INSPIRATION: ANOTHER NEW WORLD BY THE PUNCH BROTHERS

I can't stop listening to this song. It's haunting, beautiful, and creates so much imagery as it progresses.

INSPIRTATION: STARLA MICHELLE.

Artwork by Starla Michelle

Sometimes artwork finds you and it hits you like an arrow to the heart. A ran across one of Starla Michelle's prints one day at work and was gobsmacked by her amazing colors, her brushstrokes, her whimsy. Truth be told, I have not touched my brushes in eons, but she helped me break out my oil colors once more. I think she may be my new favorite artist.

INSPIRATION: LEILANI JOY

"Odette & Odile" Acrylic and Collage on Woods, 2010 by Leilani Joy

Sometimes inspiration comes at unexpected times by unexpected people. Lately, I've been uninspired, especially when it comes to painting. I have had little desire to paint and the one time that I sat down to work on a piece, it was difficult, underwhelming, and just...not right. And I didn't have enough energy to try and make it better. Since then, I've pulled out my Prismacolors and began doing some light sketching and drawing. Then when I went on my first vacation in OVER A YEAR, I bought a couple of art magazines to help illicit even more inspiration - though more from that later.

I ran into Leilani Joy earlier this week on YouTube, randomly clicking her video tutorial on Ramona Flowers. First off, I LOVE Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It's one of my favorite movies, and I love her hair. My Dad even told me one day that my hair reminded him of Ramona Flowers and next to being told that I look like Ariel from the Little Mermaid, that I was one of my favorite compliments ever. I digress.

Anyway, let it be said that I am not an illustrator. Or maybe I am. I think of illustrations as being connected more with media - comic books, video games, cartoons, etc. All of which I love, admire, and have a strong respect. But it's not really my style; however, I'm currently obsessed with Leilani Joy. I've been watching her videos like a mad-woman. She has lots of knowledge regarding technique and her paintings always looks so crisp, clean, and high quality. Any artist can benefit from that kind of information. Plus, she is a full-time artist who sells her work regularly, managing an Etsy shop, alongside making videos of her work. I kind of want to be her.

So, if Leilani Joy ever reads this, thanks for the inspiration.

INSPIRATION: JAREK PUCZEL

"Lovers 1"

"Exam"

"Girl on a Seesaw"

"Lovers 2"

"Lovers 3"

"Romance"

"Redhead 2"

All images from Jarek Puczel's site.

I love this guy's work. The negative space, the colors, the simplicity, the "flatness" of the background and skin tones. I just love it.

INSPIRATION: ELIZABETH GILBERT (TED TALKS)

So, I saw a link to this video on Facebook a few weeks ago. Just so you know, I have read half of Eat, Pray, Love. As in, the Eat portion of the book. Sorry, Ms. Gilbert. I did watch all of this video...actually while eating. Hmm.

Anyway, I really like what Gilbert has to say in this video about artists and about being creative, because I believe that she hits on some points that are particularly true both in individuals and in society. People who desire to make creativity a job (musicians, painters, writers, dancers, etc) are looked at differently than those who choose practical professions.

Duh.

I've lived this. Being poked at for wanting to study English or choosing an Art minor when Engineering or Business is much more practical? Uh huh. What I like about Gilbert's speech is she identified why this difference exists apart from the monetary/"real-world" arguments that are often made. Artists do feel a different weight in their decision to be creative, because what if it doesn't work out? What if you make one really great piece that everyone loves...then what's next? She says creativity has "inherent emotional risk."

Amen, Liz. Amen.

My husband gets to hear the "I'mnotgoodenoughwhydoIevendothis" moments occasionally. I try to limit those pity parties. So, I get the inherent emotion risk bit. We're scared of failing. We're scared of doing something that might not have merit.

"Is it rational, is it logical, that anybody should be expected to be afraid of the work they feel put on this Earth to do?" - Elizabeth Gilbert

Listen, I don't know if I was put on this Earth to paint. In fact, I believe that there are higher callings to what individuals are created to do outside of what you actually choose to do. I'm not saying I was put on this Earth to paint, but by golly, I paint because it's a part of me. Just like red hair, non-stop chatter, and cat obsessiveness, creativity is a part of me. I can feed it or let it wither - I do have a choice on that.

What I love about Gilbert's message in this speech is her solution: having a genius verses being a genius. We think that all of our creative juices must live within us and be a part of us, and when they don't deliver, we think it's because we've failed.

Instead, when you take this idea of "the genius" and let it be outside yourself - you can live and create and be inspired. Gilbert makes a lot of vague spiritual, paranormal, and religious implications with these statements, which I believe the listener can interpret many different ways, depending on his/her own world views. Regardless, I like what she has to say here. It has me thinking, wondering, and inspired to "show up for [my] job" as a painter and let God do the rest. Yes, I will have to still work my butt off to be great at portraiture, but greatness can live outside of me. I just need to try and listen when it whispers.

Watch the video and let me know your thoughts. You may agree, you may disagree.

You may be inspired.

INSPIRATION: DON'T LET DISAPPOINTMENT GET YOU DOWN.

I just saw this video on Pintrest and thought it needed to be shared and also kept for future reference. Keep making art. Keep. Trying.

INSPIRATION: JOURNALING

I love a good journal or sketchbook. I never remember a time in my life where I wasn't tempted to spend my allowance on a beautifully bound block of paper, even if I already had three or four hardly used ones at home. Along with that small obsession came the almost equal weight of not messing one up. I wanted each page in my precious journal to be perfect. No ugly sketches, no torn pages, and absolutely no crossing out/scribbling out words.

It was forbidden.

You can imagine the pressure. To have a journal and have every idea, every word, and every sketch pretty, proper, and put-together? I've recently (and I'm sad to say how recently) decided this way of approaching a journal and drawing in a sketchbook is horrible. Like the worst idea ever. What is a journal supposed to be used for if not ideas? And I don't know about you, but I can't churn out a poem, draw a moving figure, or sometimes complete a coherent thought perfectly in one sitting. I have a little hope that I'm not the only one who thinks like this, because this thought process of perfection scares many people away from the canvas, sewing machine, piano, etc. 

Lately, I've been feeling more liberated. These are pictures of the sketchbook that I keep in my purse at all times. I used to never carry one with me, because I never had room for one. Then I realized it wasn't because I didn't have room for one, but that I didn't make room for one. This little journal/sketchbook has been a wonder since starting this blog, because I have a place to record ideas at a moment's notice, can sketch when I see something interesting, or write down inspiring quotes. And I've given my little notebook the ability, nay...the blessing, to be a mess. Nothing is really in order, though I do put dates down most of the time. Some drawings are good, some pieces of writing have potential (though definitely in a rough, rough state), and I cross through A LOT of words.

My younger self may be cringing, but I'm proud of this collection of rough ideas. This is a place to plan out my creative process rather than forget about things because of hand-sanitizer taking up room in my bag.

INSPIRATION: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND DEGAS.

                   

Seated Dancer by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

In Bed The Kiss by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1892)

Dancer Fastening her Pump, c.1880-85

Edgar Degas

The Star 1876-77

Edgar Degas

Three Ballet Dancers, One with Dark Crimson Waist by Edgar Degas

I like French painters, yes I do. Or at least these two French painters. When I look at their work, I'm taken back to my high school French class, of all things. I remember one of my favorite cultural studies in French had to to with French painters! At that time, I didn't paint and never thought about painting, though I have always appreciated art. I remember even wanting to be an artist when I was little, but never thought I was good enough. More on that on another day, though. Studying art history has always been one of my favorite subjects, though my memory is horrindous. Seriously, you should be happy that I can recall these two guys.

It's that bad.

It's kind of weird looking at artwork when you also make artwork. Ever since I started painting, my entire approach to looking at art is different. When I look at these paintings and sketches, it seems the subject becomes less important. I look at the markings, the brush strokes. I admire the colors, the tight and loose structures interweaving themselves on the canvas. When I go to a museum, I get uncomfortably close to paintings, sometimes more interested in the artist's brushwork than the whole piece. I can just see the security officers eyeing each other nervously, thinking I'm going to rub my nose against the paint.

Rest assured, dear guards. It's dry.

Anyway, one of my personal goals is to become more aquainted with different artists, specifically contemporary artwork and artists. Before you get your figurative underwear in a knot, thinking, "Now Jessica, those guys aren't contemporary. Just sayin'," I know. That's the point. While I love Impressionism and Post-Impressionism something fierce, I want to be more acquainted with artists of my own time. So, dear reader(s), please tell me some of your favorite artists, contemporary or not.

Because I need all the education I can get before freaking out the next round of security guards.