 |
Greetings!
I feel INSPIRED! I feel like I could literally CREATE ANYTHING! I could create an ENTIRE PLANET! I am SOOOOOO UNMOTIVATED THOUGH!
I want to shake my brain and tell it to get off the internet, quit my job, pack up the essentials (watercolors, brushes, pencils, markers, paper, etc.) and live in the woods for a month or two. When I finally arrive home, ragged and dirty (my hair would be ten feet long), I will have created the ABSOLUTE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. What is it? I don't know. The problem is, I have stuff I'm responsible for. Rent, bills, awesome new chore system... So I'm stuck here at home trying to motivate myself by looking at tumblr, and reading about different kinds of plants or bees or diseases or looking at pictures of protests.
I've noticed that the longer I am on tumblr with the intention of "getting inspired", I usually end up "generally pretty inspired". The problems I face after that are usually the ones keeping me from doing The Thing. The Thing is a potential masterpiece that will continue to always be unfinished.
What is preventing me from making The Thing?
1. My doubt in my own ability.
2. Other completely unaware artists that I have placed on a pedestal.
3. I don't have the money for resin.
4. I cant find small wooden hearts to paint on amazon.
5. I don't have bus money to go to the woods and do observational drawing.
6. I am cozy here with this blanket.
7. I want a nap.
8. I know where to get pin backs for crafts but it's 12:30am and I have work in the morning.
9. I am eating a thing right now.
10. I don't want to put this out there because it is not as good as this other thing.
11. Even if I made The Thing, nobody would buy it off my Etsy.
12. I am terrified of / don't exactly understand Etsy and shipping.
13. I don't own little gems to glue onto things already and I don't feel like buying them.
So MAYBE writing this blog post is a way to vent about being creative while simultaneously unmotivated, but MAYBE! It's also about the people who always inspire me to actually doodle the thing, or to clean my work space, or who remind me that someday it will turn out okay, and maybe I'll drop out of art school some day, or maybe I'll graduate. Someday I'll have vintage toys in my house and my studio will be well lit, or minimalist, or covered in pictures of Jesus or something.
Here are some people who I have found inspiring:
~~~
Simplify, keep creating no matter what, use EVERY medium and to put eyes on basically everything. You can sell it. Her work space is incredibly inspiring as well. Since her simplest designs are made into beautiful pendants and stickers, I am always wishing to do the same thing with some of my art. I am not limited to a piece of paper and a pen, either.
~~~
I have been a huuuge fan of Carly's work since I was 11 years old, and I have even told her that several times. She has always been my biggest inspiration, and reminds me that artists are still humans, and progress is inevitable if you continue making art no matter what. There is a balance between realism and Magic, and someday I want to find that balance.
Also, ANATOMY ANATOMY ANATOMY.
~~~
Ivy Atoms is actually one of my most recent inspirations. I became aware of Ivy through our mutual friend, Danielle (we all met at a Cibo Matto show! how cuuute). She teaches me that THE STRUGGLE IS REAL and Networking is as important as making art. Ivy has personally convinced me to make a zine, and has planted a small but determined seed in my brain to make a career out of my art. Also, it's never a bad idea to get a little sexual. Or to put some kitten ears and fuzz on an OC.
~~~
Sera Stanton has helped me to understand a bit about networking and making sellable art. She teaches me that acrylics are my friend, and that every color counts. Her art always makes me want to get on amazon and buy a figurine, and that I should probably watch more anime. I really love her and Ivy together, as well. Both Ivy and Sera are strong women, embracing a magical feminist power that I really love and admire. Their courage and ambition is just... hnng. I want that someday.
Danielle Simone Harrison is actually a personal friend of mine. I text her sometimes about how I'm stuck and how I need prompts and everything is bad and how much I hate my art. She reminds me how even on the worst days work can still get done. She inspires me every day to go to art school, to do it, even if it's horrible. Art is important, and always worth making.
There are a few others who I don't know very much about but admire anyway. I am constantly taking in their work on my dash, and it's always a pleasure to see them making new stuff.
This is obviously not everybody, but some of them I'm always trying to channel.
And that's all for now. Thanks for reading!
Question time:
Who are some of your biggest inspirations? Why?
XOXO
Wet - "You're The Best"
