Studio Friday : Inspiration.
Tags:
Ah, inspiration.
I try really hard to live my life with my eyes wide open. Always on the lookout for something with the power to touch me, to light my fire, to make me want to write, create, record, photograph, laugh, cry, tell a story, etc.
Products (especially new ones) and everyday stuff definitely have the power to inspire me, but they also have the power to overwhelm. There is a fine balance between the two. I think that is why I cleaned off my board the other night - needing a fresh, clean slate and a bit of space between one thing and the next. The layers were getting to me.
Books are also big on my inspiration list. Right now I am just starting to read two books: The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp and Drawing From Life: The Journal as Art by Jennifer New. I like reading books about creativity, about new ways to think about life and the world. They have the power to get me seriously fired up. So much so that sometimes I can't let myself read before bed. I am also browsing through Alphabetica by Lynne Perrella. During my last trip I read The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion - interesting autobiographical look at a very hard time in her life.
I am inspired by laughter. By giggles. By sunlight. By words. By the feeling of paint on my fingertips. By looking through the lens.
As for holding on to inspiration once I find it, I try not to hold on too tight. I ride the wave. I take full advantage of the feeling, of the sensation; I revel in it. And when it is gone I don't hold my breath. I take a break. I breathe. I know it will come again. I am alive.
Check out more Studio Friday participants here.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
44 comments
Whoops... here's the CORRECT link for the corners of your home flikr group! SOrry!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/86662290@N00/pool/
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Love the glimpse into your space!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
love your blog posts ali. You inspire me.. .did you know that? You do. Just by being who you are. Been told lately that I have been inspiring others. That's a good feeling. To know that our being has an effect on others. Keep smiling. Love your workspace.. I should be so organized! Have a great nite! and Congrats to Simon for eating the carrots.... good job buddie!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
where did you get all that fabulous ribbon?? You always have the most awesome product!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
very sweet post. i am with you girlie. gosh your pictures are so happy! i have that peace
card too and that pile of ribbon....well lets just say i am drooling!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
beautiful. love this insight into what is inspiring you right now...
it always makes my heart so happy to see a glimpse into your creative space too!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I read that book too and loved it. And I feel strange saying I love a book about such a dark subject but I love Joan Didion and how she writes. Did you know her daughter, Quintana, died after she finished the book? That really broke my heart.......
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
WOW....all that gorgeous ribbon is enough to inspire anyone Ali!
....gotta love ribbon...so much around now...so many gorgeous colours.
Great idea about cleaning your scrap space and starting with a clean slate...that works for me too.
I even go that next step and once clean... start to go through my supplies to check what I have forgotten I had stashed away...and then it's like Christmas come early! LOL!
Lyn
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I read Creative Habit a few years ago and was so inspired! I loved how she showed creativity was a part of every bit of your life. Very inspiring! I know you'll enoy it.
Laura
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
i saw that you quoted twyla tharp a little while ago. she is such a creative force. i studied dance in my early years and she was always so inspiring to me. she is definitely an "out-of-the-box" thinker. i will have to look into her book. thanks!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
OK, I see there have been a lot of comments about this but gotta add my own too...YOU are an amazing artist...LOVE everything you do...PLEASE share where you get your product...ribbon....I want it all!!! you are a true inspiration!!! thanks for sharing so much of you, your life, and yourself. t
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Great SF post!
When I move into my new space (hopefully sooner rather than later), I'm going to clean off my bulletin board as well.
The Creative Habit is an awesome, awesome book!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Your blog is so awesome. Your the inspiration here!!!
I love reading inspirational books too. I've just started The Unmistakable Touch of Grace.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Whoa-- the last paragraph of today's entry...seriously awesome. Great sentiment and so eloquently written! I may have to "scrap it" and hang it over my desk to remind me that not every day will I be inspired to create a masterpiece and "IT IS OKAY".
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Oh, love the photo!
Great stuff. :) Great list of books, too -- just picked up "Magical Thinking" from the library right before I read that! And the Twyla Tharp book is in my pile... Ah! If only I had more time to read!
xoox
Lain
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I have read Creative Habit twice... love it. I also really enjoyed Drawing from life, really cool journal examples. Have a great weekend. Tena
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Kia ora from New Zealand. Just had to tell you that us girls in New Zealand are already talking about your classes when you fly Downunder in August - registrations have just opened and we can't wait.
And I have the same PEACE quote on my refridgerator, in New Zeland - isn't that weird!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali: Can you tell me a little about the supplies on your table especially what looks like library cards. So cute.
As far as inspiration: I attended CKU-A Stamford last fall and was inspired by all that was going on that I wanted to teach! And, On a very good note: I am starting to teach classes at a local scrapbooking store called Wiggles and Giggles. If you're ever in Rocky Hill, CT, you should check it out. It's a great little store! Here's the website www.wigglesgiggles.com I will be teaching an intro to scrapbooking and a follow up called Embellishments where "students" learn how they can incorporate fun materials into their scrapbooks.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Tee hee! I agree completely about having eyes wide open - coinsidentally I wrote almost the same thing on my first SF post. :)
And I'll just pop in and say that you have been a huge inspiration to me for years. I've certainly scraplifted quite a few of your pages. (blush!). Thanks for sharing all that you do.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali - I don't know if you've read it, but I just picked up a book called The Creative License - Giving yourself permission to be the artist you truly are by Danny Gregory. It is a great book - wondeful to look at and to read. It is about finding the artist inside yourself, slowing down, noticing life and being open to the beauty all around us. I highly recommend it!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.