Where do you go to jump start you creativity and get out of a rut?

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Permalink Reply by Casey Valiant on August 13, 2009 at 6:13pm

I always thought you could just look at a Mac and it would inspire you. HaHa!

My wife, Kristi, is a children's book illustrator and she uses IllustrationFriday.com to sometimes get a jumpstart. It gives a topic each week and you are to illustrate something based on that topic by Friday. Pretty cool concept.

Casey(I'm a PC)V

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on August 14, 2009 at 9:56am

With such a cool name as Casey Valiant, I would think you are inspired every day!

Casey V is soooo cool.

I knew a man named Mark Avenger. How cool is that! Of course, I am Cissi Sherlock, so you know I've heard every joke there is. I was riding down the street the other day and remembered thename of a childhood friend, Keto Suttice. What a cool name!

As you can see, I don't even have a brain to choose what side to think out of! I am just out of this world!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Padgett on August 14, 2009 at 10:09am

Not only does looking and working on a Mac inspire me ... it does more for me than I can speak about on a blog.
HaHa. thanks for the reply I have a friend that is at Herron that wants to do childrens book Illustration as well and will pass it on to her
.

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Permalink Reply by Kendal R. Miller on August 13, 2009 at 7:46pm

Hi Jennifer.

I know exactly what you're talking about--I've been through the same thing and will probably go through it again. Not to sound negative, but there's just so many outside sources that can get one distracted sometimes.

I have a photography business on the side of a full-time day job. Sometimes it's like riding a roller coaster--up and down, up and down. Photos are selling, the freelance jobs are lining up and I've been accepted into galleries and exhibits. Other times nothing. (I guess I should stress-NOTHING!) :) There are so many times that I think "what's the use?" when things aren't selling or the freelance jobs aren't coming in. It's a horrible feeling.

I think the others have given you some very great ideas. Networking with others and looking at inspirational work. I look at other photographer's work either on-line and in magazines too. I also read books by John C. Maxwell that inspire me. I'm currently reading "Talent is Never Enough." Most of his books touch on a reader's mindset to their jobs or what they want to accomplish in life. They have a Christian twist to them which I like as well.

I also do some work for "me." Photograph something that I want to photograph and not something that I'm hired to do. I can be more creative then when I'm not having to follow the rules or work within restrictions. It also reminds me that I enjoy photography because it's "fun" too.

Most of all, don't beat yourself up. I think this is a felling that anyone that works in a creative field gets, and that what you're feeling is normal and temporary.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on August 14, 2009 at 9:53am

Jen,

my email: operationopenup@gmail.com

my phone #1: 605-8584
#2: 376-8654
#3: 1-219-221-9979

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Permalink Reply by rachel Weddle on August 14, 2009 at 2:51pm

I think someone may have already said it, but I love to visit museums to get inspired. Seeing other peoples' hardwork and masterpieces inspires me to push myself harder. Also, the IDADA First Fridays are a fun way to see artwork and meet other creatives. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on August 15, 2009 at 9:52am

Do these three things:

1) Buy a Moleskine (Mole-uh-skeen-uh) notebook from your favorite bookstore.
2) Go to an independent coffee shop (not a Starbucks). Find on one IndyIndieCoffee.com.
3) Draw or write whatever you see or think about.

That's what I do whenever I need to get my writer's muscles moving again. (Note: I only have to do step 1 whenever I have filled up an old Moleskine, NOT every time I need to feel creative.)

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Lee on August 15, 2009 at 4:44pm

I'll never be as cool as Deckers, with the notebook I can't pronounce and the intellectual coffee shop-sitting. I do the following cheap/easy things, tho:

1. Buy piles of sketchbooks and place them strategically in locations where I'm apt to have an idea (use your imaginations). I have many, many sketchbooks are full of stuff. When I'm feeling in need of inspiration, I pick one up.
2. Meditate. Emptying out my mind (or trying to) is the best way to gain space for new stuff to enter. Plus it's free and relaxing.

Have fun!

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on August 17, 2009 at 3:39pm

Years ago my children I constructed a giant puzzle of a dog named Two-tone from the Movie "101 Dalmations". I have kept that puzzle on the wall s inspiration for over 12 year and just stare at it for inspiration or just to smile. 'Cause, who can't smile back when a puppy is smiling at you!

Of course, it is only half a puppy now! The bottom fell off, but he still makes me smile and is a source of inspiration when I just sit and state at him for minutes on end.

I instructed my children to bury me with him when I die. Or, t least burn him with me as I has requested to be cremated!

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on August 17, 2009 at 9:40pm

I have an idea!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Padgett on August 17, 2009 at 9:44pm

what is it? Sounds good, should I call you to talk about it or you can tell me on here. I'm anxious to hear. I work until 3:00 M-F. If you want me to call what is a good time?

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on August 17, 2009 at 9:51pm

Anytime - 24/7!

Get off the computer and call me now!!!!!!!

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