How do I start a painting? By getting my thoughts onto paper. Because ideas are great and all, but they don’t fully start taking shape until I begin sketching.
I also have a tendency to talk to myself like I’m recording a live show. Some people think their thoughts *inside* their head, but not me. No, I apparently thrive when talking to an imaginary audience (similar to @jennifer.garner talking on her fake cooking show, but minus the delicious treats.)
That said, my dog is a pretty captive audience (until she sees a squirrel out the window that is.)