I am often asked where I get my inspiration for my work, or how I get myself inspired.
Every once in a while inspiration is just delivered to me like a divine gift. A completed piece will show up in my head that I immediately understand and have the wherewithal to go ahead and make, but those times are very rare. It is magical, and I can't depend on it.
I think there is an assumption that art gets made through this kind of inspiration almost 100% of the time, that's how it "should" be. It helps feed the image of the artist as a special and mystical being, an image that I admit I can kind of enjoy, but ultimately it's just dress-up. It's not real.
The inspiration question I am never good at answering, because I get the feeling that people want a formula, or a step-by-step set of guidelines on how to pull ideas out of the ether and render them into creativity, and I don't have a formula. I mostly just do my work and hope. I think the reward for work is inspiration. And the reward for inspiration is work. It's a continual feedback loop. But all kinds of things will interrupt this loop, and that's just the reality of living in an annoying and imperfect world.
The best I can do is look for the beauty in all things. This is a habit for me, I try to find it everywhere. Since I live in a crowded, polluted, overtaxed city environment, I have had to expand my definition of beauty. In hillsides covered will oil storage tanks. In broken down industrial lots with a small patches of flowering weeds. In the peeling paint on the sides of buildings. In the remote and withdrawn faces of strangers. Finding beauty means withdrawing judgement, and letting go of other people's definition of beauty. And as creative people, that is the first thing we all need to do.
Every once in a while inspiration is just delivered to me like a divine gift. A completed piece will show up in my head that I immediately understand and have the wherewithal to go ahead and make, but those times are very rare. It is magical, and I can't depend on it.
I think there is an assumption that art gets made through this kind of inspiration almost 100% of the time, that's how it "should" be. It helps feed the image of the artist as a special and mystical being, an image that I admit I can kind of enjoy, but ultimately it's just dress-up. It's not real.
The inspiration question I am never good at answering, because I get the feeling that people want a formula, or a step-by-step set of guidelines on how to pull ideas out of the ether and render them into creativity, and I don't have a formula. I mostly just do my work and hope. I think the reward for work is inspiration. And the reward for inspiration is work. It's a continual feedback loop. But all kinds of things will interrupt this loop, and that's just the reality of living in an annoying and imperfect world.
The best I can do is look for the beauty in all things. This is a habit for me, I try to find it everywhere. Since I live in a crowded, polluted, overtaxed city environment, I have had to expand my definition of beauty. In hillsides covered will oil storage tanks. In broken down industrial lots with a small patches of flowering weeds. In the peeling paint on the sides of buildings. In the remote and withdrawn faces of strangers. Finding beauty means withdrawing judgement, and letting go of other people's definition of beauty. And as creative people, that is the first thing we all need to do.
I really enjoy your posts, they are so truthful. Thanks! I wish we had been at Vallauris at the same time, we would of had a lot to talk about. Beauty around every corner in that little town!
ReplyDeleteI know, so many magical corners in Vallauris!
DeleteGreat expression of these ideas! Curiosity and openness to the new and different is the only way to keep from chaining ourselves to the familiar certainties in our lives. Takes a lot of courage, but what is the alternative? The comfort and safety of a cage? You are either exploring or you are not. And if you are not exploring, by definition inspiration has nothing to do with your life. But you've gotta make that choice. You have to choose to be open to serendipity and uncomfortable surprises. You have to sometimes welcome these things.....
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph would make a great artist statement for your current work: the scratched and weathered looking surfaces revealing the beauty of the piece...
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike Tamara! I do have similar words in my artist statement about my new work.
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