What are two ways to get fertile ideas for a creative project in your opinion ?

I get ideas for my art projects by looking around where ever I go. I watch for color combinations that are pleasing to me, and for lines and placements that will fit in my design. I carry a little sketch pad where ever I go and make notes and sketches frequently.

Look at the details of a real place, and make something happen there.

For the writing, I’m always a fan of free writing, without any plan at all.

The hardest part is getting started. You can always edit out the bullcrap later.

I do what @YARNLADY does except I bring my camera,rather than a sketchbook just about everywhere:)

For me, I always get super-creative ideas when I’m doing mundane tasks like vacuuming, driving on the freeway or painting walls. As a result, I am never bored and the ideas seem to come out of the woodwork. Some of my best art projects, original recipes and story lines have come from doing non-creative activities.

Try walking on the beach or a hiking trail by yourself and see how that goes (just don’t bring any music or you won’t be able to think of the idea).

Tap into your soul…there is a lot of short stories or landscapes of life already captured inside you just waiting to come out! Inspiration is all around you too and never loose sight of that!!

I find that being insane helps considerably. Look at how many great artists, musicians, and authors were not quite right in the head!

Having a short attention span helps as you may notice things that others don’t, and you may find them interesting enough to actually think about for a few moments (or longer) in order to relieve boredom. ADD/ADHD also counts as “insanity” for these purposes.

I think that @iamthemob has it right in that planning something makes it more of a chore/job than a truly creative effort. You can’t force it; you just have to flow. The most creative ideas I’ve had just popped into my head randomly as I had my mind elsewhere, or had them triggered by something that I saw as I was meandering about aimlessly. (Yes, @Cruiser, inspiration is all around us!)