Creating Your Own Inspiration Cache
One of the things I am trying to do with this blog is to create an inspirational reference point for other artists. While this particular blog venue is new for me, I am working to make the “Pages” section here a “go to” place to find out what has captured my interest and what kinds of things I do on a regular basis to keep my creativity flowing. The challenge I have is to have enough time to act on all of the inspiration which flows through me.
cropped photograph
I often read articles online which are often inspirational such as this one in The Guardian. These articles often inspire me to explore ideas presented in them by writing in my journal – what do I believe about what is presented? – which in turn often will bring to the surface some kind of visual which may or may not go into my sketchbook. The thing is, I often do not realize these connections until after they have taken place and they might often take quite a long time. It seems like so much of my inspiration is realized in hindsight. Maybe that is another reason I feel the need to create this cache of inspiration.
sketchbook entry
As an artist are you interested in these pages I am creating? Do you think this is helpful in understanding what kinds of processes artist use in order to create a piece of art? It is true, I find inspiration throughout the day for my art, the challenge is often in documentation. Creating these pages is really about documenting and recognizing just what needs to happen in order for me to realize a painting. If you have trouble finding inspiration for your creative work, documenting layers of inspiration might be one way to recognize what is important for you. It often does not seem to be particularly related to art to the untrained eye, but that is also part of the reason for doing this task!
I am eager to hear your thoughts on this subject.
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There are 11 Comments to "Creating Your Own Inspiration Cache"
i think documenting layers of inspiration (so well put) sounds great but not sure I have the discipline to do that in art work although when I used to write I sure did, as i had draft after draft of various verisons, many notebooks of notes and ideas etc. I am quite interested however in seeing your layers which you have documented. find it very helpful and inspiring. I agree that it is often in hindsight that one can discern how something arose out of various steps and ideas that glimmered and passed through setting new ideas into reverberation. I think i get a lot of stimulation and inspiration from going round to galleries and museums and studios and seeing an artists work in the flesh. thanks kim
Thanks again for your comment on my blog! It looks like you have some great ideas here, I’ll be bookmarking this so I can check back often.
I love the idea of having an inspiration cache. So many times throughout the day I’ll notice something that looks interesting, or something will catch my eye, but it’s ususally forgotten in a few minutes. Lately I’ve been trying to keep a sketchbook handy so I can record my ideas, but I don’t do it as often as I should.
One time I was able to keep a sketch journal for about two months. It started out as sketches from my surroundings, but it took on a life of its own. It turned into this collection of abstract drawings and collages splattered with ink. It was probably the most honest journal I’ve ever kept!
I’m looking forward to seeing more of your sketchbook pages. Sharing ideas is a great way to get inspired!
“Documenting layers of inspiration”–I love that turn of phrase, Kim! You know I believe you and I once talked about how moving things, literally, like objects in the house or in the studio, can inspire. And of course looking at the art of others. Or even seeing a great film. Or hearing a phrase out of context, spoken by a stranger.
Thank you, Suki, Miranda and San. I am glad you like this idea I am working on.
Suki, I hope to share some of “HOW” I work through these layers in the “Pages” section of this blog – accessed through the column at the left. I am not sure about how I can share exactly what some of the layers are, but you never know what might show up here. I am sure you did a lot of layers of inspirational work during your writing days.
Miranda, I think a sketchbook is awesome. Remember, it is only for you – like a working document for your own inspiration. We have talked here some about making a mark a day which has really helped me along.
San, you are right, we have talked about all kinds of inspirations and I am glad the idea of documenting the layers of inspiration resonated with you.
Thank you all for your wonderful insights. I look forward to more of these kinds of conversations.
Hi Kim,
My current inspirations come from visits to game farms or zoos. I have a wall on which I tack inspiring images. September is a month full of fairs and festivals which I hope to enjoy.
I don’t specifically document my inspirations… I absorb them and let them flow into my art… sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously.
Hi Kim, It’s been a while since I’ve been ouit visiting blogs but I’m very hapy to see this new one of yours and it’s lovely! About creating: I think perhaps we use different sides of the brain in creating. One side ‘feels’ and absorbs creatives sparks and inspirations, then the other side comes along later and makes ‘logical’ sense of it. I see this in my journals where I record images and colours that ispire me, then months later it all looks so different.x
Hello Chewy, it sounds like you have a nice late summer going there!
Hi Jess, sometimes it is just down right hard to get around to blog visiting (even when you have the time). At least I find it hard sometimes and you have young children still at home which makes it even more difficult. I am glad you like this blog. You are right, we do use both sides of our brain to deal with creativity effectively. It seems to me, since it takes the whole brain to truly practice our art, we may as well work some way in where we can begin to evaluate what works for us. I also ABSOLUTELY KNOW I have run through a lot of renditions before it ends up here. I am quite intuitive in most parts of my life, however I have found I can go back and have a look/see at my thinking which often inspires something else. Just like you say, “…months later it all looks so different.”
Thanks Chewy and Thanks Jess!
Love the concept of “documenting layers of inspiration”. I think this works for me too. the only thing is that I have to pay attention to not to loose myself in many parallel layers:) So many inspiration out there and in us, that I really struggle with staying focused and staying with the ESSENTIAL. How know, what IS the essential? Follow intuition? What a complex issue…
Have a great day, Kim, and your sketchbook entry here is so vivid, full of everything.
love
Andrea
You know, I think there are so many parts to our lives which ultimately influence our work. For me, when I can go back and review what was happening and what goes on around the time I create, I sometimes understand where particular paintings come from. It seems to me when you spend so much time learning the basics of art, then the results become intuitive. I know you get lost in your work when it is actually taking place and it seems that works well for you. Conscious art making befuddles me, but understanding what the unconscious accesses seems to be very important…so I can keep doing it! This is a good conversation to keep going…
Thanks Andrea!
Hi Kim ~ I’ve not dropped in for awhile. Boy have I missed a lot !!! This post is intriguing and has propelled my imagination into a new direction.
As I near the end of 2009 I realize how many of my goals for the year have been attained and that said, I’m excited about planning for 2010. This topic stirs up the dark fertile “stuff” of the creative spirit that I hope to discover, honor and unleash in my year ahead.
Nice to drop in and see San and Chewy and Suki……feels like coming home in a strange cyber sort of way.
Paula it is so lovely to hear from you. Things around here have been not just a little crazy in 2009 and I knew it was going to be that way going into the year. I remained completely open to what the universe had in store and good things have happened among the craziness.
I am so glad to hear you have realized the goals you began the year with. It is always perfectly wonderful to be looking forward to the new year with gusto. Your words sound absolutely “bell ringing”! I am eager to see what the unleashing brings to 2010 for you!
I am loving this new space!
Thanks Paula!