What inspires you?
I get this question a lot. And it's one of my most favorite things to learn about a person. I love talking inspiration...
Inspiration (from the Latin inspirare, meaning "to breathe into") is an unconscious burst of creativity, a literary, musical, or other artistic endeavor. Many believe that inspiration or "enthusiasm" has divine origins coming from the muses or the gods.
I love this definition because I can completely resonate with the idea of creativity being breathed through me into a canvas. It is not a conscious choice. I experience it more as a kind of resonance within me. I am usually not expecting it or looking for it. It finds me. Often it finds me in nature, or with my family. But equally often, I am completely surprised when it shows up and invites me to play. And always, I'm delighted.
So I thought I would introduce you to my newest collection of artwork via the topic of what inspired me to create it - when I was, what I heard, saw, or did when the muse came for a visit!
Many of the images in my new 2020 wall calendar were sparked through some amazingly beautiful hikes this spring with one of my besties. I believe it was both the meaningful conversations we had and the peaceful, grounding surroundings we were in. I felt deeply connected to both the natural world and my friend in those moments - and that is a prime ground for inspiration to come play.
I also read an incredibly inspiring book.
If you read one book this year, make it "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The author is a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. As such, she has been trained to ask deeply meaningful questions of nature with the tools of science. She embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. And in Braiding Sweetgrass, she brings these two lenses of knowledge and perspective together into a work of literary artistry that is " A hymn of love to the world." (Elizabeth Gilbert) . This book completely rekindled my love and respect for the natural world in a way that felt both new and like a deep old knowing at the same time. As soon as I finished it, I started it again.
I spent more time with family.
Thanks to my new life as a full-time artist, I have had a schedule that is more flexible. Don't get me wrong, I still work a lot. And often I work at night so that I can spend time with my family during the day. But I get to choose the hours I work for the most part now, and that has been a big change. So I have had the absolute joy of spending more time with my family during the past year. And I am always inspired by my son and husband. Because in the world of inspiration (and everywhere else for that matter) - love wins.
And finally...YOU!
That's right. You inspire me all the time! I am blown away by the love and support I receive from my community of followers. And I often find inspiration in the ideas you share with me. Your inspiration becomes mine as well. What a gift! I love that so often you share your muse with me. Thank you! I am forever grateful for all the times you let me play in the creative sandbox with you!
So there you have it!
I hope you have enjoyed this little peek into what inspired this latest burst of creativity. And if you are interested in seeing the rest of my new collection, please hop on over to the Gallery and click on "new" for the full preview!
And (if you feel so inclined), I'd love to hear what inspires you - or where the muse finds you most often! Please share in the comments below!
With gratitude and love always!