There are three topics frequent to artistic discussions: Influence, Inspiration, and Creativity. I've written several times in the newsletter and on my blog about Creativity and last month's subject was Influence. So, this month I'm going to tackle Inspiration.
Inspiration can be broadly described as "what moves you", but it can be more subtle than that. Inspiration is a cousin to influence. Where influence is motivation from external sources that can become internalized, inspiration is generally believed to be an internal process affected (influenced) by external forces and beyond the control of the individual. We receive inspiration unconsciously, i.e. the proverbial light bulb over the head, the "lightning strike"; revelations just come to us from "out of the blue". If you sit and think about becoming inspired, it doesn't work as well as when you're not thinking about it; when you wake up in the middle of the night, or suddenly solve a problem in the shower. The moment you are inspired is unpredictable.
It's difficult to accurately define inspiration. Early philosophers believed inspiration was a message directly from the gods (or God). Others saw artists as being attuned to divine or mystical "winds", able to receive and interpret the messages traveling through the air. Marx saw inspiration as a result of the struggle between the classes (isn't everything?). The single thread that ties them all together, though, is inspiration is not under our control. Here are four "official" definitions of inspiration if you're not convinced yet:
Inspiration:
1. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotion or prompts action or invention.
2. An unconscious burst of creativity in a literary, musical, or other artistic endeavor.
3. The feeling itself within the body of elevated energy and enthusiasm.
4. To breathe.
The last definition, "to breathe", although describing the process of respiration (breathing in and out), has a Zen-like quality to it, tying in the idea of receiving inspiration from the gods or divine winds. We breathe it in. It comes to us along with everything else. But, like the early artists attuned to the divine wind, we must be attuned to whatever wavelength inspiration travels or it will pass us by unrecognized.
However, when we talk about inspiration, or the possible inspiration behind a work of art, it's often in terms of Influence and the external factors we can describe or physically interact with - vision, sound, touch, taste, smell - and rarely the internal factors - thought, emotion - actually involved in the creation of the work. This is partly because the physical world has many more similarities we can all relate to, whereas, the insubstantial world of thought and emotion is much harder to relate to or describe accurately enough for all to understand. Just read a few artist statements and you'll get the picture.
Inspiration can be influenced by external forces, but it is the complex internal mixings of past, present and future experiences, with a dash (or more) of "divine intervention", aged in the oak barrels of our soul that puts the pieces together, suddenly to burst to the surface.
The bookshelves of self-help, religion, art, business, and philosophy abound with tips and exercises to become more inspired. I think I can save a lot of time and unnecessary expense by presenting you with this one simple exercise. It's so easy you can do it anywhere, no fancy equipment needed, no complicated multi-page instruction manual to read or DVD to watch. You probably do it already but maybe don't recognize it for the treasure trove it is. So, without further excessive fanfare, do this and your "inspiration quotient" will improve (no guarantees, but I think it's highly likely):
Daydream
By this I mean truly let your mind wander. Don't direct. I suppose the practice of meditation might come close but my concept is not quite as "emptying".
If you think about it (not too hard, though), when you get those inspirations in the shower or late at night, it's at those times when the thinking/analyzing portion of your brain is turned off, even for a second (inspiration just needs a small window to escape). Gross & Shapiro, in their book "The Tao of Photography", describe "unconstricted awareness", a state of awareness without preconceptions, expectations, and self-imposed discrimination. Being open to everything that occurs around you, without casting judgment, is a kind of daydreaming state, allows inspiration an easier path to follow, and creates a mind-set more receptive to recognizing when inspiration strikes. Of course, getting lost in a true daydream works too.
In case you need a gentle nudge into practicing activities that nurture inspiration, here are 10 things you can do:
1. Watch movies & TV
2. Visit a flea market/antique shop/thrift store/farmers market/museum
3. Listen to music
4. Read a book/see a play/go to a concert
5. Look at art
6. Write a journal
7. Take a hike
8. Daydream
9. Join a photography group/hang out with other artists
10. Experiment with "what if....?"
What inspires you?
© 2009 Mike Shipman.
