In the middle of summer, what sparks your creativity? What lights the passion within you to make or design something new? I decided to ask that question today because I am working on answering it for myself. I keep hearing about the importance of working now on items for the holiday season ahead -- but it's really hard sometimes to think about creating for Christmas or Hanukkah when its 90 degrees outside!
I currently have 22 books home -- borrowed from my local library, hoping that one of them will invite the muse to visit. Is that what you do? I've been in and out of the fabric store, the hobby store, and browsing the magazine aisle in the grocery store. I think about taking a class in the local knitting shop while visiting there, but the materials fees on top of the class fee sounds pretty steep. Yet, I longingly look just a little longer while fingering the new yarn arrivals.
Sometimes I sit in my studio and doodle -- or stare into the closet at drawers filled with every color and shade of fabric, hoping they will speak to me. But, one of my favorite places to feel the muse whisper is in seeing the wonderful creations of my fellow artists and teammates. Seeing others at work on some new project, or hearing about a class they are taking lights just a little fire in me and sets me working on a hot summer's day. I love the fantasy SixSisters brings to her watercolor fairies (above). Maybe my muse hides there!
Ah, but then maybe it isn't in fantasy I will discover my inspiration, but from nature. BethPeardonProds photos invite the eye to look deeper into the spirit of what she has captured!
Or should I sit in the garden of all the lovely flower paintings in PFDOriginalArtworks shop? Her work is very inspirational!
TheKnottySheep has some gorgeous new hand spun yarns inviting my fingers to make something fun!
But, the inspiration in the supplies category doesn't stop there. Just look at the buttons to be discovered in BizzieBeeButtons shop!
Ah, well, I get stuck there on occasion -- because my little crow's nest studio has supplies galore, but I still don't seem to find the inspiration to start the spark on how to use them. Maybe I what I really need is Artmixer's great book Finding Your Creative Focus!
If you have other ideas on how to stimulate creating in the summer heat -- I would love to hear them in your comments. And do visit these great Bbest Team shops where others have already been inspired to create!
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11 comments:
Great post Judi!!! AND, love the selections.... what helps me find my muse? Creating time to muse :) But mostly watching Mother Nature and all the wonders around me that then come together in my mind which then in turn flow into my imagination to create an encaustic painting.
Thanks Judi for your wonderful post and for including
one of my fantasy pieces.
I find that sometimes when I feel overwhelmed the
inspiration just won't come to me. Then I just stop
and let things flow. I stop concentrating and working
so hard at it. Then .... it happens.
Very insightful. Thank you, Judi! Nonnie
Judi, great post. I've certainly felt that way myself! Thank you for including my fairy!
Enjoyed this, thanks for including my print in this lovely post.
Great post, Judi, and what lovely items to illustrate! My muse has been on vacation for a while. I just need to get in the studio and play with clay. :)
My muse fills my head with more things than would be able to do in one life time! Sometimes I wish she would go away and let me catch up!
Great post, Judi and right in time when I am trying to find my creative focus :)))
Love your post Judi! Thanks for including my buttons. :) Dena
Judi, I'm right behind you on ways to get inspired! Great post, keep up the good work!
What a lovely and thoughtful post. And isn't it true how difficult it is to think about making Christmas items now when it is so hot!! Thanks for inspiring all of us.
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