Invoking Your Inner Creative

Salutations Friends!

For a while now, I've been wanting to do a post about being creative and what inspires people to be creative. I have periods of time when I can really tap into my inner creative and come up with all kinds of things covered in awesome sauce. Then other times I just feel like all my creativity is all dried up and I'm just wandering around lost.

I dunno how anyone else is, but I almost have to set the mood to be in a creative space. I typically have more juices flowing when it's after midnight and it's just me, my project, & the silence that night time brings. It's kinda like you don't have all the sounds and distractions of the waking hours and can just concentrate on the task at hand. It's when I've done my best work. Another time I'm at my creative best is when I've seen someone else's work that I really liked.  It could be paintings, sculptures, woodworking, fashion, cooking, or whatever. If it is creative then I can be inspired from it.


A couple years ago, I was able to see KAWS artwork at The High Museum of Art here in Atlanta and it was so awesome! I loved how he kind of re-created the Simpson's and called them the Kimpson's (among other cartoon characters). I wouldn't have thought about doing that, but seeing someone else's idea or take on something makes me think outside the box!

COMPANION: Passing Through
~ Photo Source ~

I'm also a fan of my friend Courtney's artwork. He's been amusing the hell outta me since high school with this drawings. And the things he can do with color pencils are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! I've secretly been a little envious of his abilities since I first saw what he could do. I just found this doodle the other day that he did when we were in Spanish class that absolutely cracked me up! Our teacher Ms Finny would always be running of at the mouth and whatever she said she would end in 'Por favor!'

'Silencio, por favor!'

'Everyone sit down, por favor!'

'Open your books, por favor!'

And of course being teenagers, we were bored or sleep and wouldn't pay her any mind.

I've read numerous things where people advise "stocking up" of your creative ideas, so that when you don't feel creative you can nab one of your previous ideas. I've tried this before and it doesn't really work that well for me. I'm just not as passionate about the subject matter anymore once the moment has passed. So I thought I'd look up a few things and see what other advice is out there.

Wiki-How has a laughable 3 step version on how to be creative. I mosdef fail at all 3! It's a work of art! How can it not be personal?

Inc.com on the other hand gave some goodies that make sense to try out when you're in a my-brain-is-empty-of-all-creative-goodness mode.

Funders and Founders says to destroy, be wrong,  & be brave (as well as 28 others tips)! You should definitely check this one out!


So when are you at your most creative? Do you have to set the mood? And what do you do when you have a creative block?

Ciao!

Little 5 Points

Whad up folks,
I hope that everyone is having a good weekend. I know that mine is quite comical. This week I went down to Little 5 Points.
I love this area, because you can go out looking like a 'freak' and totally fit in. You could step out your house sporting a top hat, a basketball jersey with some gold tights and a tutu to match and no one would pay you any mind. I have yet to go to this 'bar & grill' called The Vortex. It looks a little intimidating don't you think?

I like seeing all the different styles that people wear while they are there shopping. And it amazes me how a lot of the girls that are down there are walkin around in heels.. very high heels at that! I love a cute heel just like the next woman, but I'm not about crippling my feet to walk around looking fabulous for all of 5 minutes just to be limping and leaning for the rest of the time I'm shopping. No Deals!
See that guy sitting there on the window sill? Well he looked 'normal' at first, but he just turned out to be another beggar. That is the only draw back to being in this area. The beggars. Do you think that it's true that they make more in a day begging than most people do who are fortunate enough to work right now?

It's a very arty area and I think that's truly was I like it so much. A lot of people who own the shops there boast that everything is handmade by them and their families. I saw one vendor making earrings while I was in store. Me being an artist myself I want to support other artist who are out there really trying to make it living the 'starving artist' life. One guy was just standing out near the Mosaic above of the guy with the guitar cutting and shaping what looked like copper to make jewelry. That takes some balls, just to be out on the street like that trying to sell your work. ^5.

There are also just some plan ole unique (more like odd) stores in the area. One being this one called Junkman's Daughter. When I was reading around this store on the internet I thought it was going to be like a really kool thrift shop or something hip like Spencers. But no.. it was more weed head-ish/goth in there. I felt like a total square, being in there since I don't mess wit da drugs nor am I into dressing goth. Funny thing.. a lot of the shops had a 'back room' for the mature. Basically the weed room! Of course they didn't sell weed, just all of the toys and accessories that someone would need to get high, high, hiiiiiigh.

Check out this spaceship hanging out of the building. It has an alien or two to complete the package. How kool is that? And I'm just now noticing the little eyes below the ship! Ok, well I need a nap now. Ciao!

New Projects

What's up folks.
This is my new soon to be painting. I drew this a few years back and now I've been requested to make it into a glorious piece of artwork. I'm excited to start on it, but I'm also quite apprehensive about it as well. It's gonna be a big project and it's gonna take quite a long time to finish it because of all the detail work. If you can't tell what it is, there is a very large sun with clouds swirling around in the sky and then there are tall buildings or skyscrapers at the bottom.

I currently have to wait to start this project due to lack of supplies. :( The only thing I really need is the canvas. I would really like to do it on 24 x 36, but that will depend on the person who I'm doing the painting for. In the mean time I will probably work on a different project. I know that I'll have to make myself do it, because I always put other things I need to do first. Laundry.. cleaning the kitchen... consoling friends... spending time with my Beloved... paying bills... I'll just have to fit it in when I'm watching tv or something. Just maybe I'll start something right now after I finish this post! :) I guess you will find out later now won't you.