I think we all sit around sometimes and just wait for this spontaneous thing that we call "inspiration" to just happen. We wait for the clouds to part, for a chorus to burst out into song, and an idea from heaven to drop out of the sky. A sudden brilliant idea? Come on.
Lately I wake up, and I'm tired. All day. Every day. Maybe its because work, and school, and homework, and other responsibilities will do that to you. Maybe its because I drink too much coffee and not enough water. Maybe it's because I don't go to bed early enough (ever). Maybe my body is just starting to feel the affects of aging (although this may be a little melodramatic considering the fact that I'm still in my early 20's). Either way, I'm an artist…but I am so unbelievably uninspired. I am burning in the sun in the middle of the desert with no water.
I never used to have this problem. But I think I just let myself get way too caught up in everyday circumstances. When I was younger, my sister and I used to share a room. Once the lights were out, we would lay upside down, dangling off the sides of our beds, slightly suspended in mid air. We would imagine a world underwater and what it would feel like to be a mermaid swimming with dolphins. I miss this. And while I probably won't go back to this moment, it's something to keep in mind. Maybe inspiration can come just by immersing ourselves in the presence of children. Why? Because their everyday truth is sometimes just as real and valid as their imaginations. They are endlessly inspired, because they let their mind push the limits and boundaries of reality.
Over this past year I've had the opportunity of spending a lot of time playing with kids, laughing with them, teaching them art, and hearing their stories. I realized that being around kids making art or experiencing it for the first time, reminded me why I love it so much.
The images you see are pictures I took from an assortment of memories: King St. Block Party in Worcester, teaching art classes in India (Click for more pictures...I ultimately failed at documenting my full month in India…but you can still read about the first week!), StART on the Street in Worcester, and Main IDEA camp in Worcester (taken by Worcester Mag).
Lately I wake up, and I'm tired. All day. Every day. Maybe its because work, and school, and homework, and other responsibilities will do that to you. Maybe its because I drink too much coffee and not enough water. Maybe it's because I don't go to bed early enough (ever). Maybe my body is just starting to feel the affects of aging (although this may be a little melodramatic considering the fact that I'm still in my early 20's). Either way, I'm an artist…but I am so unbelievably uninspired. I am burning in the sun in the middle of the desert with no water.
I never used to have this problem. But I think I just let myself get way too caught up in everyday circumstances. When I was younger, my sister and I used to share a room. Once the lights were out, we would lay upside down, dangling off the sides of our beds, slightly suspended in mid air. We would imagine a world underwater and what it would feel like to be a mermaid swimming with dolphins. I miss this. And while I probably won't go back to this moment, it's something to keep in mind. Maybe inspiration can come just by immersing ourselves in the presence of children. Why? Because their everyday truth is sometimes just as real and valid as their imaginations. They are endlessly inspired, because they let their mind push the limits and boundaries of reality.
Over this past year I've had the opportunity of spending a lot of time playing with kids, laughing with them, teaching them art, and hearing their stories. I realized that being around kids making art or experiencing it for the first time, reminded me why I love it so much.
The images you see are pictures I took from an assortment of memories: King St. Block Party in Worcester, teaching art classes in India (Click for more pictures...I ultimately failed at documenting my full month in India…but you can still read about the first week!), StART on the Street in Worcester, and Main IDEA camp in Worcester (taken by Worcester Mag).
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are so interesting and so colorful! I love the action shots of the young children that you posted. It really brings a connection to the blog's readers.
From one artist to another: keep on pushing the limits and sometimes a creative drought is exactly the motivation we need to go out to seek inspiration like you have done in spending time with the youth!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really love those pictures, and the faces with big smiles. Since I took some photography class in undergraduate school, I am very interested in how you take these pictures. The color, the composition and light are good. I am looking forward more beautiful pictures on your blog! ^_^
This is so true! children help inspire creativity within. I too look to them for inspiration when I'm feeling artistically dry. I think it's natural to have time when you're not inspired, though also frustrating and it can sometimes create doubts over whether you really are an artist. I think it's important to know other artists feel the same way-- realizing this is one of the key ways I overcome the negative feelings associated with lack of creative juice. And once I start creating again and the juices flow, it's as if its been boiling inside me so long that i come up with better things than before! don't lose hope, the creativity will come. You are an artist and it is naturally inside you.
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