Inspiration In Unexpected Places

Today I want to share another outlet for artistic expression online: deviantArt. You've probably heard of this site; some of you folks probably even have a membership there. But for those who don't, I want to give you a sneak peek at what wonderful, brilliant things are being offered there. (All images are used here with permission from their respective artists.)

despair.deviantart.com; used with permission

There is quite a number of extremely talented photographers on deviantArt, despair among them. This photo on the left is of a blossom in a sun shower; it illustrates that we can find inspiration in opposites in our own world. It also proves that these can be presented in magical, fairy-tale ways.

DeviantArt is also home to many very gifted writers, this poet among them. He found inspiration in the image of a stoic bird perched in the countryside:

Solitary Blackbird

saiun

A fencepost stands tall,
Amid a golden green sea.
   Solitary blackbird.

 

bugatha1, used with permission

And mixed-media artists of all kinds, such as bugatha1, with her whimsical, darkly humorous found-object collages and vignettes. Her vision and artistic sensibilities allow her to give old things, such as toys and matchstick boxes, new manifestations. These tantalize us with half-familiar icons arranged in ways that create mystery and intrigue.

 And, of course, jewelry artists.

These pieces are about finding inspiration in our everyday lives, and how we translate these experiences into our own worlds on a daily basis. Our perspectives are uniquely our own; artwork and writings allow us to share them with others. Go out into the world! Look around; try to notice things you would otherwise overlook and seek inspiration in them. It may be a mossy stone at the end of the driveway, or the first spring blossoms poking their buds up out of the snow. It may be shards of wood that were broken from the eaves by frost, or a pool of water forming in the middle of the creek where ice is starting to thaw.

These are daily treasures and can serve to spark magnificent things.

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Creating Worlds - Looking to the Past for Inspirations

My giveaway is still going on!

Check this post out for details on how to enter.

Wikipedia; image in the public domain

When I am stuck on any kind of a project, there's a couple of default things I do. One is to put on some provocative music. Another is to look at art I admire. But one of my favorite things to do when I'm caught on something is to go to google and look up old books.


To the right is the famous Trés Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. It's a 15th century illuminated manuscript depicting medieval daily life. The activities rendered range from feasts and hunting parties of the upper class to mundane daily routines like harvesters gathering crops from the fields. Everything is done in gloriously rich colors. The garb is authentic and extraordinarily detailed. There are also interesting things such as the astrological symbols at the top, which display things like the seasons and birth signs.



While these things seem mystical, however, there are other, far more mysteriously interesting books out there in the world.

Wikipedia; image is in the public domain

Take for instance, the Voynich manuscript. To this day, no one knows very much about it at all. It is written in an unrecognized language that has eluded code-breakers and linguists for decades. The anatomical, botanical, and astrological illustrations don't seem to make much sense, and there is little to no information about it from primary sources. It remains a tantalizing enigma.



There are hundreds of extant historical documents from around the world. Many of these pieces have been digitized or at least partially digitized in order to preserve them. A quick look on Google will reveal a wonderful array, from renaissance concept sketches by famous painters to medieval maps in fanciful colors. All at your fingertips! This is a fabulous time period to live in.

One more fabulous thing to note: medieval tapestries. Books were not the only means by which people in other time periods could chronicle events or tell stories. Another way was by embroidered or woven tapestries, such as the Bayeux Tapestry---a length of embroidered cloth depicting the Norman conquest.

A fabulous team of historical enthusiasts got together and created the Historical Tale Construction Kit, a free, computerized way for people to tell stories the good ol' fashion Bayeux Tapestry style:

Other fun links and resources:

Turning the Pages: The British Library site
Centre for Heritage Imaging and Collection Care
A collection of the world's most magnificent libraries

Where do you usually turn for your inspiration?

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I'm also excited to share that a certain beloved bead artist has agreed to let me interview her, and two very talented writers and an artist from deviantart are allowing me to share some of their creative work in the upcoming couple of weeks. Exciting stuff! Stay tuned. :D

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ATTN: BEAD SOUP POST IS BELOW.

If you're here for the Bead Soup Blog Party, the post is one below or you can find it here! Thanks.
I am still hopping blogs myself and am having so much fun! :D

Two great things to note, though!

I just got an email from the Rings & Things blog (I'm a blog partner, if you can't already tell by my little badge on the right!), and I was one of the ten winners for this month's goodies pack drawing! What a wonderful birthday present. :D My fiance and I always drool over the Rings & Things ads in the magazines, so it will be an absolute thrill to work with some of their materials. I can't wait!

And one of my necklaces that I blogged about a while back was featured in an etsy treasury. :) I feel so honored! This is only my second treasury and I think it may be the same piece, but either way, I'm tickled pink. :3 I love the theme, too: "woodland mystique."

'woodland mystique' by Vanessaisms

hi friends

Twin Baby Fawns Woodlan... carriveau $30.00	Tree Stump Pincushion hitree $22.00	Photo Card - Bunny Love... PhotographicEy... $20.00	Retro Daizy Chain jamberrysong $24.00
Chocolate Leather Flowe... bijubrill $30.00	Forest friend plush - D... thumbly $19.00	A Natural "Nest&qu... nestibles $10.00	Junco and Lilacs - 5x7 ... ThePaperButter... $8.50
Paper Lace Earth Light ... paperplanet $9.00	Solitude, 11x14 Sepia F... olivetto $25.00	Photo Tree Frog Portrai... clockworkgh0st $3.00	2 Ceramic Owls BROOKLYNrehab $24.00
toadstool mushroom ring Vanessaisms $19.00	Petite Nest Handmade Bi... dreamsbythesea $34.00	Autumnal Gold Earrings ... BanditOctopusC... $18.00	Cream poppy bowl PrinceDesignUK $28.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Ah, I can't wait to walk out among the leaves and flowers again! Soon, soon...


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Creating and Being

Recently, For My Sweet Daughter had a beautiful post about origins and asked,

"How did you fall in love with the process of creating? Did you have a mentor?"

I didn't have any specific mentors; rather, there were several people who helped me become the creative person that I am.

My mother was one of those people. One of my fondest memories was the time we had to take an emergency trip to our grandparents' house. There wasn't time to pack any toys, and we were so bored. My parents didn't have a whole lot of money to buy anything for us to do. So my mother dug an ancient box of crayons and a pair of scissors out of a drawer, took a cereal box and some paper, and made us some mermaid paper dolls. They were beautiful dolls, and some of the best toys we ever had. I knew I wanted drawing to be a part of my future then. My parents may not have had a lot of money when I was growing up, but they made sure we had tons of books to read and things to craft with. We used to go to girl scout meetings and sometimes on camping trips; my favorite part was always the arts and crafts.

When I was much older, we went to a camp program run by Native American elders. It was they who taught me how to bead, who enlightened my spirit and revealed the community and the serenity that are possible through this most ancient of arts. Jewelry is not just made to accessorize; it has so many meanings, so many uses. It was the Native American Indians who sealed their treaties, not with signatures and handshakes, but with beads. They had belts to commemorate certain accomplishments, decorated headdresses to show rank and achievements, ornate garments specific to particular ceremonies and events. It was these things my elders imparted to me. Grandmother White Wolf, Woman-With-Two-Canoes, and Grandfather Running Wolf: if you ever stumble upon this page, I hope you realize how deeply I revere you and the things that you have taught me among the pine boughs and cedars, around the sacred fire, and to the shared heartbeat. <3

Amalie (my sister), Hope, and Barbara all deserve due mention here, as well. These women created with me, nurtured my penchant for making things, and shared in the community of creative minds.

And to those who ever inspired with their brilliant works or sheer passion for the arts,
this salute goes to you. <3 <3 <3

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Now. How did you fall in love with the process of creating? Did you have a mentor(s)?

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The road goes ever on and on...

We started off on our journey to Connecticut yesterday, for Christmas with our family. Our road took us through the back country of New England, between mountains, along stony rivers, in the shadows of rock-faced cliffs. It was so beautiful. I was sad because I'd packed my camera and there was no getting to it in the car, so I drew this picture (omitting the road, of course; a line of asphalt has a way of ruining a scene).

This is one of my favorite trips to make. We saw dozens of hawks perched in trees, on signs and fenceposts, all along the way. Their regal stature is inspiring. There were also many deer and turkeys. Sunshine lit the snowy valleys to a bright white and danced on the bit of water running underneath ice as it formed over the river. Glorious day for traveling. We count ourselves lucky, since this is the season of bad weather.

I will be on the lookout for bead stores here in Connecticut. I'll also be looking at antique stores. There's no place like New England for antiques! Hopefully there will be some lovely pictures for you, too.


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