Where do you find creative inspirations?

[StillettoDoll]

Everybody's creative process is different, what gets you inspired?
As a creative type I am always looking for someone or something to
fuel the fire. theres a saying" Fire dies without tinder" and "No one build a cabinet by bare hands alone". I often get creative block , I guess that the same as writers block?....
They tell me all the time that I am very creative person , but most of the time I really dont see it.
I am always looking for inspiration & freshness ,and my orginality.
What got your creative juices flowing today or anyday?

:wateringgarden::badcook::chemist::knitboy:
:artist:

[katsarecool]

It doesn't take much for me anymore to be inspired. As a visual artist I am constantly looking for images that strike my fancy. Either in print form or plein aire. In fact, I do not have enough time to get everything on canvas or paper that pleases me. I think this is because for so many years (most of my life) I was raising children in combination with working and it left little time for daydreaming or creating either. Great topic by the way!

[asphaltcowboi]

in the garage with a welder/cutting torch and some scrap metal and old parts/nut bolts,whatever.

[little man]

i have a tendency to just stumble upon beautiful things. i shoot as i go.

for conceptual stuff, many/most ideas come from conversations with people. i tend to think in images anyway, and a phrase or idea will manifest in my head as an image. i have a ton of those right now...i'm only lacking models and locations. i do sometimes envy those of you who can draw. would be so much easier if i could just pull stuff from my head and put it on paper.

with the wood design and building, much of it is of necessity...i just make things i need.

great thread idea, stilletto!

[Gemme]

Looking at the past work of the penpal thread participants can jumpstart my creative juices. I'm a referential artist and often get inspiration from other artists' work.

[Miss Scarlett]

A little trick I learned several years ago (from someone far more talented than I will ever hope to be) is to walk away from whatever you are working on. He told me to go in as opposite a direction as possible. Look at what is around you. There's so much beauty and you only have one set of eyes so do more than just look - breathe it in, taste it, wrap yourself in it, feel it, let it speak to you.

Whether writing or drawing this process has yet to fail me.

[DomnNC]

Quite simply, life is my inspiration.

[afixer]

it happens outside

[Corkey]

From the simple beauty that is Nature.

[StillettoDoll]

I have in the pass , referred to alot of history books, mostly art books. I love to read art biographies. I actually get inspired by paper, perferbly handmade paper
Because I"m a soapmaker I read alot about the origins of scents, plants and flowers , perfume history, aromatherapy, ingredients, art style, .
My photography skills are not that great , I almost spend as much time trying to take pictures of them as I do making soap.
Going to post a picture in the gallery of a soap set I made awhile back , when i discovered the artist Mucha, he inspired me.
(I don't know how to post my pics on a thread)
http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:CIKBFOBlDHFkgM::www.nouveautattoos.co m/content/TimBeckAlphonseMuchasLily_1316D/art_nouveau_tattoo_mucha_lily_tim_beck_thumb.jpg (http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=mucha&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nouveautattoos.com%2Fcontent% 2FTimBeckAlphonseMuchasLily_1316D%2Fart_nouveau_ta ttoo_mucha_lily_tim_beck_thumb.jpg&host=http%3A%2F%2Ftrendstattoogallery.blogspot.com %2F2011%2F01%2Falphonse-mucha-tattoo.html&width=105&height=139&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3ACIKBFOBlDHFkgM %3A%3Awww.nouveautattoos.com%2Fcontent%2FTimBeckAl phonseMuchasLily_1316D%2Fart_nouveau_tattoo_mucha_ lily_tim_beck_thumb.jpg&b=image%3Fpage%3D4%26v_t%3Dkeyword_rollover%26q%3D mucha%26count_override%3D20%26oreq%3De3bc9a1d6dee4 0eba94678540f00456a%26oreq%3Df215c47a1c1a4a99a223e fd39bf5e8ff&imgHeight=694&imgWidth=525&imgTitle=alphonse+mucha+tattoo&imgSize=132404&hostName=trendstattoogallery.blogspot.com)http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ObilKLVRetJSEM::www.artinthepicture.c om/artists/Alphonse_Mucha/muse.jpeg (http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=mucha&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artinthepicture.com%2Fartists %2FAlphonse_Mucha%2Fmuse.jpeg&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artinthepicture.com%2Fpainti ngs%2FAlphonse_Mucha%2FMuse%2F&width=89&height=127&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AObilKLVRetJSEM %3A%3Awww.artinthepicture.com%2Fartists%2FAlphonse _Mucha%2Fmuse.jpeg&b=image%3Fpage%3D5%26v_t%3Dkeyword_rollover%26q%3D mucha%26count_override%3D20%26oreq%3De3bc9a1d6dee4 0eba94678540f00456a%26oreq%3Dd16e8c4e1dc84c5e85d7f 11d8b602dac&imgHeight=439&imgWidth=307&imgTitle=Muse+by+Alphonse+Mucha&imgSize=40921&hostName=www.artinthepicture.com)
Thanks everyone for your input.

[key]

I do art to impress the ladies. Well it is a blend of wooing a loved one and processing all the stuff that comes up for me in relationship. My work is emotion based. I want to be able to conjur up those inspirational emotions on my own. I think that would be a very good thing. Either that or date more often! I really want to start painting and writing again.

[Admin]

test test test

[Gemme]

Is that like practice, practice, practice or an actual test? Or are you secretly a mad scientist?

Curiosity reigns tonight....:thinking:...

[sharkchomp]

I have to agree with Miss Scarlet. I have a story I've been working on for a long long time. I got writers block so bad. I would just sit and stare at the computer screen, sometimes for hours. It was so frustrating. So I just stopped. Cold. I left it for a long long time and then I reread what I had written and BAM! There was also a time where I had to bring it all together and figure out how I was going to write a segment that was fairly complex. I was over thinking it and I knew that was my problem so I kindly scraped all of those ideas and relaxed. Then BAM - it came to me and it practically wrote itself!

I think the key here is to relax and let the ideas come naturally. I don't think one can force an idea out of their brain. Breath, relax, focus on something far from whatever it is that you're doing and BAM! you'll be inspired.

Good luck!
~~~shark~~~~~~~~

[StillettoDoll]

I just wanted to mention...That there is a whole world of aromatheraphy of scents , that are great for creativity, I really like the Feng shui scents especially Feng shui water which is great for creativity . and yes I do make that soap,
Other scent that I have read that are great are Neroli , Jasmine, bergamot , frankincense, sandlewood , geranium .


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/119H2E89X9L._SL110_.jpghttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21jWKcuaE+L._SL110_.jpg
One of the most overlooked creativity building influences that we can control is, in my opinion and experience, the use of fragrance in the studio or beading area. Fragrance is a pathway to creativity, a subtle but very powerful mental stimulant, proven to help foster a sense of well being, energy and creativity. Adding fragrance to a room or area can help us in more ways than we may anticipate.

If that's not enough, take it from the experts. Baudelaire, the French writer, was passionate about essential oils and so was Leonardo da Vinci, who was famed for surrounding himself with perfumes, especially neroli. Even Shakespeare's father was a glover who used excessive amounts of essential oils. Could this have been the contributing factor to the creation of 39 plays, 154 sonnets and countless poems?


Read more at Suite101: Essential oils to increase your creativity (http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-creativity-with-essential-oils-a287503#ixzz1BrAZUFUB) http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-creativity-with-essential-oils-a287503#ixzz1BrAZUFUB (http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-creativity-with-essential-oils-a287503#ixzz1BrAZUFUB)

[StillettoDoll]

Just wanted to share My thoughts on a play I saw over the weekend which was called A weekend with Pablo Picasso. If you artist people ever get a chance to see it , please do , It was soooo loaded with creative inspirations , I was like taking a art and art philosophy class with Pablo! I went away from this performance ready to create , understand why I need to create. It was very good.

http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTVV71wDVYExKfZpmRJt_gu7E2rzXOKT gBjpRSGTBd58rqUhrlktjPZTw:boffobox.com/media/window-cards/shows/1692.png%3F1295672645 (http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=a+weekend+with+pablo+picasso&img=http%3A%2F%2Fboffobox.com%2Fmedia%2Fwindow-cards%2Fshows%2F1692.png%3F1295672645&v_t=keyword_rollover&host=http%3A%2F%2Fboffobox.com%2Fregional%2Fshows% 2F1692%2Fa-weekend-with-pablo-picasso&width=78&height=104&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTVV71wDV YExKfZpmRJt_gu7E2rzXOKTgBjpRSGTBd58rqUhrlktjPZTw%3 Aboffobox.com%2Fmedia%2Fwindow-cards%2Fshows%2F1692.png%253F1295672645&b=image%3Fpage%3D2%26v_t%3Dkeyword_rollover%26q%3D a%2Bweekend%2Bwith%2Bpablo%2Bpicasso%26count_overr ide%3D20%26oreq%3Ddba5b447fb9242c381930b54dc263049 %26oreq%3D7808ab16ca284a1ca914fc83bb9e17df&imgHeight=200&imgWidth=150&imgTitle=A+Weekend+with+Pablo+Picasso&imgSize=16767&hostName=boffobox.com)
Two scenes from the play
http://www.29-95.com/files/images/picasso.JPGhttp://www.alleytheatre.org/images/Alley/bull_fighter.jpg
http://www.tilevera.com/tile_envy/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pablo-picasso1.jpg

[blackboot]

Some of my most vivid creativity comes to me in dreams.

[weatherboi]

i find creative inspiration from a good ole charlie sheen quote!!! cause that shit is funny!!!!!
:mohawk:

[Passionaria]

Laughing, I'm sure this is no surprise, but from my emotions and feelings. I have a big imagination, and when you combine feelings and imagination the river spills forth. Especially when it comes to writing.

[EnderD_503]

I'm usually inspired by artwork that is surreal either in a horrific or fantastic way. For example, the cover art from H.P. Lovecraft's Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre, graphics from the most recent Alice in Wonderland film, or the Cirque du Soleil's Journey of Man.

I think its more the effects of writing, artwork or film that provides some kind of sublimity, a peek into something that stretches belief and the imagination.

I get that same feeling when reading Lovecraft's short stories, or Clive Barker's novels, Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana, Brian Lumley's Necroscope and others in the fantasy, sci-fi, horror vein.

Others are films that have some surreal feel to them, like the aforementioned Alice in Wonderland, as well as Finding Neverland, Pan's Labyrinth, Dead Poet's Society etc.

Basically anything that uses surreal, otherworldly or colourful use of language, images and ideas.

[Gemme]

i find creative inspiration from a good ole charlie sheen quote!!! cause that shit is funny!!!!!
:mohawk:

Well, a 10,000 year old alien brain is sure to have some sort of creative output, right?

:blink:

[StillettoDoll]

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

You become more divine as you become more creative. All the religions of the world have said God is the creator. I don’t know whether he is the creator or not, but one thing I know: the more creative you become, the more godly you become. When your creativity comes to a climax, when your whole life becomes creative, you live in God. So he must be the creator because people who have been creative have been closest to him. Love what you do. Be meditative while you are doing it – whatsoever it is!” — Osho

“Every day is an opportunity to be creative – the canvas is your mind, the brushes and colours are your thoughts and feelings, the panorama is your story, the complete picture is a work of art called, ‘my life’. Be careful what you put on the canvas of your mind today – it matters.” — Innerspace

http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTj1oc7FDpuK41z4sn3k5ocxFybzzHze ME6O_oBbPv0mOp9cFAdlhlIZwk:3.bp.blogspot.com/_g8W_miseDxA/TR_qIQXVjBI/AAAAAAAAAyc/iTmNDwMU9HU/s1600/imagesCAOR71FI.jpg (http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=being+creative&img=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_g8W_miseDxA% 2FTR_qIQXVjBI%2FAAAAAAAAAyc%2FiTmNDwMU9HU%2Fs1600% 2FimagesCAOR71FI.jpg&v_t=keyword_rollover&host=http%3A%2F%2Fthrutheatticdoor2.blogspot.com%2 F&width=115&height=68&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTj1oc7FD puK41z4sn3k5ocxFybzzHzeME6O_oBbPv0mOp9cFAdlhlIZwk% 3A3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_g8W_miseDxA%2FTR_qIQXVjBI%2 FAAAAAAAAAyc%2FiTmNDwMU9HU%2Fs1600%2FimagesCAOR71F I.jpg&b=image%3Fimgc%3D%26page%3D13%26v_t%3Dkeyword_roll over%26q%3D%2Bbeing%2Bcreative%2B%26count_override %3D18%26s_it%3Dtopsearchbox.image%26imgtype%3D%26o req%3Dc1980033d87e48c597df237c3c6320df%26imgsz%3D% 26oreq%3Dacbca976e3c44a0b8210096fb8bf6544&imgHeight=172&imgWidth=293&imgTitle=Being+creative+isn%26%2339%3Bt+just&imgSize=14387&hostName=thrutheatticdoor2.blogspot.com)http://www.beautifullife.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/19/15.jpg

[femmedyke]

For the Artist at the Start of Day

May morning be astir with the harvest of night;
Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question,
Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse
That cut right through the surface to a source.

May this be a morning of innocent beginning,
When the gift within you slips clear
Of the sticky web of the personal
With its hurt and its hauntings,
And fixed fortress corners,

A Morning when you become a pure vessel
For what wants to ascend from silence,

May your imagination know
The grace of perfect danger,

To reach beyond imitation,
And the wheel of repetition,

Deep into the call of all
The unfinished and unsolved

Until the veil of the unknown yields
And something original begins
To stir toward your senses
And grow stronger in your heart

In order to come to birth
In a clean line of form,
That claims from time
A rhythm not yet heard,
That calls space to
A different shape.

May it be its own force field
And dwell uniquely
Between the heart and the light

To surprise the hungry eye
By how deftly it fits
About its secret loss.

~ John O'Donohue ~

[Diva]

I'm not sure HOW I missed this thread! I love it! Thanks, Doll, for starting it!

When I wrote a lot, and had writer's block, I just had to walk away from it....lol...I had PM's saying, "Well? WELL?!?!?!" and I KNOW there are several stories on that other site that have pieces of mine that are yet unfinished! I know it's frustrating for the reader.....equally frustrating to me, if not moreso.

My painting? I'm inspired by a myriad of things.....I repped blackboot because there have been times when I have been awakened by a dream and gotten up and painted it (CENSORING was one of those.....TAOS, another). People inspire my art sometimes.....especially, of course, the commissioned pieces. Nature inspires.........I've used sticks and dried flowers in my paintings. I also love recycled things.....I've even got Shari "on the lookout" for stuff....she is always bringing me interesting stuff to use!

Right now, I'm sorta hung up on ZenTangles.........and I have a painting in the works called WINE that I'm blocking on. Go FIGURE! One of the things I KNOW and I'm stuck! lol That's just cruel, isn't it?

I love color........there are some I love more than others......the vibrant ones are the ones I love best, and they inspire me, too.

Thanks again for this neat thread, Doll!

[girl_dee]

Nature. Very simple for me.

[dixie]

Every where I look. Inspiration manifests in so many different forms. It's the reason my camera rarely leaves my side. :)

[hpychick]

I find inspiration in the simplest of things: a soft touch, a whispered word, the dew on a leaf, an overgrown yard (mine in particular..lol), puppy dreams, music, scents of bbq-grilling, sadness, joy, a new friendship, an old friendship.

There are so many things by which to be inspired, because everything has had life breathed into it in some way.

[StillettoDoll]

I finally broke my creative block over the weekend, it has been a few months. Got a lot of new ideas, and a new plan. Wow I got alot of work to do!



.http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS21T2MdOVBK5BKwqPYFDVlmPHnPXLYa y7-gBun24u_eyBqIax_O5bPHqo:www.pocahontas.lib.ia.us/SRP/Summer%25202009/image (http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=creative&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pocahontas.lib.ia.us%2FSRP%2F Summer%25202009%2Fimage&v_t=keyword_rollover&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pocahontas.lib.ia.us%2FSRP%2 FSummer%25202009%2Fimage%2Fimage_view_fullscreen&width=150&height=88&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcS21T2MdO VBK5BKwqPYFDVlmPHnPXLYay7-gBun24u_eyBqIax_O5bPHqo%3Awww.pocahontas.lib.ia.us %2FSRP%2FSummer%2525202009%2Fimage&b=image%3Fq%3Dcreative%26v_t%3Dkeyword_rollover%26 s_it%3Dsearchtabs%26oreq%3Df73c31469e484ad597be737 be079bfe0&imgHeight=1333&imgWidth=2263&imgTitle=Be+Creative&imgSize=401885&hostName=www.pocahontas.lib.ia.us)http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3fUHSEVMZw/SZu1sMHyvQI/AAAAAAAAD5U/i5xX1nyHtuo/s400/coolpillows14.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3fUHSEVMZw/SZu1sOOl7LI/AAAAAAAAD5c/s6ubxZNBoJI/s400/coolpillows13.jpg

[Diva]

Same here, Doll!!! I finished WINE....it's in my Gallery! Weeeeee!!!!!

[EmpressM]

Everybody's creative process is different, what gets you inspired?
As a creative type I am always looking for someone or something to
fuel the fire. theres a saying" Fire dies without tinder" and "No one build a cabinet by bare hands alone". I often get creative block , I guess that the same as writers block?....
They tell me all the time that I am very creative person , but most of the time I really dont see it.
I am always looking for inspiration & freshness ,and my orginality.
What got your creative juices flowing today or anyday?

:wateringgarden::badcook::chemist::knitboy:
:artist:

Great thread StillettoDoll! Thanks!

I like to find creative ways to inspire myself!

One of my favorites: My friend and I walk our dogs 2 miles every morning at the same time although we are 800 miles apart. So when I need a little boost of inspiration or a change in perspective I call and we chat while we are walking. He takes pictures of interesting things he sees and texts them to me during the walk and i do the same. It spurs on the converstion and the combination of talking to a person that artistically inspires me and a change in scenery via the pictures lets me approach my canvas with fresh eyes. :)

[sweet_goldie_grrl]

My inspiration comes from talking with my Daddy. Sometimes I'll just think about Him and how He makes me feel and it all just comes to me. The most beautiful word flow from me and I have to write them down. Our love is very inspirational!!

[foxyshaman]

I find inspiration in drumming. The rhythms find me and away I go. I come up with ideas for healing rituals or circles I am leading. And singing. I sing alot and it helps me to flow ideas. Yoga is also one of my biggest and most reliable avenues for creativity. I have received some of my best inspirations, writings and workshop ideas while in class.

I also dance when I am stuck. I put on my Bhudda cafe series and sway my hips and hands and next thing I know I am back at my desk and writing new sections for my website.

I don't do Art per se, but art is not limited to the visual expression of my internal workings. Rather it is how I reach out to the world, and sometimes I am even lucky enough to have the world reach back to me.

[kannon]

I find inspiration in pretty much the same things as everyone else. One of the hardest things to do is create something on command within a certain time frame. I think that's the reason a lot of writers have writer's block. Sequels are never as good as the original. The creative energy is sort of magical. Supply and demand doesn't govern creativity.

Two things inspire me: emotions and thoughts. People or environments that make me think and/or feel. Really anything that makes me think or feel.

[deb_U_taunt]

Inspiration comes from garage sale 'junk', pull apart lots, when twice a year the city allows people toss 'trash' to the curb in piles for pick up, old buildings and the list goes on.

[Talon]

Extraordinary beauty (visual and/or auditory)...my inner emotions (the good, the bad, and the ugly)...other's passions, creations and ideas can also inspire the creative process within me, as well.

[mariamma]

I am creative inspiration. I am a figure model :)

[laruss]

Water... Being in water or near water inspires me.

When I need to clear my head and think I take a bath, shower or go swimming.

When I get out of the water I am ready to write or paint, I just want to get into it because my head is full of things I need to express.

[Samurai Wanderer]

It doesn't take much for me anymore to be inspired. As a visual artist I am constantly looking for images that strike my fancy. Either in print form or plein aire. In fact, I do not have enough time to get everything on canvas or paper that pleases me.

This is how I'd start off. More ideas than what I know to do with. I pick and choose, and find that judgment kills creativity, and end up with little or no ideas to pursue.

Then I do this...

I think the key here is to relax and let the ideas come naturally. I don't think one can force an idea out of their brain. Breath, relax, focus on something far from whatever it is that you're doing and BAM! you'll be inspired.

... and if I can quieten myself enough, I'd eventually end up with a workable idea to build on. The more naturally I can relate to it, the easier it seems to develop. Still, the whole process can be quite an ordeal when creativity decides not to cooperate.

Recently, I've been letting this idea about the "creative genius" sink in:

86x-u-tz0MA

Thanks for the interesting thread!

[StillettoDoll]

This is how I'd start off. More ideas than what I know to do with. I pick and choose, and find that judgment kills creativity, and end up with little or no ideas to pursue.

Then I do this...



... and if I can quieten myself enough, I'd eventually end up with a workable idea to build on. The more naturally I can relate to it, the easier it seems to develop. Still, the whole process can be quite an ordeal when creativity decides not to cooperate.

Recently, I've been letting this idea about the "creative genius" sink in:

86x-u-tz0MA

Thanks for the interesting thread!

Love this talk! Creative fairies hmmmmmmm Thanks for sharing.

[cinnamongrrl]

I agree with Cajun Dee... I find infinite inspiration in nature...it's my energy...it's my church....being in the woods does me so much good, body and soul...it's something I need rather than want.....the woods are my happy place :)

:moonstars:

[StrongButch]

I see pictures everywhere. I find that my creative energy comes from my heart.

[Ginger]

For me it always begins with observation.

[Metro]

Although my work is very different, I am inspired to think critically about the world by these two particular artists:


Jenny Holzer http://tinyurl.com/ceurtxd


Barbara Kruger http://tinyurl.com/clfdt3w


I find their work at once empowering and chilling.

[Gemme]

I adore this artist:

Kelly Rae Roberts (http://kellyraeroberts.com/portfolio)

[Greco]

Observing people in crowded NYC streets...in quiet bookstores...in nature...seeing, really seeing.

Greco

[LaCircé]

I have been drawing and painting for the better part of half a century, my inspiration comes from this need to express what I see or think in a way that others can see. In the past few years, my inspiration is closely linked to all things women, from the purely erotic to queer and more feminist pieces. The condition of my sisters gets my creative side going big time, this is when I feel motivated and know I must use my abilities to speak on such topics.

[~ocean]

When I'm chillin w. my bestie (((((( bella )))))) ~~ ppp lol........

[Bella~Vita]

When I'm chillin w. my bestie (((((( bella )))))) ~~ ppp lol........

That's a whotta of creativity there "Bestie" ... ppp:sunglass:

(((((((( luva my ~Bestie~ ... The ppp gal!

[Bleu]

Inspiration for my work comes from so many places.

Everywhere, really...

a dozen eagles sitting on a frozen pond in Nebraska

the faded, wobbly-lined ink on the back of the man's neck who is standing in front of me at a convenience store

a beloved dog sporting a fresh groom and clip, a crisp triangle of bright bandana tied under his chin

the chipped red nail polish of a waitresses fingernails

a hooded man sitting on his duffle bag by the side of the road

mist

[macele]

talking with others about writing. sharing things we've written. a friend and i did a writing exercise she called tit for tat. every so often i'd send her something i wrote and she'd have to send me a piece she wrote in return. back and forth.

just talking about living/life with another writer is inspiring.

music always inspires me. i'm a dark, emotional writer. the sadder the better.

[~baby~doll~]

I read voraciously stimulating the thought process. A glimpse of an idea sprouts. Imagery flows over me the same way, a picture of a pole dancer, or old man sitting along a curb wine bottle in a bag, even a building burning touch the creative and off I go with pen in hand to flesh this idea into form. It process is much like a seamstress creating a delectable gown one stitch at a time and the story grows.

[NorCalStud]

Quick connects with strangers. Sorta a Studs Terkel approach. I like to meet people in everyday situations and where there is a time restraint....We are waiting in line..... We are walking our dogs ect.. then...To fall into sharing on any topic and go deep fast. Deep as in..get to the heart of the matter...like we both want to and do bcuz there is a time restraint and bcuz we probably wont see each other again. In these situations I listen more. I already know how I feel..it is them I usually like to hear from. I dont want them to feel interviewed so I am casual but my goal is to get them to bust wide open and tell me deep shit about their lives good and bad. Real. Human. True. And then laugh at life together before we part ways.

[Metro]

Bumpity bump!


Defining a creative "problem" helps me arrive at a creative "solution". Just as important is setting parameters. Without doing so (or having them) I tend to flail and miss the "solution".

:pinata:

Parameters could be one or any combination of things i.e. tools, medium, color palette, tone/voice, audience, concept, theme -- even deadlines. You get the idea. That's what works for me.

[Chelsius]

Literally everything. It could be a book, a song, a sunrise, a rainy day, a smell, a feeling...I never know what will get my creative juices flowing.

[deb_U_taunt]

meditation at the sound garden:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/3264860696_d7b857c42d.jpg

Kubota Gardens:
http://b5media_b4.s3.amazonaws.com/29/files/2007/07/kubota-garden.jpg

Annual burning man trip is my super recharge:
http://seatgeek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Burning-Man.jpeg

[Jesse]

I get my inspiration from my own imagination, nature, the works of others, etc. Pinterest is also a great inspiration at times.

[Medusa]

I found a LOT of inspiration while on our vacation to New Orleans just in the landscape and terrain of the city. Anything from the spanish moss hanging from the trees to the architecture in the centuries-old graveyards. Truly a magical city with tons of inspiration.

I even brought home a bag of moss we collected from some trees on the side of the road! Projects will be forthcoming ;)

[cricket26]

the best inspirations come from every day life...a photo of the children looking out an old window pane...a weeping willow in the work parking lot...a bicycle in between 2 old buildings...my sis got a pic of a gorgeous sunrise on her way to work...slow down...smell the roses...and capture it on film :)

[Gemme]

In my jelly.

Seriously.

This is going to be awesome!

[Greco]

Hadn't been to this thread since 2012?!

This from back then still holds true. Now though
it is an expansive sky, star filled nights, SPACE...lots
of SPACE...and high desert Sun rises...and Sun sets.
Thanks again StillettoDoll for starting this thread.

Greco


Observing people in crowded NYC streets...in quiet bookstores...in nature...seeing, really seeing.

Greco

[kittygrrl]

Beautyhttps://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/f1/37/39f137abd59ee2d01505b8b4709fc9ac.jpg

[Kätzchen]

Annie Dillard's Pilgrim At Tinker Creek is filled with thought-provoking inspiration based upon the many observations she has made while out in natural settings. For example, her paintings and her writing has influenced and inspired me to look more closely for how we can find alternative answers within natural settings.

In particular, the painting below is a favorite. It inspires me with peaceful feelings.

http://www.anniedillard.com/drawings-paintings-images/Maine-8x12.jpg

[Kätzchen]

"A field of sunflowers is like a sky with a thousand suns," ~ The Gardening Cook.

https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/1-sunflower-sunset-kristal-kraft.jpg

(Image Credit: Kristal Kraft (https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/1-sunflower-sunset-kristal-kraft.jpg))

[Kätzchen]

https://cdn-image.departures.com/sites/default/files/1541776982/aurora-borealis-alaska-northern-lights-usa-USAURORA1118.jpg

[FireSignFemme]

Though this just looks like a picture taken of a woman behind some bubble wrap

https://apertura.cl/tienda/img/cms/Darian%20Mederos/darian%20mederos%206.jpg

it is actually a painting by artist Darian Mederos. Though it's primarially his bubble wrap paintings he's best known for he also paints in other styles using a variety of techniques.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/9dd7df444dcd889672928779e03aa85b/205a6c047d67f196-a6/s500x750/491cf0f819389b6b72390e445687fb215af46328.jpg https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQXGROuWrV4H3fkbS6TgXsHJiw7JPvra MUNDA&usqp=CAU https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSVTyTAWsAIGUQE?format=jpg&name=small

His work, the detail it's just amazing

https://www.condecontemporary.com/darian-mederos[/url]

https://www.artsy.net/artist/darian-rodriguez-mederos/works-for-sale[/url]


Now here is a different type of bubble art altogether. Artist Bradley Hart takes plastic bubble wrap and injects each bubble with paint in order to create copies of famous painters past, as well as his own designs. After finishing one he then creates a drip design painting of the work.

https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/bradley-hart-studio-inc/artwork/matisse-odalisque-interpreted-injection
https://www.andersoncontemporary.com/one80-bradley-hart.html

https://www.fastcompany.com/3030132/bubble-wrap-and-algorithms-riffing-on-famous-paintings

https://www.designboom.com/art/bradley-hart-injected-bubble-wrap-paintings-05-02-2014/

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e38b30bc182ca3ee4faeb3b/1589563392254-1C36QPWCDT705FCORY2P/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kFRZscdFDRj15lklr_wGCFcUqsxRUq qbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8N_N4V1vUb5AoIII bLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKctYTipyfOTNTbUceJPjiPgd FWJ9YXZiTf_QSgnSIOncLf3Y8VIICM4JCc1PPUmuYW/bradley_hart.jpg

[FireSignFemme]

Uw2tp4o5noA&ab_channel=LocalishLocalish

https://portraymag.com/2019/02/darian-mederos-brave-new-world/

https://portraymag.com/2019/02/darian-mederos-brave-new-world/

[Greco]

The eyes have it, period.

Greco

[FireSignFemme]

https://cs5.livemaster.ru/storage/6c/d2/4ab36e62c51ca8eafd837e69ea71--brooches-african-imani-beaded-brooch-girl-brooch-with-braids.jpg

[Kätzchen]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/ed/77/b9ed77241acd3749c120697c0e2d8839.jpg

[kittygrrl]

the craft, the arts, music