How Taylor Swift Inspires My Creative Journey: Heart, Feelings, and the Power of Storytelling

Taylor Swift’s creativity is a continual source of inspiration in my work, blending storytelling, resilience, and reinvention with such authenticity. Watching her craft stories that resonate across generations reminds me that art can be both personal and universal. Her ability to evolve and adapt, whether by re-recording her masters or exploring different genres, speaks volumes about the power of ownership and the courage to claim one’s voice.

Sometimes, I don’t feel like making art, or writing my books, but then I’m reminded by people like Taylor Swift and other great artists, “Don’t let anything stop you from making art. Just make it!”

"Don't let anything stop you from making art. Just make it!"

turning life experiences into lyrical narratives

Her knack for turning life experiences into lyrical narratives is a reminder that, as artists, we can take our hardships and triumphs, our loves and losses, and weave them into something beautiful and relatable. Taylor’s work encourages me to explore my own stories more deeply, with the honesty that makes her songs so impactful. It’s that delicate balance of vulnerability and strength that I try to bring into my own creative world, always remembering that storytelling, at its best, connects us all.

Many of my love stories, children’s stories and self-empowerment books were written to help turn my life experiences into something that transformed the initial pain and disappointment.

embracing vulnerability, finding beauty in pain

Taylor’s artistry is a masterclass in embracing vulnerability, finding beauty in pain, and transforming personal experiences into something universally understood. Her lyrics have this magic—simple yet profound—that invites listeners into her world, making them feel as if they’re living the story right alongside her. This is something I strive for in my own work: that ability to draw people in, make them feel seen, and create a shared emotional experience.

evolution as an artist

Her evolution as an artist, from her country roots to her bold ventures into pop and even indie-folk, reminds me to resist being boxed into a single style or theme. Creativity thrives when we push beyond what’s expected, and Taylor does this fearlessly. She shows that reinvention isn’t about leaving parts of ourselves behind but layering on new experiences, growing, and adapting. Watching her, I feel more permission to explore my own shifts in style and medium, understanding that reinvention can be a strength, not a betrayal of who I was.

fierce commitment to her craft and her voice

Another thing that resonates deeply with me is her fierce commitment to her craft and her voice. By reclaiming her masters, she took control of her narrative, sending a powerful message about agency and self-respect. This reminds me daily of the importance of integrity in my own work—of owning my story and standing by it, even when the path gets hard. I see her as a beacon, showing that authenticity isn’t just about what we create but how we protect and value it. Her influence guides me to approach my art with both boldness and a reverence for my own journey.

connection with her fans

Her connection with her fans is something I also greatly admire. She doesn’t just create for herself; she creates a shared experience, a community where others feel uplifted and understood. Taylor reminds me that true artistry builds bridges between the creator and the audience. It’s about inviting others in and making them feel like part of something bigger. This is what I hope to bring to my own creative work—a sense of connection, a place where people feel inspired, validated, and, ultimately, seen.

Happy and Excited for Everything

More happy memories of a lovely big smiley day in my gallery… Happy And Excited For Everything is now hanging in Bree’s bedroom next to her fav people… her dad and Taylor Swift… honoured my artwork is in such beloved company!

I love, love, love the name Bree created for the painting she fell in love with when she came to the studio with her mum.

They shared the really sad and unexpected passing of their much-loved dad and husband last year, and it is so lovely that this painting is helping Bree feel happy and excited for everything.

Sometimes art is where the magic is. As Picasso so sagely said, “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Joan Mitchell once said, “Put your feelings in there. Don’t just paint some shit like you don’t care.” As simple as it sounds, this quote holds the power to transform a painting into a living expression, a canvas brimming with raw emotion.

But why is it so essential to put our feelings into our art? What difference does it make when we truly care about what we create? When we’re willing to dive into our feelings, our work becomes more than just shapes and colors on a canvas—it becomes a story, a glimpse into our heart.

Art that lacks feeling may look polished, even perfect, but without emotion, it can feel lifeless—like something essential is missing. This is something Taylor Swift demonstrates so beautifully: she doesn’t shy away from intensity or raw emotion. Instead, she embraces it, allowing vulnerability, joy, sorrow, and rage to guide every lyric and melody. Her art resonates because it’s honest, transcending trends and connecting on a visceral level. It’s that gut response, that “something” that draws us in, creating an unspoken bond between her and her listeners.

Taylor, like Joan Mitchell, understands that the world doesn’t need more art without substance. Both artists recognize that we crave art that speaks directly to the soul, that urges us to pause, reflect, and feel. So, next time we step into our creative space, let’s remember to care deeply. Let’s pour ourselves into our work—not just painting or writing what we see, but what we feel. When we are honest in our creations, we give others permission to feel, too, and that is the most powerful gift any artist can give.