"Elements from Nature" Collage
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Artists are innovators! We experiment and explore. Every creative act edges us forward a hair in skill and experience. So where does our inspiration come from? For each of us it is going to be different because inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something creative.
Inspiration is evoked from a source and then we find some means to transmit the idea, which then results in some creative outcome. It is often what motivates our work…a springboard for creativity! It awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations, propels us from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.
There are times however, when we feel unmotivated and wonder where our inspiration has gone. It can happen for many reasons, from personal life situations to world events, to the pressure we put on ourselves. We live in a competitive world where success is always being measured by some yard stick. We become anxious and we feel like we must run with the crowd rather than feel and do what is at our core.
The good news is that there are ways to re-activate our motivation…to feel inspired. Scientists have found evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior. It helps us to reduce anxiety, brooding, and stress, and increases our attention capacity, creativity, and our ability to connect with other people. It can also be a great source of inspiration.
I know this to be true because nature is a constant source of inspiration for me. From the mountains arched backs, to the fiber from the inner bark of a palm tree. It is the lines, shapes, colors, and textures of nature that make me feel alive. I use them in my work to give homage to the natural beauty of Earth. There is a sense of awe in nature for me.
As artists we need that sense of awe. We do not have to have all the answers at the moment of conception. But we like the feel of exhilaration we get at the edge of the known and the unknown.
There are many other things that can inspire us. Music is a great source of inspiration. One song can create so many emotions, memories, and feelings. Literature in all its forms can get our minds going. It gives us a glimpse of how others view the world and how they deal with life. Seeing life from a different perspective can be very inspiring. Exercise, movement, and meditation can bring about a sense of calm and insight, because they release tension and help us focus on the present.
But all of this needs to be coupled with initiative, or there will be no art. Find your inspiration and let it direct you in a direction that brings you joy. Stay safe. Carolyn
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious, the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” Albert Einstein
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