Finding Inspiration for Creative Work

Finding inspiration for creative work…For the purpose of this blog post, I define an artist as a person who ‘ practices any of the various creative arts.’ Painter, sculptor, dancer, sewist, photographer, chef, architect, designer writer…

Though the process may vary depending on the individual and their medium of expression, every creative work begins with an idea.  But, where do ideas come from?

Does an idea descend from the cloudy sky that is our brain and burst forth as a golden ray of artistic expression?

Well, actually…. that’s literally what happened to me as I sat down to write about inspiration this morning. I was looking out of the window in my writing/sewing studio and the sun broke through the clouds. Knowing that the moment was fleeting, I ran outside to snap a photo with my phone. That photo was the catalyst, the inspiration for this post. Of course, this doesn’t always happen and to me. I wanted to explore this topic more. Through my reading, I came across some thoughts about how other creatives find inspiration for their work. Read on to discover how some famously creative people find inspiration:

For dancer, choreographer, and author Twyla Tharpe, these moments of searching for an idea are not pleasant.  “I look like a desperate woman, tortured by the simple message thumping away in my head: you need an idea.”

 She calls it ‘scratching for ideas.’ It’s what you do “when you can’t wait for the thunderbolt to hit you.” Ideas are all around you, but you might have to dig around a bit. Look for clues. Gather bits and pieces that might eventually work into a viable idea. This beginning process can be hard work and it’s a part of the discipline of the creative process she outlines in her book The Creative Habit. As the title suggests, Tharp sees that creativity can be nurtured by developing a habit of observing, showing up each day, and getting to work.

I agree, but here’s a different perspective on the subject:

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert takes a whimsical approach that I find intriguing.  She sees ideas as “disembodied, energetic life-forms” who are looking to be manifested by collaborating with a human partner. You need to be available, open and willing, when an idea visits you. The idea might “wake you up in the middle of the night” and will not leave you alone until it has your full attention. (I’ve had this happen to me… have you?) If you ignore the Idea’s nudges, it will leave you and seek out someone else to collaborate with. Gilbert’s book is called “Big Magic”…and it is!

And finally, here are some thoughts by a lesser known author:

Yes that would be me. It may sound simple, but start by identifying yourself as an artist. My breakthrough moment came several years ago when a barista at the local coffee shop asked,”So, you’re a writer?” Her question took me by surprise. Since retiring from teaching I’d been working on my writing. Several of my stories had been published in anthologies and local magazines. Even so, I’d been hesitant to identify myself as a writer. It took some courage to admit it… to myself and to the world. “Yes. Yes I am a writer!” I affirmed.

Now act like an artist

Once the world knows you are an artist, you have permission to see the world through an artists eyes. You now have permission to do silly things. Run outside barefooted and snap that photo before the sun goes behind the clouds. Write in your journal. Meet with others who share your passion. Go for a walk in the rain. Talk to a dog. Go on a vacation. People watch. Eavesdrop on conversations you hear at the post office.Read. Remind yourself often of why you love your creative life. http://seamslikeastory.com/why-write-here-are-5-good-reasons/ Make your creative life a priority. Trust me, ideas are everywhere. Invite them in! Play around with them,! Then get to work on that brilliant project of yours!