Musings on Inspiration

The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions is one of several definitions cited for the word inspiration. Other definitions include:

an inspiring agent or influence; and

the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.

Without inspiration, my work can easily become unnecessarily cumbersome and unfocused. I do not feel I am able to produce good work without it.

Introduction to Inspiration

My introduction to the notion of inspiration being the underpinnings of an idea became tangible during my undergraduate years of design. In studio (our hands-on design lab), professors were always asking of us, “what is your concept? what is your big idea?” It did not take long for me to realize that having a concept or inspiration (I will use these words interchangeably) made it easier for me to communicate design intentions and to follow a clear and methodical process throughout any project. It gave the project a depth it would not have otherwise had.

Whether it be fine art, music, literature, or cinema – inspiration allows one to enter into the space of the creator and become invested in their unique and personal interpretation of their subject.

Identifying a source of inspiration early in the creative process allows one to stay ‘on track’. The source can be as simple as being inspired by a character from a piece of literature or as complex as developing a set of rules to catalogue the various ways rhythm in used in space. Regardless of the origin or how it comes about, having a source from which all work emanates encourages a cohesiveness in a body of work. The task, then, of taking an idea through its paces while allowing it to unfold is the mental exercise of establishing a thorough concept.

Inspiration Into Practice

My very first art collection, Resilient Landscapes, was released in the summer of 2020. The inspiration for this collection came from a personal desire to respond to our world at that moment in time. With all of the disruptions that were happening across our shared landscapes, I wanted to encourage an internal position of grace and resilience throughout the collection. The scripture, Isaiah 43:19, served as the origin point for my inspiration – which promises to make a way in the wilderness.

Oftentimes a personal interest or experience can be a comfortable starting point for developing a strong concept/inspiration due to the intimacy one will have with it. In these scenarios, moving the concept/inspiration through the creative process is as much exploratory as it is practical. In the case of my very first art collection, my strong desire to respond to uncertain times as well as my love for scripture made the process of creating effortless – an enjoyable and effortless flow.

Once a concept or inspiration is established, it becomes easier to move forward incorporating it with creative work. Much like the ingredients in a recipe, all that goes into a mixing ‘bowl’ is intended to support the success of that recipe. If something foreign is added, the recipe is somehow ‘off’ – it may not always be known what that foreign element is, but the overall idea somehow becomes a little less cohesive. Through practice, I have learned to evaluate my work (as best as one can) in concert with rules I’ve set up specific to my inspiration.

Translating Inspiration

With the example of my ‘Resilient Landscapes’ collection, it was important for me to think through how to visibly communicate my feelings with paint and watercolor paper. How do you communicate ‘grace’ and ‘resilience’?

It would have been naive to think that I could paint “grace” or “resilience”. These are intangible ideas that have no physical image.

Enter art.

The amazing thing about art is that it has the ability to communicate what words can not. While I can paint neither ‘grace’ nor ‘resilience’, relying on intuition to guide and shape that specific question becomes the necessary transition in making an intangible inspiration a tangible and physical work. In the space of forming a visible language much practice must take place. My developing a clear, strong idea expressed in the spirit of grace and resilience resulted in a collection of intentionally ambiguous landscape moments with parallel color palettes.

Understated Magic

In most creative endeavors, I feel it is difficult to develop a work of substance without an inspired spark. Coming from an architectural background, our projects were rooted in a charge to create clear and compelling proposals. Without including that thing that quickens the heart, an otherwise good work might not be viewed beyond a surface level.

At its best, inspiration bestows a powerful presence to any creative work that in turn resonates with those directly engaged with the work.

May inspiration be the subtle, understated magic that elevates a work from simply existing to a well-thought-out and thoroughly cohesive effort!