Inspirational Mindfulness

The creative process is a very personal one, but many people wonder where artists get the inspiration for their work. Of course, the answers are as diverse as the artists.

The Coming Storm - Acrylic on canvas - 12 x 16

A more interesting issue, to me, would be exploring the nature of the connection between stimulus and response. Are writers inspired by words, musicians by sounds, and visual artists by images?

As an artist who paints and writes, stimulation seems to come from many senses. The key, for me, is mindfulness. The seed for any creative project can be found in the essence of every moment.

What will I write about? What will I paint? Either answer awaits in every moment to which I attend.

I close my eyes, breathe into the moment, and tune into what is now.

A doorbell rings. A truck lumbers down the street. A door creaks open. Muffled voices come into my awareness. Steps fade into the distance. A breeze slips into an open window. More sounds, birds? Or squirrels? The smell of something baking wafts into the space: bread? What time is it, oh I haven’t had breakfast.

Open your eyes and pick up your pen, pick up your brush, and start answering questions.

Who is there?

Where did they come from?

Where are they going?

What do they look like?

Do they know each other?

Are they strangers?

What colour is that voice, what is the colour of welcome?

What shape is their connection?

Does it change as it stretches between them?

Every moment is pregnant with inspiration. We just need to pay attention.