Just a quick note on Inspiration today. I was thinking the other day about what inspires me to make art (or for that matter doing anything, but that’s a whole other topic or maybe a different blog!). So today I wanted to start thinking and writing about artist’s inspiration. What inspires artists to pick up a brush and start making images on canvas, board or paper? Why the heck do I make the images I create? Do I need to get myself a muse?! Are there Muses for rent?
First step for me is to look at the art I have displayed in my house. As I look around my house I see art on the walls; some of it mine, some by other people but quite a few by my Mom (Joan Smith, deceased). As I look more closely at her work (mostly lithographs and the like), I have a renewed and, probably more knowledgeable sense of her work. She made abstract art for 20-30 years. Her art was greatly influenced by outdoors, hiking, mountains. I did a quick search for her on Google and low and behold there are some interesting links: https://kelownaartgallery.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/06587DFC-E27D-4D07-A04F-065866449264
http://www.barbarazeigler.com/4-2.html This is a link to a collaborative work Mom did with Barbara Zeigler.
I look at her resume and realize I was surrounded by art by Mom for much of my life. I remember as a kid she did pastel portraits of us kids and maybe others. She had attended the Vancouver School of Art as an adolescent and then UBC Fine Arts later in life.
So I guess my point is that I grew up in a very art-nourishing and encouraging environment. I learned to appreciate the abstract and all forms of art for sure. I feel pretty grateful for that. Because making art takes some courage. Its not for the faint-of-heart. Feeling exposed and taking risks is all part of it. So I have to thank my Mom for being the first inspiring person in my life. Love ya Mom!
Here’s a small sampling of her work.
Hey I’d love to hear from you. What inspires you to be creative?
