Always Be Inspired

I am often surprised at where inspiration comes from and what that inspiration leads to. The well we draw from is in constant need of filling, not because it will ever be empty, but because every day brings us something new – good, bad or something in between. I am grateful for all the offerings as they contribute to new ways for me to see things and new perspectives from which to create my own work. In this blog I will share a few of those offerings that came to me before, during and after my recent “Beat the Heat” indoor workshop with a talented and inspiring group of ladies.

Setting a table of flowers

FEEDING THE WELL

We all find our inspiration in different ways and in different places. As creative people, it’s important that we take time to view art – art in our own genre as well as those outside. For me, that means exploring and learning about the work of other photographers as well as the work of other artists such as painters of different styles and periods. Visiting art museums and exhibits is one of the ways that I do that. Digging around used book stores for great finds in the art world at good prices is another. Visiting beautiful gardens and places also provide fill for the well.

In addition, I make it a regular practice to go “vintique-ing,” meaning that I love finding and collecting vintage (old) objects from the past in vintage, thrift and antique stores. Many of the objects I find remind me of my own childhood, that of my parents and grandparents and beyond. Things from the past, from slower and different times, inspire me. Art inspires me. A continual feeding of these types of things not only adds to my collection of things, but also adds to my collection of ideas for photographing.

For my Beat the Heat (and Cold) workshops, of course, I include flowers, but I also bring in some of my rather large collection of old things to be used in creating visual stories. I challenge myself and my groups to play and make up their own stories. I encourage them to step out of their comfort zones and away from the “shoulds.” I encourage them to follow their own instincts. In doing so, they, too, are feeding their own inspiration wells.

Subtle Reminder of the Dutch Florals

WATCHING AND WAITING

Setting up for the indoor workshop takes a good amount of time. The photo opportunities are varied – high key, low key, lightboxes, still life, flat lays, floral abstracts and textured glass among them. Watching these particular ladies work their creative magic with the flowers and all my “stuff” was exciting and inspiring. To be honest, I ached to join them, but it wasn’t my time. I was there to be a guide, a teacher and an encourager. That said, at the end of each day, when everyone was gone, I did my own playing. It made me want to do more, and I did. Making and taking time to explore is important. We learn, we discover new things, and often we surprise ourselves. In my end-of-day time, I was able to create new images with my “old stuff” and come up with more ideas for future sessions with myself. If you could have seen what wonderful work was made by my ladies in those few days, you would have been inspired and excited, too.

Playing with blocks and blooms and black

Just a petal on white

THE “ELSA” MOMENT

Perhaps a moment that stands out most for me came from one of the ladies toward the end of the second day. She had been struggling with “edges” and “glow” and focus with one of her Lensbabies for a good amount of time. While it is important to get a handle on things like this, it can be overwhelming and even oppressive and creativity squashing. Sometimes, we all need to step back and let go of the struggle for a while. We need to let go so we can find an embrace what makes us happy. This is exactly what happened. My friend and client found her mojo when she let go and just started shooting and moving through some iris in a more abstract manner – edges be gone. Her expression was priceless in that “aha” or rather “Elsa” moment. She loved what she was getting and felt free to create. We all loved seeing that moment, and “let it go” became an anthem for the rest of the days.

My “Elsa” moment with the iris

THROUGH THE GLASS

A few days after the workshop, when all but a few things were packed away in storage, I took the leftover flowers and one piece of textured glass and held my own “let it go” session. I used my Lensbaby Velvet 56 and macro filters and went to town with no plan or focused ideas in mind other than to be open to whatever happened through the viewfinder. The textured glass is about 14” square. I sat outside and held it in place with two plamps. I spent a few hours over two days with that setup. My heart lives in the abstract of curves and color, so the glass was a wonderful means to open up exploration.

I saw Georgia O’Keefe, Vincent Van Gogh, and even a hint of Mark Rothko in the images created during that time. I didn’t intend to see them. They came to mind because of my visits to the art museums and book stores. I wasn’t trying to emulate their work. A hint of them came through because they were already in my mind. What a wonderful reminder for me to keep feeding the well of inspiration! (Time for more museum adventures.)

Reminiscent of O’Keeffe colors and curves

FINAL THOUGHTS

In case you’re wondering, you don’t need a large space or even a lot of gear or stuff to let your imagination run away with you in creating your own art. I often work in a small area on my back patio or in my office when I am home to work flowers, still life or abstracts. I’ve figured out over time that I don’t need a lot of space outdoors either. In gardens, the big picture often eludes my noticing as I am drawn to the smaller, intimate landscapes and the colors and shapes of individual flowers. The shallow depth of field and selective focus often leads my images unless a subject demands otherwise. What doesn’t lead my work is what other people think about it. I create images for me first. I follow my own heart and vision and often consciously shut out the judges (internal and external) once I get going.

As with any art, my images either resonate and make a connection or they don’t. Even if they don’t, my hope is that how I see and portray things in my world instigate consideration in the same way that certain artwork does for me. We don’t always “get” the point of a piece of art, but we can appreciate the effort and understand that the works are reflections of the artists. For my friend and client, for you, and for me, I wish us all a dose of those freedom-bearing “Elsa moments” that allow us to “let it go” and create the art that makes us happy. Let whatever follows those moments be whatever they are. Enjoy the process and always be inspired.

The world is but a canvas to our imagination.

– Henry David Thoreau

Fern and Glass

Leftovers and Glass

Petal Fairy in Glass

Petal Ripples in Glass

Ranunculus Abstract

Whisper of Baby’s Breath in Glass