Inspiration

Lately I've been thinking about inspiration. What triggers the urge in one to try to create a work of art, whether it be a painting, sculpture, piece of jewelry, poem...... Inspiration can come from many directions, take many forms. It is a mysterious process. Sometimes something I read will create a vivid picture in my mind. Sometimes I will look at something that someone else has made and that triggers a thought, a question, in my mind. Usually totally unrelated to whatever inspired the thought. And sometimes I think inspiration comes from quiet, uncharted recesses of our hearts and minds. Perhaps remnants of  dreams, fragments of visions, tidbits of forgotten thoughts. 

Once an idea for a creation forces it way to the front and center of my conscious mind, I positively itch to make it happen. Just to see if the idea turns out in reality as it shows up in my mind. I think, really, that's what drives me to create. Pure curiosity! Sometimes the vision and the reality are pretty close, and that's very rewarding and pleasing! And sometimes the creation takes over and becomes something else entirely, and that's surprising and intriguing. And sometimes the whole endeavor is an entire bust. Hideous mess!! And that's disappointing and, somewhat, amusing. Keeps one humble!!

One thing I've learned from Wyanne's class is to step back and try not to judge too harshly, too quickly. Take a break, go do something else. This has been difficult for me. I like to finish things. But sometimes it's better not to. Do just so much and walk away. It's remarkable how different everything seems after a break away. I've found that something I didn't think I liked at all has possibilities. I've found that when I've reached an impasse and didn't know what to do next, the best thing to do is nothing. Go do something unrelated. Come back with a fresh perspective. It's amazing what that will do! Amazing to me, anyway. Suddenly the next step will be clear and obvious. I'm learning to use this knowledge when I work, as I feel the results are positive.

I have all kinds of bits and pieces in my studio that inspire me in one way or another. (Love the marshmellow toaster, don't you? Can't you just see a room full of people, all dressed to the nines, hovering around - a marshmellow toaster??? "Adds novelty and ZEST to your parties!!!" What a hoot!

What inspires you? What stimulates your creative processes?

A Beginning

Every journey begins with the first step, as they say, so here begins my journey into the world of blogging and sharing my creative life with - everyone! I had thought of doing a blog several times before, looked at other blogs, etc. But was always held back by the thought "Who would read it? And why?"

Life does have a way of throwing curve balls however. My sister suggested I take an on-line class from an artist named "Wyanne". That appealed to me because I live in a small town in eastern WA and taking a physical class would become involved. Doing it on-line, I could do it as time permitted, I'd have all my studio to create in without having to schlepp my supplies anywhere, and yet have the interaction with other class members and Wyanne as though we were all in the same place. So I did it, and loved every minute of it. At the end of the class, Wyanne offered another class, this one helping artists to take their artwork to the next level.

Now I had been creating artwork of one kind or another for as far back as I could remember. But career choices were definitely left-brained. I used my creative bent in many aspects of those choices and in my private life, but it took a back seat position.

I spent the last 21 years of my working life as an insurance agent, but when I retired, my husband and I built a house in eastern WA and I was very luck to be able to include a large studio into the plan. I'd had a small area in our home in Kent, WA and you'd be amazed at what I crammed into that space. Well, actually, I "leaked" out onto my husband's pool table a lot (he didn't see the humor in this.... probably why he agreed to the large studio space!) Anyway, now I have a great place to create and have been creating merrily and prodigiously ever since.

But I've come to a point where I want to do MORE. I want to share my artwork with a broader range of people and I want to expand my artistic horizons. So...........I signed up for Wyanne's "Tough Love Commercial" class. One of the assignments is to begin a blog to share our visions and inspirations, to make contact with those who would like to share those with us, and to open a wider window to our artistic souls. So............here it goes!! A new journey begins!!! (I do hope I'm not totally alone!)