A Friday Night in One Lifetime
Right Outta Nowhere
Rain & Mud & Wild & Green
Live
A Thousand Girls
This Time Last Year
Artists Inspiring Artists
February 4th, 2008 by Christine Kane
When I’m sick of my own voice and ideas, and my work starts to bore me to tears, I head into town and wander through the many galleries and look at the work of our local painters, potters, and sculptors. I am inspired by texture and color and edges and angles. It opens up places in my brain. It makes me smile to know that these artists are somewhere in their studios making things that I get to experience.
When I visit radio stations and do live interviews, I’m often asked, “Who are your biggest inspirations and influences?” I’m supposed to respond by dutifully reciting a list of the brilliant songwriters and musicians who came before me and paved the way for people like me. And of course, I do have such a list.
But my list is never limited to musicians. I am inspired by many artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, comedians, and authors. I always throw a few of them onto that list to keep things interesting.
So, of course, it’s thrilling to me to inspire another artist. I’m honored to have been the music in the background for Lisa Call’s latest creation. Lisa is a fantastic contemporary textile artist. Go check out all of her work.
Add to del.icio.us
Stumble It!
Subscribe to this feed
Digg it
|
|
Share this Article:
Newsletter:
|
February 4th, 2008 1:03 am
Hello, been reading your blog for a little while, thought I would finally leave a comment.
I’ve always found it amazing how inspiration can be taken from one medium of expression and applied to another, creating something original and possibly quite innovative.
Art has many dimensions to it I suppose.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts through this blog.
February 4th, 2008 1:50 am
I was kind of disappointed, CK, that you didnt proceed to go ahead and list some of those “others” that you find inspiring.
I find Tiger Woods to be a very inspiring athlete, though I’ll never be a pro golfer.
February 4th, 2008 6:57 am
Thanks for the note, Paul! And yes, art does have all kinds of dimensions!
Todd - It’s funny you wrote that. I originally DID put a list of all of the people. But then I edited it out because I wanted the focus to be on Lisa’s work! So, hmmm - Dean Smith, Bill Waterson, Seth Godin, Melisa Cadell (a sculptor here in Asheville), Lori Moore, Michael Jordan, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Barry, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Mary Oliver… just to name a few!
February 4th, 2008 9:13 am
I too, absolutely love Lisa Call’s gorgeous textile art.
February 4th, 2008 3:14 pm
Christine - thank you so much for the mention. And thank you for the music - which is very inspiring.
Thank you Melody.
February 4th, 2008 3:20 pm
I love the thought of finding inspiration everywhere, because I think that is so true for so many people. I write, but I don’t just take inspiration from other writers. I love plays and movies, and so many songs and paintings have inspired settings, characters, plot lines, etc. Not to mention conversations, people I know, and the like. Stephenie Meyer’s popular young adult vampire story Twilight began as a retelling of a dream she had had, and grew into a bestseller and the first in a series.
In short, I think that art comes from everywhere if you are observant and open to it.
February 5th, 2008 12:27 am
Your blog has been quite an inspiration to me and I thought I would take this opportunity to let you know. You have a wonderful way of making me feel like we are good friends chatting away.
I too love to browse and soak in all the wonderful talent that is out there. It is a great way to get the creative juices flowing and just put a smile on my face.
Thank you for making me smile.
February 5th, 2008 6:18 pm
I always loved walking around downtown Asheville. I have never lived any other place where I wouldl go downtown just to take a walk….all those galleries and little cafes. You are right. There is a lot of inspiration there.
February 5th, 2008 7:48 pm
Reading the piece gives me an idea that each of us is inspired by something – it could be a person, a music, a painting, a sculpture, nature as a whole, an animal, a smell or the innumerable things in the world which we experience. It is important for us to become aware of those that create special impression on our lives – that opens areas of our brains. This awareness can help us to be alert for those influences that impact and open our brain cells. We choose to be in those places or in the presence of those people, events, situations, objects so that we help ourselves to open our brain cells to a new way of looking, feeling and living life.
Creating such a list of inspirations and influences we enhance our capabilities to greater heights and live life more fully.
February 5th, 2008 9:21 pm
Lisa Call’s work is beautiful, and I never would have found it if it weren’t for CK’s blog and inspired songs and Web site. So thanks!
February 5th, 2008 9:53 pm
Don’t we all hope to weave the web between ideas and inspirations. Much of my work is inspired by that of other creative minds and hands. Thanks for the reminder — Lisa’s wonderful work is some of my favorite and her blog is a must read.
February 7th, 2008 7:34 am
Coming out of a long relationship, I find more empty time and spaces in my days. Sometimes they fill with loneliness, food, tv. Other times are filled with ideas of new ways of seeing, of feeling, of utilizing all my senses. Today, the idea of looking at art, perhaps openning myself up to re-visit my own ability to create is dawning.
Thanks for the gentle nudge into Lisa’s art gallery!
I also love that she admitted to listening to one song over and over. I do that too(frequently, it is one of CK’s songs).
It is my older brother’s voice from, oh, 25 years ago that brings up feelings of wrongness about that, when showing me how to listen to one of his albums…carefully following specific instructions from taking it out of it’s alphabetical filing, to listening just one time, to putting it back just right, but not before the ablum is dusted.
My 17 year old son is very creative and requires a messy room to feel comfortable to create…drives me crazy sometimes and going into his room to find something overwhelms me. Clearly, he mirrors my dormant creative side. My goodness, I can only imagine what a pig pen this house will be if I really let loose!
The best I can do to let loose is listen to my favorite song over and over!
If I sound prudish, it is only because I feel prudish, hesitant to jump into the messy wonderful world of stimutating my senses and openning up my creative mind. Standing and looking and smiling on the side lines at the moment. I will let you know when I jump! Or rather, leap. I think I may need to SEE that net first!
February 8th, 2008 6:22 pm
Thank you Katherine and Susie and Ellen for the compliments for my art.
Katherine I was hesitant to admit I listen to the same song over and over again (my kids aren’t super fond of this behavior of mine) but I’m glad I mentioned it because I’ve discovered there are a lot of people that do the same thing. I think many of us are soothed by repetition.
February 16th, 2008 6:26 pm
As a fiber artist, I’m thrilled that fiber sang to you. And thank you for the link to Lisa Call’s work–fabulous stuff!