Inspiration

I’m often asked what inspires me.  It’s not something I think about very often.  I think most people have a romanticized view of what artists do.  When someone asks this question, I usually answer by talking about where ideas come from.  There are several sources of ideas (inspiration):  1).  From ordinary experiences.  2).  From our feelings and imagination.  3).  From direct observation.  4).  From artistic expression in some other media, e.g., music, literature, movement, etc.  5).  From other people’s art.  6).  From ideas voiced by other people, perhaps in some other culture.  7).  From the work itself.

I sometimes say that inspiration is for sissies.  I don’t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike.  If I did, I’d never get anything done.  I get up each day and go to work.  I tell young artists that when you don’t know what to do, do anything.  Do something. Trust the creative process to generate ideas.  I usually have two or three creations in progress.  I like to work in series; e.g., creating numerous pieces in the same general theme.  For example, I have completed about 25 portraits of men with facial hair.  I call this series “Whiskers.”    When I don’t know what to do next, I’ll set up a still-life or head out of doors and do some plain air landscape painting or pull out my sketch book and begin doodling or look at some of my old work.   I’m always enrolled in an art class at a nearby university.  Being around young, college age art students is fun and exciting.  I like working with them and often find that in helping them solve a problem, my mind sometimes will be turned in a new direction.