Finding Your Inspiration in the Matters of the Heart

Finding Your Inspiration 

Our inspiration comes from the wellspring 
of our most inner self

The way to find our inspiration is to listen to the small still voice within and to sketch, sketch, and sketch. Enjoy a quiet time of reflection often. Most of all take time for your family and friends.

Sometimes, we can feel an inspiration coming on, and other times, it just seems to happen, or sometimes, there is nothing. Artists at times can experience a creative block. First, we should recognize that this is part of the struggle of being a creative person. Secondly, know that inspiration will come and go and return at the right time, so you need to be ready for it.

For inspiration, look at the work of Old Masters and the Impressionist masters. Add to your mix noted contemporary photographers, or view the classical movies that have won awards for cinematography as well as other disciplines, such as the theater arts.

Simple ways to spark the flame of inspiration:

✓     Keep an artist journal by your bedside

✓     Have plenty of sketch pads about

✓     Play beautiful music

✓     Take a walk in nature

✓     Display reproductions of the masters

✓     Place an inspiration board filled with meaningful things

✓     Create a display area for your finished artworks

Also, apply practical studio habits to create an environment to help such as maintaining proper ventilation, good lighting, and enough storage to keep a clear clean space.

I tell my students the most important tool in the studio is an easy chair and to allow time for joy to take hold.

Matters of the Heart

To be in charge of your moment; Surrender pride; Let your joy abide

I’m not referring to that muscular organ in our chest that pumps our life’s blood. Instead, I’m talking about the center of our emotional life and spiritual life where the most ardent creative ideas are born and live. It is within our heart that the fount of our essential character lies.

It’s commonly understood that one’s creative process must start from the heart. For the creative process to move forward for one’s artistic fulfillment to be actualized rationality is necessary.  Both heart and head are needed. Each artist must balance their craft with the poetry of the heart taking the lead; for the matters of the heart must take precedence.

I believe when one is a child, the heart takes center stage; when one reaches adulthood, logic ignites ideas about ideas takes center stage. In adulthood one tends to feature the practical side of artistic expression; and in more elder years reflections from the heart ensue again. Keep your creative side child-like and young, while seeking the wisdom of the elders, no matter what your age is at the time.