Inspiration: “What?” vs. “How?”
“What’s your inspiration?”
It’s the first question I get when someone sees my work and it’s also my favorite question to ask other makers, even though it's a loaded one.
On October 24, I’ll launch my second collection, and believe it or not - ideation for these pieces started back in the summer (before I had even launched the shop)! Creating ceramic works has several steps, so it requires you to think ahead, sometimes several months in advance. I’m always sourcing ideas, so that means constantly staying in a state of inspiration to be productive.
What you draw inspiration from is one thing. How you stay inspired consistently is another thing altogether.
As I started spending more time honing in on my creative practice, I’ve found that there’s a rhythm to amping myself up to create. At least for now, if you’d ask me what’s inspiring me, I’d rather chat about how I’m creating my latest work.
Here’s what I’m thinking about:
Sparks – what makes me feel creative
There are a few types of objects that I’m intrinsically interested in. I find them inexplicably beautiful. I draw energy from being seeing, visiting and photographing them.
Florals
Textiles
Industrial hardware
Naturally occurring patterns
Look at how these sparks made their way into the fall collection.
Rules – how I collect
Before I got more serious about my practice, I used to have what I’d call creative envy: when I’d see a spark, I’d get so wrapped up in thinking about how or if I could duplicate that feeling of awe that I’d never fully appreciate the thing, and I’d discourage myself from trying in a way that felt authentic to me. To combat that, I make a point to:
Look without judgment – No storytelling, no labeling, no requirement for perfection. Just mindful observation of what the present and how it makes me feel in the moment. If it makes me feel anything – good or bad - I capture a reminder of it somehow.
Observe the patterns – After a while, say a few weeks, I look at all of the things that I’ve found interesting lately. Subconsciously, I’m usually drawn to similar sparks, and this allows my work to evolve naturally over time with my interests. These patterns serve as the starting place for colors and forms in my work
Sources – where I turn to find stuff.
Basically, everyday life – Once I understood what my sparks were and that they’re all around me, it’s so easy to get excited about being present. I keep fresh flowers in my place every week, care for my rainforest of plant babies or just take a walk around my industrial neighborhood to get a new wave of energy. I constantly keep my camera on me and take quick shots of the sparks so I can come back to those little hints of joy later.
Pinterest – This was the first tool that helped me see the patterns between things I liked. It’s a great way to save work from other artists or brands while referencing sources and develop secret mood boards for projects. You can check mine out here.
Magazines – I go straight up analog and sometimes cut out images or words I resonate with like a teenage girl. When I do, I usually try to define what I like about what I’m seeing (ex. Form, Color, Texture etc.) so creative envy doesn’t kick in. In terms of the types, fashion magazines are too on the nose for me, actually. I usually like to crack open Women’s Health or similar lifestyle magazines that have nothing to do with wearables, then see what patters, colors or styles they’re using to describe a good life according to their ethic.
Comment below to let me know how you get inspired and how you apply it to your everyday life.
See my vision come to life this Saturday with the launch of the Fall Collection.