silent answer to a question. In 2015, during the International Year of Vincent van Gogh, a simple question from my husband sparked a new creative path: “Would you like to create something to pay tribute to him?”

That was the spark. I decided to merge the iconic Impressionist technique of an artist loved by millions with the world's most beloved landmarks. That is how my "Like Van Gogh" art series was born.

Initial art sketches and storyboard compositions by Erika Stanley, showing the structural development of an artwork during the Blueprint stage.

Creation

Once the creative spark is ignited, the exploration begins. Choosing the right locations is a tribute to the local connection—selecting iconic sites that resonate with the community’s heart. Through field research, photography, and sketching, I seek the aesthetic angle that transforms a known place into an emotional experience, enhancing the bond between the viewer and the landscape.

Studio setup and professional art materials organized for the creation of a new series, illustrating the Foundation stage of the artistic process.

Formation

To transform these concepts into tangible works of art, selecting the right fine art materials is essential. In the realm of contemporary painting, this involves a curated choice of pigments, canvases, and archival supports, alongside the meticulous preparation of the creative space. At this stage of the artistic process, the preparation is a purely physical ritual—a grounding phase where the environment is primed for the idea to take shape.

Time-lapse of Erika Stanley painting a new piece, capturing the artistic motion and execution stage of the creative journey.

Action

The artistic execution begins by unifying every previous stage. Here, the initial vision, the preparatory sketches, and the selected materials converge to materialize what was once a thought into a fine art piece. This phase is driven by a deep intention: to infuse the painting with the same energy and emotional resonance that people feel for those iconic locations. The goal is for the final work to reflect a shared love, transforming a physical space into a profound visual experience.

Result

This vision has culminated in a series of successful art exhibitions in galleries, has connected with thousands of people and sold fine art reproductions worldwide over the years. This series reached a big scale impact, being showcased on the Ahoy Rotterdam external screens and transformed into an immersive mural experience within the iconic Rotterdam Cube Houses.

What began as a single idea evolved into a widespread cultural presence, proving that an artistic journey rooted in intention knows no bounds.

​When I look back on the journey through the years, what I see clearly about Like Van Gogh series is that love inspired it, with love I worked on it and is has been received with love. 

​At the end of the day, it is always about love.

Erika stanley series Like Van Gogh

Hanginng Music series: The Dialogue Between Instrument and Art

Idea

Inspiration often strikes in the most mundane moments. During a weekend at home, my friend, saxophonist Lalo Rojas, finished playing and tucked his instrument away. Seeing such a beautiful object hidden in a dark case felt like a missed opportunity for beauty. I told him: "Leave it here; I will create a space where it can always be part of the room, yet ready for you to play whenever you wish." This was the spark—the desire to merge the utility of an instrument with the soul of a sculpture, allowing the viewer to interact with the artwork as a living entity.

Creation

This stage was about dramatizing the musician's routine. I envisioned a "still life" of a post-concert moment: the musician’s attire hanging as if just removed, supporting the weight of the instrument. The challenge was to design a structure that provided secure, functional support while maintaining the ethereal aesthetic of the clothing. It was the blueprint of a transition—where the physical tool of music rests within the spiritual frame of art.

Formation

To bring this vision into the material world, a rigorous technical framework was required. I gathered the "actors" of the piece: the musical instruments, wire structures to give three-dimensionality to the costumes, liquid epoxy resin, and various textiles. This phase is a meditative preparation: layering resin, sanding, and painting, ensuring that the "skeleton" of the piece is strong enough to hold the instrument while appearing as light as fabric.

Action

Execution is where the spiritual intent finally manifests into physical reality. This was a long, laborious process of materialization. Working in groups to respect the drying times of the resin, I moved from sketches to 3D forms, assembling, sanding, and sealing. It is a rhythmic dance of patience and precision where every layer of resin brings the initial idea closer to its final, tangible breath.

Result

The Hanging Music series was a journey of connection. Exhibited at Galeria Valanti in San José and Los Sueños Resort, these pieces found homes with collectors worldwide. Beyond the sales and the success, what remains is the fulfillment of my deepest intent: to give the viewer a moment of heightened emotion, to surprise them, and to offer a fragment of happiness through the interaction with art.

​At the end of the day, it is always about love.

Title

Idea

Creation

Formation

Action

Result