I recently read an article by Brian Biggs at Random Orbit, where he explores the idea of inspiration in relation to making art, writing stories, and other creative pursuits.
You wrote: "We can only be inspired by something external because we are already inwardly prepared to recognize and resonate with it. We have tuned ourselves to it." SO TRUE! If I've closed myself off to being inspired due to whateverness...........tired, hungry, stress etc there's no way I can be inspired. But if I open myself up to the possibility of being inspired (even when/if I'm not seeking it), it can happen even at the most weirdest times....taking a walk and seeing the juxtaposition of something that catches my eye, something someone said in a stimulating conversation, looking for some quality junk while thrifting..........then there's the times when I'm actually looking for inspiration because nothing is coming to me as I sit and wait while in the studio......looking at art via a museum, book, or online and sometimes just walking into the gallery space in my home to sit among my finished work as I see the "proof" of my creations. Another excellent essay, Cecil! Thank you.
You wrote: "We can only be inspired by something external because we are already inwardly prepared to recognize and resonate with it. We have tuned ourselves to it." SO TRUE! If I've closed myself off to being inspired due to whateverness...........tired, hungry, stress etc there's no way I can be inspired. But if I open myself up to the possibility of being inspired (even when/if I'm not seeking it), it can happen even at the most weirdest times....taking a walk and seeing the juxtaposition of something that catches my eye, something someone said in a stimulating conversation, looking for some quality junk while thrifting..........then there's the times when I'm actually looking for inspiration because nothing is coming to me as I sit and wait while in the studio......looking at art via a museum, book, or online and sometimes just walking into the gallery space in my home to sit among my finished work as I see the "proof" of my creations. Another excellent essay, Cecil! Thank you.
Thanks for writing Carlos. What is your experience related to inspiration in the creative process?
Thanks for writing. Yes, that is a broad spectrum group of interesting approaches brimming with possibilities.