Dear artists... (12)

Hi, I've been an illustrating/sketching since I was a kid, and its funny when I was much younger I could motivate myself very well. But, since I am getting older I don't have that energy anymore. However, I do find I can create spurts of creativity now and again.

The things that inspire me is meeting and being around other creative people. A friend of mine joins me to draw in the National Museum from time to time, which is always fun.Visiting galleries is also good inspiration. I can find it very difficult to motivate myself in a vacuum for long periods. However, if I do have to work on my own, I find listening to music and nosing through my art books inspires me. Also the subject matter helps a great deal. For some reason I love drawing birds.

Hi, i'm also struggling with motivation, i've painted on and off for years, but recently have struggled with finishing a painting! Life has intruded and all that, children, grandchildren. However i've just moved house, now on my own after three long years sharing with family..breathe and relax

I mainly paint watercolours but do dabble in oils and acrylics, gouache, interested in mixed media compositions and how to create them oh and an interest in photography and sculpture. I only do it as a hobby, though like yourself have sold a few pieces, not many.

Something really simple can inspire me, that glint of frost on a brick wall in early morning as the sun rises and diamond sparkles of fire and ice catch my eye, or the lines of a well toned muscled body ...or that beautiful light on a winters morning...teasing through the mist in the valley...sunday was a beautiful day, and i was inspired..lol but in a car at the time going through Bath and surrounding areas so couldn't stop.

I think with anything creative you can't force it, unless this is how you make your living, or you are inspired if not compelled to paint/write/sketch/sculpt etc...for me it's when the feeling takes me, that's when i write/paint etc., and the best stuff, which only happens rarely, well that comes from moments of insight or moments when i come back to the world and discover i've created something really quite nice

Regards

x

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. - Mahatma Gandhi "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." - Terry Pratchett.

motivation? ...eating?

some days it's hardly worth chewing through the leather straps

Edited 25 Jan 10, 9:31 PM by shit_sub

Relaxation - the need to concentrate blocks out the rubbish of the day.

Communication - when I need to get accross and idea to somone.

Memory - when I have an idea for a photo they come in a visual image and the only way I can keep them is to sketch.

Gx

Hmmm I wish I knew all the answers to motivation on this one.

I went to Art school but found the only job I could incorporate creativity into in a full time and rewarding way was working in a therapeutic setting with people with Autism and other disabilities, there being some incredible talent which is an inspiration in itself.

My style is mainly modern, Dada and surealism, but there again I adore the Pre-Raphealite movement.

Like others have said music is inspirational, and the artwork of Pink Floyd album covers, and Yes - Roger Dean. Buildings too - I'm in awe of the Sagarda De Familia and most Spanish artists, and French Gothic architecture...and even the graffiti on the Southbank. People and other artists inspire me so travel is wonderful for that from Mexico to Prague. I like to be near water, and have been known to paint on glass, mirrors, bodies and done some batik. I've sold or given away as presents most things Ive done. And I plan to do more now the family are grown up - for me.

Oops, its a passion I get carried away with...

I never eat more than I can lift.

Edited 26 Jan 10, 12:46 AM by Wildmessilina

But overall I tend to be pretty uninspired when it comes to "art", I assume because I'm not a particually artistic person, prefering to edge towards commercial work rather than "art".

It seems I'm not on my own when it comes to motivating myself...

I guess life does tend to get in the way of creativity.

Tally Ho!...

Hello,

Sorry and not wanting to hijack the thread, though this book might inspire everyone it is particularly apt for antimony:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gargoyle-Andrew-Davidson...

I thoroughly enjoyed it, a multifaceted tale with sculpture, book illumination, gay vikings, japanese marriage culture, drug addiction, the porn industry and a very serious burns victim at it's core, what more do you want!

As for my art, photographic artist, not so much commercial work, I find that a concept or idea tends to drive me, so once I get out making images it tends to trickle along nicely...you have to pick up your tools!

Enjoy,

turn x

Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts. Walker Evans

Hi,The best advice I was given by art tutors to overcome procrastination and fear, was just to get started. The first mark on canvas or words on paper are the most difficult and once you have started, something else takes over.

Putting up images of what inspires you might help and also to see what you are doing as play and pleasure for yourself, not to worry about end results or what others might think.

The famous Goethe quote below sums it up:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

I couldn't tell you what inspires me to paint, what ever it is is doesn't happen very often. I just suddenly feel a need to get some paint onto a canvas. I think I did 6 paintings in 2009 and while a couple made it onto my walls the rest are stuck in the cellar having failed to live up to my expectations.

Motivation is easy enough as long as I want to paint I can always find the time. I tend to spend a long time trying to get the image right in my head before getting it down on canvas. I think this is why I'm not always happy with the result, I get a 'perfect' picture of what I want in my head and cannot always get it down on canvas.

I like to say that I paint for myself, if I like it then it's good enough, but if I'm been honest I do get a thrill from other people liking my stuff.

DH

I think I'm going down with Stockholm syndrome . . . . . handsome.