Friday, August 27, 2010

Inspiration

People often ask all types of artists where they get their inspiration, and they will reply with what inspired them to create whatever work being discussed. These same people will then try to find inspiration in that which the artist mentioned, and find only that they are no better off having done so. They listened to the crashing of waves on a beach and heard only noise. They peered down the slopes of an alpine valley and saw only a cleft in the earth. They tried to feel empathy for refugees from war and felt only that they had gas.

Inspiration is different for everyone. Just as there is no daily routine, religion, or diet that works for every person, neither is there a set of experiences that will guarantee creation of a masterpiece. I suppose that’s one reason why artists exist in the first place: to contribute to an exposition of sources of inspiration available to humanity. Though trying to generate an inspirational experience that is identical to that of someone else won’t get you anywhere, you can look at their experience to show the enormous variety of sources waiting to be tapped.

Wouldn’t you like to be the first person to find inspiration in bellybutton lint? Of course you would.

6 comments:

Twee Poppets said...

And what's your inspiration?

Sandman Moon said...

This is my favorite part: "They listened to the crashing of waves on a beach and heard only noise. They peered down the slopes of an alpine valley and saw only a cleft in the earth. They tried to feel empathy for refugees from war and felt only that they had gas." Fucking awesome!

This is a great post, and is totally going in a WC email someday! ; )

Minima Sapala said...

I got into a conversation with two non-practicing artists last week about inspiration. Both of them told me they couldn't create anymore because inspiration wouldn't come to them.

I thought about how much my life as an artist has changed since I decided to go out and hunt down inspiration instead of waiting for it to come to me.

Candace @ Candace Creations said...

great post! just found you through Tag along tuesday!

I've been told creativity (and getting inspiration) is a muscle, you have to use it or you lose it.

Chazz said...

Been following you for a while now, but in the spirit of Tuesday tag-along I figured I would actually say hello and throw my link out there in the hopes you might pop by sometime.
http://chazzhart.blogspot.com/

BTW, I always find I get my best inspiration from belly button lint, or dust bunnies, dust bunnies are little muses.

Johnnie said...

Hi! I am a new follower from Tuesday's blog hops. Glad I came across your blog. I will be back. Blessings...
Saved By Love Creations