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Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
In the New Studio!
This is my first blog since moving into my new art studio. So far it has been adventure and I'm looking forward to the next twist and turns. To start, days before the move, I became anxious and nervous. Change can be challenging, especially big change. I saw moving into the studio a big change. Fortunately, the space wasn't ready as scheduled and the move was delayed 2 days. That gave me some time to breath, relax, and regroup. Come Monday morning, I was ready and eager to go.
When I got to the building, the building management and maintenance crew helped me unload the first car load. 15 minutes, boom, I was in. Oops! No electricity in the space yet. They building staff was working on it and I really didn't care since I was just moving in. I didn't plan on painting at all.
I drove home, picked up lunch and another load to stuff. The afternoon unload I had to do alone, which I had planned. The elevator was out of service however, something I had not planned. So, I carried everything up 5 flights of stairs. And I continued to do that for the remainder of the week. Great exercise! I didn't have to go to the gym. That was the best time saver.
Slowly, as the week progressed, the studio began to take shape. By Wednesday I started painting again. It felt good (I was still in the dark but the sun was shining and I worked by the window). Did I mention there is a huge window in the space?
I am now in week 2 of the studio. The experience so far has been and continues to be incredible. I now have electricity and lights. I am painting longer and longer each day and now I'm to the point I have to tell myself to stop and go home. I have also noticed a shift in my style. It appears to be loosening up and becoming a bit more experimental.
All in all, I am very happy I decided to get a dedicated space for creating art work. This will be a great learning experience.
2150 S. Canalport Ave., 5C-3, Chicago, IL 60608 (That is in the Pilsen neighborhood just west of Halsted)
When I got to the building, the building management and maintenance crew helped me unload the first car load. 15 minutes, boom, I was in. Oops! No electricity in the space yet. They building staff was working on it and I really didn't care since I was just moving in. I didn't plan on painting at all.
I drove home, picked up lunch and another load to stuff. The afternoon unload I had to do alone, which I had planned. The elevator was out of service however, something I had not planned. So, I carried everything up 5 flights of stairs. And I continued to do that for the remainder of the week. Great exercise! I didn't have to go to the gym. That was the best time saver.
Slowly, as the week progressed, the studio began to take shape. By Wednesday I started painting again. It felt good (I was still in the dark but the sun was shining and I worked by the window). Did I mention there is a huge window in the space?
I am now in week 2 of the studio. The experience so far has been and continues to be incredible. I now have electricity and lights. I am painting longer and longer each day and now I'm to the point I have to tell myself to stop and go home. I have also noticed a shift in my style. It appears to be loosening up and becoming a bit more experimental.
All in all, I am very happy I decided to get a dedicated space for creating art work. This will be a great learning experience.
2150 S. Canalport Ave., 5C-3, Chicago, IL 60608 (That is in the Pilsen neighborhood just west of Halsted)
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