An early morning walk, a late afternoon drive or a vision from the past – all add inspiration to the creative process of the visual artist.
For some, light can be the driving force for their inspiration. Filtering through the trees, reflecting off different surfaces or casting shadows across our path, light is what defines shapes in our world.
We are also inspired by the people who have set their standards high and achieved their goals. Our own goals are usually only reached through constant exposure to these people and their work and many years of experimentation, practice, patience and honing of our skills.
One subject may be approached in many different ways by different artists. It may even be tackled differently from year to year by the same artist. This could be due to the evolving style of the artist or just the urge to move from the expected to the surprising.
What inspires the creative artist to move forward is a drive to achieve that image that they possess in their mind but rarely see in the finished canvas.
Visual artists are usually their own major critic. Not only do they have to deal with their own high expectations but at the end of the day, their work is displayed for all to view, comment upon or dismiss. Some would say that if someone notices then perhaps they have achieved.
Inspiration alone may not be enough to motivate the artist to create. Motivation presents itself in many different forms and can be singular or, as in most cases, multi faceted. It could be that the artist creates to leave their mark on this world or to receive the praise of others or, in more practical terms, to put food on the table. Whatever the motivation, the self-satisfaction of creating is one of life’s true pleasures.
Inspiration abounds around us. Direction and encouragement, in a creative sense, can be the catalyst to bring out the artist in all those who wish to achieve some of their life’s goals through the arts.
No comments:
Post a Comment