My source of inspiration...
Osamu Tezuka, Akira Toriyama, Naruto, The Little Prince, Madeline, Little Lulu, Lauren Child, Joann Sfar, and various old children book illustrations as well as maybe some comic strips like the Peanuts and Beetle Bailey.
I think I might subconsciously pull somewhat from Simpsons episodes with sad/dramatic storylines and the book The Pigman & Me.