There’s a pull. We’re drawn to inspiration. Once we’ve absorbed it, pulling it back out of ourselves can be troublesome. Being able to recognize its existence within us is a skill in need of practice. The basis of inspiration builds up within us and its permanent residence may cause new additions to be overlooked. “Oh, … Continue reading Initiation of Inspiration: Recognition
When the itch isn’t accompanied by ignition, when we struggle to take initiative when hit with the urge to create, we must practice our information recall. Every interesting thought we’ve had since our last creative session has disappeared. Notes may jog our memory but lack the internal flow of a natural spark— we’re detached from … Continue reading Initiation of Inspiration: Recall
What we see and experience is a powerful influence on our being. Our sensory input designs our reality. Receptors take external stimuli and curate logical imagery. Sketching, putting lines on paper, is a way we can once more replicate reality having passed into us and then out through us. When drawing studies of the world … Continue reading Why I Sketch
All ideas come from somewhere. They’re a reaction, like fire, spawned from a connection. This is inspiration. The moment a connection is made between you and the subject, tinder and heat, some intrigue or recognition begins creating something new that’s neither tinder nor heat. Layers, boundaries, and relationships are the equation for inspiration. An idea … Continue reading Inspiration as Proof of the Soul
Expensive materials are rarely ever needed. Any hobby can be pursued sustainably without a need for money— you must utilize imagination and our natural instincts to make things. Art especially needs nothing but inspiration. Most of the best art I’ve come out and have seen with has been with recycled or unconventional materials. In art … Continue reading Making Art With No Money
Alchemical allegory sketch digitally on Procreate, Phase One - Calcination, Distillation, Separation
Are you afraid to create ‘bad’ art? The answer for myself is invariably yes, as is the answer to the question of failing or underwhelming, but it’s an incomplete response. Yes, I’m afraid, and I understand why I am, and why ‘bad’ art is important. Being aware of the whats and whys brings about a … Continue reading Good to Be Bad: Making Art
There is nothing inherently limited by working in one media, there is value and power in a piece comprised of one substance with singular support such as oil on canvas, charcoal on paper, there’s dedication. Skilled artists are unrestricted and are capable of using their material to its full potential which is, as potential is, … Continue reading Reasons to Explore Multimedia Art
When doing anything, we tend to second guess ourselves or meet roadblocks built by our own unconscious hand. Getting things done means finding rhythm in our work, pushing forward. We can’t always be confident but we can do our best to be persistent. NaNoWriMo is a good example of learning flow, National Novel Writing Month … Continue reading Learning to Flow
Art practice is a tool belt. We collect exercises and processes to advance our creativity and ability to derive and hone in on inspiration. My fiancé’s professor recently advised the two of us to start every day with stream of consciousness writing. Much like brainstorming (which I write about in Making Conceptual Connections in Art) … Continue reading Art Practice: Stream of Consciousness
Sustaining Practice 