its4inthemorning wrote:
G, the reason I am not an artist . . .
4
this is a flattering and difficult message to respond to, curt - because i doubt that you and i are very different. inspiration is a mixture of several things, but mostly ideas and enthusiasm - and it's an idea that is the biggest and most elusive, albeit crucial ingredient; it gets easier from then on. all i can do is tell you how i personally acquire mental stimulation and encourage it to play me a winning card. you might give it a try.
first i tidy the kitchen so that everything is in its place, not even an unwashed teaspoon is left on the working top. this is so important, because being away from home is the key, and when i walk back through that door after returning i cannot be distracted by the sight of housework needing to be done. it is essential that time is not wasted; inspiration does not hang around waiting.
so, i go out and socialise as much as possible, anywhere there is light, life and activity. meetings, the shopping mall, meet friends, visit galleries, museums, attend lectures, concerts, whatever - all the time the brain picking up information and impressions. a tidy kitchen and warm apartment awaits my homecoming, the doorbell and phone are switched off, i stick loud and lively music on (anything from reggae to rihanna), throw a couple of ginger or peppermint teabags into a teapot - and the conditions should be perfectly suitable for any creative process to begin. an imagination that is wild with all the material that has been soaked up can then be set free to find its way into a physical picture.
of course, some people seem to just have a natural talent for making pictures, but i don't buy that. we are all just flesh and blood, admittedly with varying levels of potential, but i am a good example of someone with average intelligence. one would need to search long and hard to find a more ordinary person than myself. i do carry a sketchbook with me, but prefer to work at home with warmth, music and hot tea. if a person has confidence, is able to think 'outside of the box', is positive and willing to practice and fail - eventually they are walking on easy street.
i was supposed to be in sogn & fjordane this weekend, but plans were changed. maybe next weekend. tomorrow (monday) afternoon i am meeting juanita when she finishes at the hospital and we are going for lunch at a bistro. then i am accompanying her to our little airport on a nearby island - one of the few flat areas big enough for a runway. she will be in oslo for one week, but we stay in touch via messenger, whatsapp or SMS (texting). we were together last night too, but a bunch of other people were also there.
stay well, curt - and don't forget that everyone needs to give themselves a treat every day. this world can be a challenging existence, and we all deserve something nice
https://youtu.be/_JLnC0e5dUU
Ps: i should add that no one is ever obligated to respond to my messages, even though it is nice when someone does - just never feel any pressure. i was born with a communicative personality and enjoy interacting with people. when talking one should always obey the 20-second rule to give the other person an opportunity to speak, unless there is something special that needs to be said. i've probably mentioned this before. i don't mind when the other person breaks that rule and talks beyond 20-seconds, even if it's simple chit-chat, because i am an excellent listener too - which is why people like being with me. when writing no rules apply, however, because the reader can always take a break.
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more 'blackening pages', as leonard called it
here is the view from my balcony taken a few minutes ago. depressing sight! now you know why i like shops best and not nature. i can't wait to get dressed and go to the mall. i hate this god-forsaken place.
https://youtu.be/tW2sRrcNw-g
how to lower the value of an antique magazine.
https://youtu.be/5GJWxDKyk3A