Great artists inspire us to play it forward
by Nics
Creation inspires me. Whether that is the creation of the creator throughout our planet in the natural world or the creation of others.
When I look at the creations of others I am stimulated, feeling myself naturally moved to think about a part of life, be that mine of the universal life. Sometimes I am motivated to create something of my own. Other times, I am able through my reaction to the creation that I look at to learn more about myself. I am one of those people who can sit and look at paintings or sculpture for hours on end. Or just sit on a beach watching the waves, absorbing the light.
I love to chase light. Often driving for miles to catch a sunset, or rising before dawn to see the new day bathed in sunlight. And, when I talk about places that I love, very often I will talk - usually at length -about the brilliant light, that I experienced there.
Day Six of Jeff Goins Series (15 Habits of Great Writers) suggests that great writers and artists steal. There is something that sits uncomfortably with me about stealing from someone else. However, I think it might just be a semantic because I believe artists inspire us to play it forward. In that I mean to create something of our own. Our own piece of work, that belongs to us but one which had its seed germinated by seeing or experiencing, feeling another piece of work. Be that music or prose. Photographs, paintings, sculpture, jewellery, film, buildings, drawings, food.
My favourite bible verse is 'In the beginning God created ...'
Simply I find myself marvelling at the idea, that before God did anything else he got creative. He Created! Today Jeff asked us to share something that inspired us to create. I have chosen my iPhone photograph of Hawthorn Blossom. This June snow turns the countryside hedgerows into a mass of white. The blossom begins to turn light pink as it ages. I took this particular picture as I walked through the field on an early morning walk with Foinn. The form, of the buds of the flower, the sticky green tinged with red of the leaves caught my eye, and got me thinking about the intricacies of life, the beauty of life in the small things. It left me feeling quite etheral. I created my art in this photograph by chosing an angle and a perspective.
Does this picture speak to you - what of?
What inspires you to play it forward, let me know in the comments?
Today I am linking up with the wonderful Sweet Shot Tuesday community hosted by Kent Weakley, please do join us.
That's it for now ...
Nics
Salt and Sparkle - Life Remarkable
Reader Comments (3)
You've put this so well: "I love to chase light." When I travel, I'm often up early to enjoy the sunrise while my family sleeps. Early morning light on any view is lovely.
Your take on Jeff Goins' admonition to "steal" makes sense -- to play it forward. Art does inspire us to create, whether it's the art of words or a masterpiece hanging in a gallery or the beauty of a sunrise at the Grand Canyon. There's something about being in the presence of great art that makes us want to go create.
Thanks for sharing your shot of the flowers. We don't have these around here. They are beautiful!
There is something about being in presence of great art that makes me want to create. Nature inspires me most of all. I love how your blog reflects the beauty & wonder of nature.
I agree getting up early before others is a magical secret time. It's clandestine. Intimate between us and the creator. It's before the noise of others invades the day with joyful sounds. It's before our attention changes.
Nature and light are wonderfully inspiring whether they be flowers, insects or even the clouds above. Looking at great works by others also inspires me to look at things more closely and appreciate further aspects of beauty.