Friday, February 29, 2008

Daily dose...for 21 days

For those of you that have read this blog for awhile, you know that I'm all about daily inspiration. Feeling inspired in your everday life by things around you. You also know that I love going to estate sales and find that other peoples junk inspires me to no end. Last night at the library a copy of Lynne Perrella's new book Art Making: Collections and Obsessions came in for me. This book truly speaks my language. She says "Whether we call it collecting, accumulating, scavenging, scrounging, gathering or junking, it's all about the urge to surround ourselves with our stuff, our loot, our stash, our hoard, our mother lode of treasures, and to reap the inspiration that these sometimes inexpicably irrisistable objects provide." I have sometimes struggled with the question and the balance of becoming too material and consumer minded. Lynne says that "....nor do we need the quantities of things we amass. And yet, like the art process itself, there is something rewarding about trusting our instincts and letting each discovery unfold. Keeping our inner radar tuned to the innate possibilities of each object is an important part of the game, a way to keep energized and engaged throughout a whole lifetime of creativity." Mati wrote today about daily inspiration.. she said "it all calls into question: what makes us feel most inspired? alive? motivated? it's these little nuggets of inspiration that fuel me.....how does that translate to painting and creating art? most of us would agree that it is part of the process. of noticing the shade of pink & the contrast of the bright green of the ranunculus against it's robin's egg blue vase."
Here is my sweet daily muse (below).
Then I found out that Rhonna was once again spreading her magic and starting up another 21 Days Challenge. Read all about it here!

So I am combining all of these ramblings about collections, inspiration and art into this challenge. For 21 days I am going to try to form a habit of keeping tabs on my daily inspirations and growing collections in a journal. I'm entranced with the idea of documenting where I get ideas from and what inspires me. Keeping an inspiration journal should be truly delightful. Speaking of documentation, have you seen the new inspiration ezine by Erin of Design for Mankind? Vol. 2 is out and it is amazing!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds nice. I agree that it is a fine balance between enough and too much. That's where sharing comes in.

mushroommeadows said...

The book sounds great. :)

Unknown said...

This book sounds so wonderful, and so perfect. Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious about my collections of clutter that totally inspire me. Sometimes I enjoy the inspiration for a while and then I give it away to make room for new inspirational pieces. Thank you for the links too. Karen

Shop girl said...

I love your blog...I am sure this has been said many times...it is fun to come and see the beauty you find in the simplist of things.
Hugs, Mary

lindaharre said...

Wonderful post......really makes me think! I too get caught up in the "materialistic" part of all this collecting:D I do believe that surrounding yourself with inspiration is what makes your "muse" happy! I can go into my studio (stock room) and put something together any hour of the day or night! It is all there....all those pretties that turn me on.....LOL

forcryeye said...

Your blog is so beautiful and inspiring! I can't wait to see what is next!

/// said...

You are so so sweet--- thanks for your kind words!!! :)