A Focused Journey: Finding a focus on the other side of 50.

I believe everyone’s life has a purpose. We are here to discover that purpose then use whatever gifts were bestowed upon us to make this world a better place. Some of us are fortunate as we know at an early age what that purpose is. Others, well, we go along, often digressing from the road that will take us there. This is me. Now on the other side of 50, I am finding my way back to that road that will lead to my life’s purpose. Welcome to my journey.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Get up. Get Dressed. Paint.:Lacking inspiration

What do you do when you face the journal page with no inspiration? Some artists say the simple act of spreading paint ignites their inspiration. Alas, this has never worked for me. This morning, after staring at this page then rummaging through supplies I was still uninspired. It's my one morning I get to spend painting and I was determined paint! I opened Pinterest to my Inspiring Art Journal Pages board and selected THIS bold and beautiful flower page by Marika Lemay.

White card stock stamped with hand drawn flower and leaves.

Some artists say this isn't being creative but I beg to differ. Having a vision of the finished page ignites my creativity and I can see how I want to create it. The color palette changes when I grab the paints that speak to me. And as the page progresses I instinctively reach for stamps and stencils, adding my marks and scribbles until I feel the page is done.

The aftermath.

The Finished Page

What is your preferred method of getting inspired when inspiration leaves you staring at the blank page? I would love to read what spurs your muse out of hiding.

Joining in at Paint Party Friday. What color paint is on your fingers?

14 comments:

AnonymousOctober 20, 2017 at 7:14 AM
a gorgeous designed journal page, the colors are so pretty and a fantastic idea with the the petals and words!
Happy PPF and weekend
Elke
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Valerie-JaelOctober 20, 2017 at 7:30 AM
Your journal page turned out so well, love the colours, and this is certainly a great way of being creative! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
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FayeOctober 20, 2017 at 9:27 AM
I would also like to read what spurs artists' muses out of hiding. I love to read so I go off on reading binges. Then something we do in the watercolor class will inspire me to keep on painting after I get home. Not always. Just sometimes. I think what you did worked for you. Your journal page is so beautiful and colorful.
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NordljusOctober 20, 2017 at 9:30 AM
A beautiful, cheerful page! Love the strong colours. I think that whatever works for you is the right way to do it. I have been drawing every day now for the last three weeks for Inktober. I was afraid that I wouldn't know what to draw on most days, so I made a little list of subject in the back of the sketchbook to get back to if I needed an idea. I find that one idea leads to the next, and if I really can't think of anything one evening, I just draw something that's lying around.
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ChristineOctober 20, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Wow, beautifully inspired piece!
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Linda KunsmanOctober 20, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Love the vibrant colors of your journal spread! Happy PPF!
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Gillena CoxOctober 20, 2017 at 10:33 AM
Luv your happy Colours
Happy PPF

much love...
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dentheOctober 20, 2017 at 4:55 PM
I think a lot of people get inspired this way. I know I do. Nothing wrong with that! I love the happy, bright colours you used. Makes me happy to look at it :-)
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Confuzzled ShannonOctober 20, 2017 at 7:29 PM
Wonderful images that came out of artist block.
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Mona PendletonOctober 21, 2017 at 12:01 AM
Beautiful journal artwork! So bright and cheerful! Love the big bold flower! Happy PPF :)
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GigglesOctober 21, 2017 at 8:21 AM
Love the gorgeous colours you used! I change from manual painting to digital using squiggles to start the find shapes. Often I have to wait for creative urges to hit. Meantime I do something completely different. I think always comes back eventually!

Peace Giggles
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DVArtistOctober 21, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Inspiration is different for everyone. I love what you did here. Looks warm and bold.
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Irene RafaelOctober 22, 2017 at 11:51 AM
Hello, I love readying your story! I am glad that art has become a part of your life.
~~ Irene
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AnonymousNovember 21, 2017 at 7:09 PM
Beautiful! I love your interpretation! --Chandra
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please share your insights.

THE JOURNEY

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could

The Dark Night Of The Soul
By Saint John of the Cross
Translated by A.Z. Foreman

Songs of the soul rejoicing at having achieved the high state of perfection, the Union with God, by way of spiritual negation.

Once in the dark of night,
Inflamed with love and wanting, I arose
(O coming of delight!)
And went, as no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose

All in the dark went right,
Down secret steps, disguised in other clothes,
(O coming of delight!)
In dark when no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose.

And in the luck of night
In secret places where no other spied
I went without my sight
Without a light to guide
Except the heart that lit me from inside.

It guided me and shone
Surer than noonday sunlight over me,
And lead me to the one
Whom only I could see
Deep in a place where only we could be.

O guiding dark of night!
O dark of night more darling than the dawn!
O night that can unite
A lover and loved one,
Lover and loved one moved in unison.

And on my flowering breast
Which I had kept for him and him alone
He slept as I caressed
And loved him for my own,
Breathing an air from redolent cedars blown.

And from the castle wall
The wind came down to winnow through his hair
Bidding his fingers fall,
Searing my throat with air
And all my senses were suspended there.

I stayed there to forget.
There on my lover, face to face, I lay.
All ended, and I let
My cares all fall away
Forgotten in the lilies on that day.