Inspiration vs Motivation
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You may have noticed that I titled yesterday's post Motivation rather than Inspiration. We may get inspired but then have to get motivated to act on that inspiration. How does one keep the inspiration alive while we manage life's other tasks? Ugh, this is the hard part.
I have already harped on using a sketchbook, and may even have mentioned the digital camera as a recording device for images and compositional ideas, but then these things may not provide the same emotional thrill or impact from that original moment of inspiration. One can't always record the tingle, the shudder, the electrical charge from taking in that just right thing.
So here's something else that I have found that really works. Look at art. Feed your muse. Study cool stuff in person, in magazines or online.
Yesterday I clicked on David Walker's website, and you can find a button in my sidebar to do the same. He designed my website and does lots of other artist's sites too. He makes wonderful quilts and now is into photography. His site has recently been updated and is sooooo fantastic that I got all excited about taking arty pictures and making small arty quilts again.
Arty photography of finished arty sox from the last plane trip. NO they don't match. They are ART SOX.
Now I am really inspired and I want to make a bunch of mini-art while I am on vacation at Tommy's, and I will be packing my bags with my fabrics, a roll of good wonder-under (I tested it!) and getting on a plane this afternoon. My camera is also packed and an extra battery is too.
However, Tommy and I have a jam packed agenda and it includes lots of exercise---Rollerblading! and pool soaking, and gourmet cooking and drawing lessons, and dyeing yarn and knitting stuff, and wine slurping, and shopping, and house walk drooling and watching our favorite TV shows like American Idol (O weren't the girls unbelievably good? and such WONDERFUL TEETH) Dancing with the Stars (Drew or The Legs?) and Grey's Anatomy ( The McDreamy, McYummy and McChocolate Olympics! I adore Burke.) So if there is a moment, any spare moment, I will try to make something very small and very arty and not the least bit cute.
I am going for maybe 11 inches square. Stay tuned.
Oh, I hope it is Drew!! Can't stand the Barbie doll's personality - so forced. zYes, american Idol found a grea bunch of women this year - really enjoyed it last night.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with Tommy and remember to blog so that we can all be jealous.
Drew, Drew, Drew, not Stacy!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the socks. And I love that the stripes don't match up. Very devil-may-care!
ReplyDeleteI just watched American Idol for the very first time in my life last night. It's that knitting olympics thing...I'm far behind and spend last night in front of the tv knitting weird holes in my lace shawl. I'm also going to have a devil-may-care sort of result, but that's okay.
I very much like the reminder about inspiration vs motivation. I often have one without the other. And it's good to remember that they're separate...having one and pushing forward can often lead to the other, though.
Hi Melody:
ReplyDeleteSonji referred me to your blog
a couple of months ago and I have enjoyed your comments. I couldn't agree more with you encouraging your readers and students to look at art. I am a teacher with the Canadian Embroiderers' Guild, (specializing in bead embroidery) and both stitchers and quilters sometimes don't see farther than the ends of their noses, having one track minds when it comes to art. They tend to peruse and study ONLY their chosen field - ie quilting, needlearts etc. I encourage my students to look at many art forms and also, try looking at something totally unrelated to your work and out of your sphere - it's surprising what you can find if you LOOK. Melody, you mentioned magazines as a source or inspiration. Have you seen the latest Science magazines? There's enough line, color, and ideas to inspire you for a life time. Plus, some of the advertising in magazines today is awesome and leaves you really thinking. Then of course, don't forget to PLAY - one of the most important aspects to creating. Everything you turn your hand to doesn't have to be a major project! Try new stitches and techniques - go for that " weird" idea you had and see what evolves. And, of course, spending time with like minded friends helps too. Shed that daily persona, if only for a brief time and enjoy the comraderie of friends, feeding off their enthusiasm and ideas. Be silly, let your guard down and embrace life. Much like you and Tommy will do in the next week Melody -have a blast - can't wait to see the long term results! Regards from Canada where we were watching our" Idols" today in Olympic men's hockey - Bartender, a Manhattan please, no ice, with a twist of orange - in fact, make it a double!!