Today's thoughts on inspiration are from Amelia:
It can be a little bit hard to keep track of my inspirations. Hard to remember where I hear and see and notice and absorb the little details that eventually coalesce into whatever creative work I produce. But over the time I've had to think about it and scribble notes all over the back of an old draft of my latest story, I've tied things down into three sections, for now.
Identity:
Creativity springs from a very deep and eternal part of me. It's one of the most natural, easy things. If I might throw in a quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf here:
“...remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God?”
I've inherited a small piece of that divine and infinite creative power. All of us have. It's amazing to think about. And humbling, too.
Collection:
I suffer from an intense idealism. In my head there is a world where nothing goes to waste and everything is perfectly coordinated to look just right. I can't really make everything that way, but I do what I can. I see an old chair frame in the garage and I'm filled with a vision of refurbishing it somehow. I can't bear to get rid of an old pair of pants so I cut them up and sew them into a purse. If there is just one blank side to a sheet of paper, I save it to sketch on. Every useful length of ribbon I come across gets stashed away because I know I'll find some future need for it.
My very clever sister sometimes calls this 'rescuing' the tossed-aside, forgotten things we find. It all starts with paying attention to those things and making room in your life to care about them. (Of course, there is a dark side to this collecting. Your closets can get crammed full of junk. There's a balance.)
Possibility:
When Gina gave us this theme to focus on, I first thought about problems. Gisele already mentioned that necessity is the mother of invention. I find that very true. Having a problem to solve or a need to fill can be my greatest inspiration. Usually the problems aren't large or vitally important. Often the needs aren't really specific.
There are times I look at something and a vision of what it could be with a little work and creativity simply pops into my head. I go from there, learning what I need to in the process.
There are a lot of other little things that inspire me. Stories. Nature. I'm really into textures. A little bit of good, rushing classical music can push me into the clouds. But I think before I ever really get doing anything about all those ideas, I need a just-right mix of stuff lying around and a few brief visions of the possibilities.
One of my favorite things about this week is finding so much common ground, while at the same time appreciating the unique vision of each of my guests. Thank you, Amelia.
I "suffer from intense idealism", too! What a perfect way to say that.
I have a whole box of little bits of ribbon!
Posted by: gisele hardock | Jun 17, 2010 at 12:35 PM