The Art of Life
Photobucket I'm so glad you're here! "The Art of Life" is where I share my journey as an artist & Momma. It's a place where I hope to encourage other women that they are artists too. In this small little space I seek to share, document, and be reminded of God's wonderful grace, all around us. ....And I would be so happy to have you journey alongside me! So grab a cup of coffee and linger for a while. I hope you leave feeling refreshed. Photobucket

Monday, July 2, 2007

Inspiration


Jen Wilson Squiggle Fleurs found here

~~I have been thinking about inspiration lately. As Mothers, there are a lot of never-ending tasks that we do every day; washing dishes, folding laundry, cooking, cleaning messes. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the hum-drum of routine that we forget to be inspired. Yes. I think inspiration is something that we have to choose, especially as Mothers.
~~I've been working through the Artist's Way again and Julia Cameron talks about the importance of artist's dates. She says that it's important to "fill the cup." As busy Moms we don't always have the luxury of getting out for an afternoon on our own, but I think there are ways that we can find inspiration in our every day.
**Music: I love beautiful music. Music can lift our spirits and help take our minds off of our worries. Music can make those boring but necessary tasks go by quicker.
One of the best concerts I've ever been to was Josh Groban. My husband bought me the tickets when I was pregnant with my second daughter. I almost fell over when I saw the concert date: right around my due date. Nevertheless, I was there at the concert with my 6 day old baby girl, wrapped in a blanket. She slept through the entire thing and I was so inspired by true artistic talent.
This song was truly amazing performed live. (Very ironically it is called "Remember When it Rained!)

**Artwork: My husband and I hardly get to go out on a date. But when we do, we usually have a nice dinner and then go to the bookstore. (I know. We're nerds!) We find a nice comfy couch and read together; he with his triathlon magazines and me with Art of the West. Just looking through all the beautiful artwork is so inspiring to me. I want to go home and work right away.
I have also been finding some very inspiring artists online. Two amazing artist moms I have just met are Valaine and Cathy Nichols.
**Nature: One of those never-ending tasks for me is the dishes. It seems like I'm always at my kitchen sink. The view from my windows wasn't originally very inspiring. They look out over a small path straight at the side of our neighbors house. I decided that I needed a better view. There is a tree in between and I hung a birdfeeder from one of the branches. Dustin put a birdbath by the tree. It used to be my Great-Grandmother's and it makes me think of her. He also hung a decorative outdoor thermometer. I found a pretty pot of mixed flowers and sat it by the birdbath. Now when I look out, I can see the birds (or mostly the squirrels) and my little nature garden. Much more inpiring than just the wall.
**Our Children: I know. This one can be hard. When our kids are making messes or throwing tantrums, it can be difficult to be inspired by them! We all have those days, believe me. But I truly believe that our children can teach us a lot about creativity and being inspired. I don't know how many times I have been hurrying my girls out to the car, late for somewhere, and they want to look at the ladybug on the sidewalk. Or the shiny rock. Or the pretty dandelion. As adults we are often just too busy to see the beautiful things around us. Children have a natural curiosity and they love to just have fun. That is something I definitely need to remember sometimes: to just have fun!
~~To tell you the truth, I've been in a bit of a slump with my artwork. I make things too serious. I've been wanting to try some new techniques and I think that I worry too much about the outcome. I need to be more childlike and less afraid.

~~So what about you? I would really like to know. What things inspire you? What do you do when you need to feel inspired?

ETA: I wanted to give a special "Thank You!" to a very sweet Mommy blogger
Melissa at Savoring the Details. She held a RAK drawing and I won! I got a copy of Simple Scrapbooks Album Shortcuts in the mail today. I'm sure it will be packed with inspiration. Thanks again Melissa!

3 comments:

Marie said...

Wow...I'm blown away...I'm so glad that you visited me today or I would have missed a great deal. Your artwork moves me and awes me! You have some great talent. But most of all, I loved your list of things that fill your cup. My husband and I go to the bookstore as well, and it's fun! We even read children's books sometimes (even though our kids are almost grown) because they get right to the heart of the story. I could really relate to your post as a mommy and busy wife. It seems there isn't much time to have "fun" like we want. p.s. Sometime when you are done with Artist's Way, you might venture to Finding Water, Julia's latest book. Leah from Creative Everyday helped run a group who collaborated on-line. It was awesome.
You also reminded me to get back to those Artists dates. Again, thanks for your encouraging words. I feel honored that such a busy mom took the time to inspire a beginning artist. Bless you.

Valaine said...

Wow! I love this post it is very moving and inspiring in itself! I'm usually inspired by things that seem to be problems in my life emotionally and spiritually. I use them to help me search for positive ways to help me grow spiritually and heal emotionally and ultimately let them guide me to helping me become a better person. I am also inspired by music! I love ColdPlay and Jack Johnson, my husband and I got out all our art materials and scattered them all over the kitchen table last night and had an "artist's date" by creating art together. We listened to Jack Johnson's Cd "In Between Dreams". I was so inspired by my husband's child like approach to just letting go and creating whatever he wanted! My children always inspire me and my garden, however humble it may be ^_^ Thank you for sharing your inspirations and your comments!

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

Thank you both, Marie & Valaine, for your great comments.
I really like your idea, Valaine, about actually using problems as inspiration. What a great way to approach them! I'm going to have to think more about that.
:)