Lately, I’ve been working on a number of new projects both personal and commercial. I’ve been thinking about how I feel inspired creatively in my personal work and more deliberately, why? Many artists I talk to or read about, their inspiration often occurs from travel, epic novels, surreal experiences, music, or movies. Although I take pleasure in many of these activities, my illustration inspiration stems from something much more simple than that, the phenomenon that is everydayness. The ordinariness and the tasks of my own personal daily life.
Some might argue it is monotonous or plain, average or expected. I find most days pleasing, from the ornateness in everyday objects, tools, and the intrigue of mechanics used for the most simple jobs. Or quiet lives being lived by the plants in my garden and nature. Recently I have wanted to dig a little deeper than that and ask, why? Yes the outdoors, growing, gardening, and being surrounded by a background of fixers, engineers, gardeners, and general handy - ness has influenced me, but why do these things most people walk past or throw in a drawer make me want to illustrate?
The answer turned out to be quite obvious. Because there is nothing in life I take pleasure in more than everydayness. Nothing I could be more thankful for. There is often no place that I’d rather be. I like the satisfaction of repairing something that allows me to go about my daily tasks; from re-wiring my drawing lamp plug to planting out some veg for an after-work meal. Nothing to relish more than being around the home, working hard on my business, being with Gabe, being with my small family of three. Even everyday chores like hanging the laundry on the line and feeling the sunshine on my face. These small spectacular moments of the day give me a level of grounding, satisfaction and comfort, and most of all inspiration.
If you made it to the end of this post I would also invite you to think about why your inspirations inspire you. For me, doing this has allowed me to be grateful for my every day and also take even more pleasure in my creative practice. Take care and I hope that your everyday and personal inspiration brings you comfort and creativity in some form, whatever you might be going through.