Need a little extra inspiration as the year descends into the cold and dark of winter? I’m giving away a new copy of Designing with Words by Erin Trimble — an art-filled book that demonstrates how to use literary flair in your artist’s journal or altered book project. I’ll also include a raku magnet from my studio, with some wise advice from Emily Dickinson on a cheery kiwi green background.
To be included in the giveaway, leave a comment after this post and tell me where you find your creative inspiration: in the notes of a beloved piece of music? The writings of your favorite author? Somewhere else entirely? The winner will be chosen at random in one week, by the good folks at random.org. Good luck!
That is gorgeous! Great giveaway!!
My inspiration comes from quotes like the one above, from friends amazing ideas, and from dreams or daydreams! :-)
My best inspiration is from Mother Nature and fellow artist who love nature and all her beauty as much as I do! Always drawing ,doodling and learning.!! Thanks for all your inspiration Val!
I’m inspired when I surf the Internet. Blogs and flickr photos and artists’ web sites – all those photos inspire me to try new things.
I am inspired by the simple beauty of things that are taken for granted. Fall color, the smell of winter, the laughter of my children. I love to browse through the internet and local art to see what interesting things are around. I now have my husband trained to automatically go into galleries when visiting places out of town :) He knows it’s my favorite kind of window shopping!
Nature and blog-hopping are my greatest inspirations – followed by traveling, even if it’s just going downtown for gelato. :)
I have always loved words in art. Years ago I knew a potter in Tennessee who made slab art (hanging plaques, small decorative dishes) with alphabet stamps – she used quotes that appealed to her and sometimes illustrated with simple line drawings. One of my treasures is a dish she gave me as a wedding present . It was the kind of art used in your magnet above, but much less “finished”.
For personal inspiration, there is no single place for me, although I draw a lot of ideas from seeing what other folks have created.
That looks like an interesting and inspirational book. I love that magnet too!
My own inspiration usually comes from nature but I also get inspired from the creativity of others. Lately I’ve been trying to branch out and try new things though.
I’m inspired by looking at my dollhouse miniatures…..creating things in smaller scales is fun and a challenge at the same time. I want to create in full scale and learn about new art forms and eventually transfer what I learn into my roomboxes and vignettes! Loved what I saw at Val’s Open House — such talented people inspired me to want to learn everything!!!!
Even though I love and appreciate the beauty of the nature, i often get inspired by ugly junk. The little scraps and bits of whatever that most people might just toss, my brain goes “what can i make with that?” If it’s rusty, beat up or weathered, i dig it– especially when it’s turned into art.
I am inspired by the beauty God shares with us in creation. Nature is breathtaking; it forces us to stop and notice, and that is a gift in itself.
most of my inspiration comes from two places: what materials am I staring at right now & the person who needs to make it. For the past couple of years almost all of my design energy has gone into creating patterns (sewing, quilting) that can be made by people who are new to sewing, often new to making anything at all because I have been designing for a homeless shelter’s cottage industry. Some of the residents learn, after a few tries, that they prefer larger, long term projects (like quilt tops), some prefer something complex (like a fold & sew bag). My job is to teach them to use the sewing machine, figure out what is frustrating for them, what is not & Viola-try & make something that can be her product. I guess I am inspired by the work itself!
Most of my inspiration comes while I’m walking my dog. I just let my mind empty of all the pressing problems of the moment, and look around me with my ‘right brain’. Sometimes I get inspiring, unexpected ideas, other times I just enjoy the warm Colorado sun on my face and my little dog’s gentle, ambling gait.
I see inspiration everywhere—in life, on the internet, books. It can be quite overwhelming.
I find creative inspiration in many places … I love walking outside and just paying attention to what catches my eye. Sometimes it is something dramatic, like a beautiful sunset or sometimes it is something small, like the pale green under a new leaf. LIstening to music and letting my mind follow it also inspires me, as does reading poetry. I’ve discovered that I don’t need to wait for inspiration, however. If I just begin — even if I don’t feel inspired — once I begin the work (either writing or painting) I can tap into my creative energy and the ideas begin to flow. Knowing I don’t need to be inspired to be able to work is perhaps the greatest inspiration of all.
I am inspired by nature but I am also inspired when I look online and see what beautiful works of art are being made…you gain ideas and inspiration to create something great yourself…at least that works for me. I have admired your work for quite some time….the birds and flowers…all lovely!
Inspiration. I find inspiration online. In books. Nature. Photos. Colors. It’s just a matter of finding the time and motivation to get it out of my head. Self doubt does not help :(
Man, I need some inspiration! Hit me!
I find inspiration in lots of things, indeed nature is one, and my friends, family and any one’s art work. I love looking at the beautiful art that others create for ideas, my sister creates beautiful stuff, I get excited thinking of things to make from found objects too. I love to walk the beach and in the woods at the river to see what the Goddess has left for me to play with. Treasure hunting is my favorite thing to do!
I find inspiration in others people crafts by googling and both inspiration and “kick to do” at monthly craft-meetings in my town. To touch and feel in hand somebodys work is great inspiration.
What a lovely idea–sharing these books and your own art with your FB friends and blog followers.
My inspiraton comes from nature. There is so much glorious variety, extravagant beauty, and elegance in form and design….we are afloat in a sea of inspiring sights, sounds, colors and shapes with swirls of shimmering delight at discovery. I say, “Jump in! Water’s fine!”
First of all, FABULOUS blog. I love it! To your question, My inspiration comes from really being still and quiet while letting my mind wander. Sometimes just sitting in the garden quietly absorbing the scenery, sitting quietly while my daughter falls asleep with just the night light on, or walking quietly through an antique store, just absorbing my surroundings. When you let yourself just be and give your mind time to be itself, amazing things happen!
I’m inspired by—creative blogs like this one, the beauty of God’s creation, my children, artist who paint daily, memories, colors, books, other’s creativity, the music of nature.
What inspires me? Fun poetry, new and unique approaches to artwork, color and texture (of fabric, plant material, yarns, threads, paints and drawing materials, clay…), friendships, a cozy restaurant and a cup of chai, a notebook, a song or melody… oh, boy. Now if I’d just do more about/with it!! ;-) Instead, I’ll just head over here a lot to see what’s going on. YOU are very inspiring!
There is no shortage of areas that inspire me, my children, a lyric or melody from a favorite song, something I see in nature, an animal, something I see on TV, words I love words they inspire me, just about anything but I think the most significant place is my heart and my imagination!!