Art Valet: Inspiration and Creative Block
A continuation from Mitch Cohen’s art column, Art Valet in The Leader Newspaper
While looking for a fun topic for my art column, I sent an email out to the artist’s list and immediately got back more than I could ever submit for publication. The last few were part of the column but edited for brevity, they are included in their entirety here.
I hope you find some inspiration here!
Cheers!
Mitch
1. What inspires you to create?
2. How do you get out of a creative block? Can you give examples?
1. Sometimes the theme of a particular show inspires me to create new pieces. Sometimes a new toy that has been released, or some goodies that I come across at Texas Art Asylum inspire me as well. Oddly enough, sometimes I come up with some interesting ideas while I am walking the dog or while I am trying to go to sleep!
2. I get out of creative block by trying to get ahead on pieces that are coming due in the future. I will often sand and paint the wooden bases, start painting the base colors of the critters, try to sculpt some new monsters, etc. If that doesn’t work, I reorganize my closet and workspace. And if that doesn’t work, I start looking for supplies that inspire me.
These pieces were created for Kaiju-Con, which took place last month at the Japanese American National Museum http://www.janm.org/exhibits/kaiju-vs-heroes/kaiju-con/
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1. Creating is my ‘Gift’. It’s not the ‘Gift’ I would of chosen for myself, I believe many others have ‘amazing gifts’ – like Doctors that heal, Preachers that inspire, Police-officers that keep us safe. My ‘Gift’ is creating. Creating is what I do, it’s what comes naturally to me.
I often notice quirky symmetry or asymmetry of an object, the yummy textures, contrasting colors, or unusual patterns. This sparks a fleeting vision in my mind’s eye! I love seeing a bird happily singing, a lizard chasing a bug, my dogs just being dogs… this fuels my passion and gives me incredible ideas.
I guess You can say that I collect Inspiration from just everyday objects. I’m told that my glass designs bring joy to people. That knowledge warms my heart!
2. When I find myself self in a creative funk, there are a few things I can do to kind of jumpstart my ideas. A lot of times I go into antique shops and thrift stores, just go junking. I find pieces of random glass that excites me. Things that are old with neat textures, cool designs, colorful swirls or hard edges. Then I rushed home to see what I can create with them. For the most part, I have a lot of creative ideas that are always popping my head, especially at 3 o’clock in the morning!
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Brandi Untz
1. I’m inspired by being outside and watching the sky. I love watching the sky and nature in general, so stepping outside is enough to inspire. Separately, there’s a need to express my emotions and process experiences. My abstracts are how I express my emotions.
2. I haven’t had a hard block yet, as there’s a constant drive to create. I do have times of drive, but not sure what idea to start on. For those, I will sit and start an abstract painting, simply trying different color combinations and brushes to see if I spark something. I also make a point to regularly attend art shows, as seeing other artists’ work inspires and gives me fresh perspectives.
Upcoming: I’ll have my studio (#21) open at Hardy & Nance’s “Doll Partz II” show on July 20th, from 5-9pm.
1. Mozart said, ““Those ideas that please me I retain in memory, & am accustomed, as I have been told, to hum them to myself. If I continue in this way, it soon occurs to me how I may turn this or that morsel to account so as to make a good dish of it… All this fires my soul” ~ I seek ideas that please me from meditation, study of yogi’s & man’s relationship to the Divine Universe. This opens a sort of channel in me, from which my jewelry just flows. I don’t “plot”, I just “Be”, & it happens. All my Creative Process seems to stem from the Spirit, & not my limited mind….
2. First, I identify & acknowledge that I have one! Often, a slew of excuses & a lot of lethargy precede that awareness. Once I see it, I throw myself hard into clearing the mind, connecting to that place within, and giving it permission to work through me, as me. This is done through meditation. Sometimes, though, some good wine & big laughs with good friends does the trick!
1. Whether it’s art, design work or even architectural features, it’s the inspiration of an idea, a concept that evolves into a vision and finally a reality that drives me to create. Time is the ongoing part of the origination process: how can I improve this? How can I make it truly my one-of-a-kind design? Let’s break it down and rebuild this thought and make it better.
Once the design, or artwork, starts, sometimes it continues to evolve, opening up to me as if I am the archeologist uncovering the next ancient treasure; like a story that writes itself. Then, as I near completion of the overall piece, I get the opportunity to stand back as it reveals itself.
2. As with everything, we become stagnant. Predictable. Bored even. Then it’s time to step away. Change up habits. Change routine. I like to take small trips, whether local or far, find things I like. Find a new perspective in looking at that “thing” and break it down in my mind, geometrically (in my design mode). Can. I take this and recreate it into a different image?
It’s also quite amazing that we all have cameras in our pockets so when you see a shape of a tree, a skyline, birds on a wire, etc., we can snap that pic and put in our treasure chest of inspirations—for future assistance.
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More editing to come …
Janice Jackson
1. God’s creation inspires me to create. It’s with joy in my heart that I’m moved to render things from my life. Animals of all types have inspired me especially water birds with water movement going on. Pet portraits are a delight to paint for people. Since God died for people I’m beginning to paint people, and have wanted to for quite some time now. I’ve sketched people portraits, but now it’s time for me to stick my neck out and paint them.
2. When I have a creative block I usually sketch something anything just to get going. Looking through my sketch books can inspire a new piece or subject to paint.
My next indoor show is the #MySuiteArt Show on Friday, July 19th from 5-9pm. At My Salon Suite. 3901-C Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Texas 77025. There are many incredible artists in this show. I have one triptych in it. Just go to #MySuite Art on Facebook print your ticket and take it with you for EXPRESS entry into the show. Your ticket also gives you 2 raffle and 2 drink tickets. Come on out and take a look!
Painting titles left to right are, “Hey Camera Lady, How’s This?”, “Stephen and Zepho”, and “Ruckus” all in oils. 2’x3′, 16″x20″, 16″x20″
Janice’s Paintings ITBGC
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Aliona Price
My main inspiration is emotion that artwork projects on a viewer. I like to take subjects from reality and represent them in an expressive abstract way than they appear in life. I think visual art can a have strong impact on our emotions, because it doesn’t tell a complete story, it leaves a space for viewer to dive in his imagination to complete it himself.
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Michael Hardy
1. To get some of the junk out of my head! Seriously, whether it is woodworking or music, I usually see or hear something that sends me off on an string of ideas. Some of them become concrete enough to start to bring them to reality. In woodworking, most of what I do has a functional application, so many times I draw on what surrounds the place where it will live – or where I imagine it will live. Like the most recent podium and conductor’s stand that I did for Gonzaga University. The design of their new hall is based on their Northwest surroundings, which are trees and water. So I used the tree branch idea, which is in the acoustical treatment on the sides and ceiling of the hall, in both the railing and the cutout in the music stand. The carpet, which is from the seating area of the hall, depicts water. The rail and stile construction of the sides and the angles in the border reflect the stage proscenium. The result I hope is not just something that is unique, but also lives as an organic part of the hall itself.
R. Michael Hardy
www.WoodworkingBandDirector.com
Houston, TX
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Magda Knop
Sometimes I write short poems with my work. I wrote one as a kind of an artist statement.
The journey of a painter
When I pick up my brushes
I’m ready for the expedition
I wander into unknown fields
Ideas are coming and going
Colors are flashing by
The path may be bumpy
I may get lost
But the canvas is very patient
I can start my journey all over
And finally find the hidden light
My brushes are dancing over the linen
Paint is everywhere
My soul is chanting
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Marty Levine
1. I create out of curiosity. What would happen if I (fill in the blank)
2. I get out of creative block by talking to people sometimes but more often the inspiration just sort of hits me and I either act on it then or write it down for later
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Deborah Ellington
1. I am inspired by nature and the every changing emotions reflected in sky, water and the trees and plants.
My newest painting series is based on the storms.
I start drawing and doodling without an end in mind. I work for five minutes or less and move to a clean sheet of paper. Sometimes I use color and sometimes black and white. This starts to create new ideas.
Here are two images from the new series. “The Storm is Coming” is in the Silver Street Tenant Show. “Ebb and Flow” was just completed and will be shown at the next First Saturday Market
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Holli May Thomas
1. It is in my gene pool and I am unable to tell that inner voice no because she finds this an unacceptable answer. I find inspiration for pieces through reading, journaling, and the human spirit. Deciding on a color palette to best represent those visuals is the hard part.
2. I have a secret recipe that I am willing to share whenever I am at a creative crossroads. I take what is called an “artist date” once a week. I discovered this tip after reading Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist Way”.
How it works is you take yourself out on a date to an activity or location related to your interests or what you are working on. For example, I am thinking about a new series related to reading so I am visiting public libraries in the Houston area that I have never seen. I visit various sections and sit on the floor with books I have found on the shelves and spread them around me to peruse the pages.
Other artist dates I have taken myself on in the past are hikes and lectures. Changing my setting works like a charm.
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Doni Langlois
1. I’m inspired by witnessing surprising or joyful, hopeful things in nature. Robins hopping along looking for bugs, a trill from a cardinal in the morning- chrysalises transforming to butterflies. These things make me happy and I try to add some of that delight into my work.
In another way I am inspired by emotional journeys we take as humans. Those that relate to us all and can connect us, create compassion and understanding.
2. Show up. The muse is never always there – but you have to be there working when she comes. So, I may clean up the shop, work on a different project in a different medium or what often helps the most is to go back to something I’ve done before. Any of those things can jar loose an idea!
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Francisco Mireles
1. Ok. As a jewelry artist I find inspiration pretty much on everything thing that catches my eye. Personally I like minimal and geometric shapes. That being said, sometimes buildings, machinery, and nature shapes have helped me get inspiration. I work with natural gemstones and most of the time the shapes of the stones kind of guides you to a new creation path.
2. When I find myself on a creative block I like to go out for a walk, take a deep breath ,and try to clarify my mind a bit.
But, that not always helps. I heard a writer said that the best way to get new writing ideas was by keepin writing so that’s what I do now. I keep making designs even if I’m not completely satisfied with the result I leave it on the side and make another one ,and another one. By the end of the day you’ll have a creative brainstorm that is very helpful.
My Next indoor show will be on August the 10th at Saint Arnold brewery. From 11- 4 pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2758591744168671/?ti=cl
