on inspiration...

i'm not a wordy blogger but i've been thinking a lot about inspiration.



it's a dreamy, sometimes intimidating word. lately inspiration doesn't come easy, though i refuse to simply lay down and get caught up in the everyday humdrum;



rise
coffee
walk the dog
rinse
work
walk the dog
Dionysian pleasure
sleep

do you ever find yourself saying:

when does it get easier?

how can i make this work?

i need a vacation



thank God it's Friday



when you feel deflated, broke, disheartened, listless, squeezed and stretched in every direction



how can you take those feelings and use them for inspiration?
it comes in many forms; inspiration is not reserved for artistic pleasure.

humans are inspired when:

they hit a fast grounder past the shortstop

they scream into a pillow

they have a window seat that looks onto street

they make a really good batch of cookies

they are able to touch a flower they grew

they receive a great kiss



i have a continually shifting list of things that i love most. you should make a list too. i think you'll be surprised with what happens as you write.

here's mine:

birds that chirp at night



cold beer after work

antique stores / flea markets / yard sales

Pilot precise V7 rolling ball pen, black

old books

blank journals

blogs

irises*

reading spots



goat cheese

driving at night, aimlessly, listening to music**



IKEA

Samurai Jack

long showers

alpine meadows

Henry howling at the same two songs***

and finally, boogyin'



*also russian sage, rosemary, astillbe and any kind of groundcover
** i do this a lot
*** Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why and The Strange Boys - Heard You Want To Beat Me Up

at my job they're currently showcasing resident artwork. amongst a wealthy history of artists that have come and gone there is one woman in particular, a retired history teacher, who showcased some of her pieces.

an etching of a lion, a red barn hanging over a choppy river, a watercolor of a chickadee; in passing i told her that i loved the barn painting. she told me that she doesn't particularly like her own artwork but she does it just to do it.



art is very profound in that sense.

you don't have to be anybody or anything



you do art for you and if you're lucky you do it for some money.



and... if you're very lucky you inspire people.

so...



do it.



all images via tumblr.