What Inspires Me?

Recently, I have been getting a similar question over and over, namely, what inspires me?  The idea of inspiration can for some take on a mystical quality and at some level I suppose it does for me as well, especially of when I think of the times when I know I am experiencing inspiration in the moment.  Unfortunately, I'm not aware it occurring often.  The frequency is increasing however, which is definitely a good thing.

A month ago, I was sitting in a Starbucks that I go to in my neighborhood when I feel the need to be around people.  I was sitting in a chair that I have sat countless times over the past 13 years I've lived in the neighborhood.  On the wall hung the typical Starbuck mass produced coffee themed art.  Something caught my eye and I stared.  First, I found it odd that I was staring at a picture I didn't particularly liked and I had seen many times over the years but something was different.  I then noticed that I was studying it intently, the color, forms and shapes, the feeling.  I took a quick picture with my cell phone and went back to my work.  Periodically, I would look back up at it.

I decided that I had to create my version of what I saw when I returned to my studio the next day.

A few weeks later, I was again at the same Starbucks and there was the picture that inspired me.  But it appeared different to me.  The colors and feeling were different compared to the last time I was there.  Thinking I may have lost my mind, I looked at the photo I took and it matched up with what I was seeing, not what I had saw.  That was when I realized that I had a moment of inspiration.  I saw something interesting, something different, than I had seen before.  Since then, I have had that experience a few more times and fortunately I am learning to pay attention to those moments. 

So, when people ask what inspires me, the answer is everything.  I don't know where it will come from or when but it often is something common and often overlooked.  I just get a chance to see it in a different way than before and that seems to be enough to trigger something in me to go with it.

On a side note, the paintings that came from my Starbucks experience do not look like the painting in Starbucks.  They are however some of the best work I have done to date.  Photos will be available shortly.  I'm in the process of having these developed as prints.

"Faces"

"Faces"

30"w x 40"h

Resin on Canvas

Doodle 1

"Doodle 1"

24"w x 18"h

Resin on Canvas

"Whole"

"Whole"

36"w x 36"h

Resin on Canvas

Close up of "Whole"

"Home"

"Home"

36"w x 36"h

Resin on Canvas

Close up view of "Home"

"Horizon"

"Horizon"

18"w x 24"h

Resin on Canvas

"Reach"

"Reach"

24"w x 18"h

Resin on Canvas

Where to Begin?

Has anyone ever told you to do something that you really had no clue how to do it or where to begin? I know I have. But somehow I always found a way. Maybe not the best way but the project always got done good enough. I feel like this often when creating too. Here is an example. I was asked to submit a piece to the GLAAD OutAuctionNYC in New York. The auction is in November. I had submitted and was accepted before with a piece I just happen to have on hand that fit that year's theme. This year however, I will have to create a piece from scratch.

At first I deleted the email since I didn't want the hassle of creating something special. Then the other night I was thinking about this, my stomach churned and the acid reflux began. This auction pressed a button. I dug out the email and read it again. I still have time to create something special just for this event to match its theme. I was getting excited by the idea of it. But, I had NO idea of what to do. So, I repeated the theme of the auction (btw, it is "In/Out") in my head a few times and went to bed. I woke up the next morning with nothing.

All through the day I began to notice the theme of in/out here and there and all the different ways it can or may apply. The potential is limitless. So there went my acid reflux again. It is limitless. Again, what to do? Where to begin? This is even bigger than I first thought. Before I went to bed last night, I commited to submitted a piece to the auction. I repeated the theme again and off to sleep I went.

This morning I still had no ideas! The frustration was mounting. As I began my creative portion of the day, I found myself looking for distractions. I had no ideas, no approach so I didn't want to start. I refocused and began by finishing up a piece I started a few weeks back. Now I had some momentum. Then I got out the blank canvas. A blank canvas, a blank piece of paper, a blank anything is intimidating. Fortunately, it isn't overwhelming. I told myself that I wasn't going to finish it today and in fact, I have two weeks to complete the painting. That is more than enough time even if I have some setbacks. So all I had to do today was to commit to begin. Not to paint for a certain period of time nor applied so many brush stroke or heaven forbid, finish it. Given the medium I selected, resin, and a layered approach, it is physically impossible to finish in one day. That was my out! It all fell into place. I can't finish it today so I don't have to try to do so. I just had to start. So I did!


Here it is! It took me 20 minutes to develop the first layer. As for the second layer, well, I have no clue. That is something for me to tackle tomorrow.