Finding Inspiration in Antique Shops
Some people go to the mall for inspiration. I go to forgotten corners of dusty antique shops—where the light hits cracked glass just right and silence hums with history.
I never know what I’m looking for, and that’s the magic of it. Sometimes it’s a century-old frame with delicate carvings, sometimes a vintage scarf that feels like a painting, sometimes just a chipped teacup with gold trim that reminds me of my grandmother. These objects aren't just beautiful—they're patient. They've been waiting for someone to notice them again.
Every frame I find becomes a kind of prompt. The story it tells, the energy it holds, the era it echoes—all of it whispers what the painting inside should be. Some of my favorite pieces were never planned. They were found.
In a world that rushes to mass produce everything, I find deep joy in rescuing something forgotten and making it matter again. That’s what I want my art to do—bring old beauty into new light.
If you’ve ever wandered into a shop and felt pulled toward something worn and wonderful, you know exactly what I mean.
Until the next treasure hunt,
— Zena