Wonderful post and really inspiring. I have started to buy more artist books for reference and aiding me in my creative progression. I agree it is so much nicer than scrolling through Instagram!
Turning the page and seeing a new delight - something very special about books, indeed. Only that with my getting-older eyesight I wouldn’t mind being able to pinch and expand the images to see all the details sometimes! 😂
I love art books too. I bought a book on Joan Eardley (A Sense of Place) and one on Barbara Rae (The Lammermuirs). I am going through an abstract phase - LOL.
If you're making a living from your art, there's loads that has to be done besides painting or drawing, so days where you don't really feel like creating can be helpful keeping that side of your business sorted.
Oh yes, it is a whole different kettle of fish for those of us making a living from our art - sometimes we have to show up uninspired (though thankfully, for me anyway, just making a start even when it feels uncomfortable, can lead to finding the flow and inspiration I need). But you are also right - it is a good time to get some of the MAMMOTH amount of stuff in our business that is not actually making art! Thanks so much for sharing your insight!
Natalie, I found your entire post inspirational. The tips you give for finding inspiration as an artist are really spot-on. I love what you said about art: it "is the practice and process that you value more than the outcome." I wholeheartedly agree. It's all about the process.
I strongly believe that doing the work, even if uninspired, will lead to inspiration. There are days I don't want to show up at the canvas, but I do so anyway and find that this ignites inspiration. I discuss this in my post, Where's My Muse? at https://bethlgainer.substack.com/p/wheres-my-muse
Thank you for such an insightful post. Here's to more art practices and processes rather than the outcome!
Thank you Beth, I am so appreciative of your kind words and off to check out your post. And oh yes, we have to love what we are doing, the actual full body experience of it, rather than what comes out at the end, or we would never see great art! We would all stop way too soon otherwise. Thank you for bringing your beauty into the world!
Wonderful post and really inspiring. I have started to buy more artist books for reference and aiding me in my creative progression. I agree it is so much nicer than scrolling through Instagram!
Turning the page and seeing a new delight - something very special about books, indeed. Only that with my getting-older eyesight I wouldn’t mind being able to pinch and expand the images to see all the details sometimes! 😂
Haha yes I can totally relate!!
I love art books too. I bought a book on Joan Eardley (A Sense of Place) and one on Barbara Rae (The Lammermuirs). I am going through an abstract phase - LOL.
If you're making a living from your art, there's loads that has to be done besides painting or drawing, so days where you don't really feel like creating can be helpful keeping that side of your business sorted.
Oh yes, it is a whole different kettle of fish for those of us making a living from our art - sometimes we have to show up uninspired (though thankfully, for me anyway, just making a start even when it feels uncomfortable, can lead to finding the flow and inspiration I need). But you are also right - it is a good time to get some of the MAMMOTH amount of stuff in our business that is not actually making art! Thanks so much for sharing your insight!
Those are wonderful ideas, Natalie. I bought a couple of art books this week specifically for inspiration.
Thank you so much Gillian! Oh, I loooooove art books - what did you buy? Who is inspiring you?
Natalie, I found your entire post inspirational. The tips you give for finding inspiration as an artist are really spot-on. I love what you said about art: it "is the practice and process that you value more than the outcome." I wholeheartedly agree. It's all about the process.
I strongly believe that doing the work, even if uninspired, will lead to inspiration. There are days I don't want to show up at the canvas, but I do so anyway and find that this ignites inspiration. I discuss this in my post, Where's My Muse? at https://bethlgainer.substack.com/p/wheres-my-muse
Thank you for such an insightful post. Here's to more art practices and processes rather than the outcome!
Thank you Beth, I am so appreciative of your kind words and off to check out your post. And oh yes, we have to love what we are doing, the actual full body experience of it, rather than what comes out at the end, or we would never see great art! We would all stop way too soon otherwise. Thank you for bringing your beauty into the world!