Day: September 27, 2013

Finding Inspiration

This is a companion post to Pam’s Hip to be a Square podcast episode #148 where she and I talked about finding inspiration.

You won’t find inspiration unless you look and actually see what is around you. The texture of a building that was not a blip on your radar yesterday may inspire you today. In the podcast we talked about finding inspiration at a quilt show. Listen to find my tips about that.

Some examples of where to find inspiration:

  • junk mail
  • billboards
  • sidewalk cracks
  • what is around you on your walk to work? new flower springing up int he parking lot planter? Building decorated for the holidays?
  • glossy magazine ads.
  • Look at the CPP posts (yes, I had to throw that in)

Once you find inspiration, here are some things to do:

  • take a photo
  • make a drawing, rubbing or other kind of sketch
  • create your own personal 365 project where you look at the same statue, building, public art, fountain or parking garage every day.
  • Take a photo (or draw) and compare the photos (or drawings) you have taken over time (a Flickr set is good for this). What has changed? How is the light different? Do the colors change with the seasons? How does your artifact look in the rain?
  • What is it you like about the piece? Color? Shape? Pattern?

After this, it is a good time to translate your inspiration into a quilt. Use the essence of the inspiration, you don’t have to make a replica. Use what you like to make something reminiscent of your inspiration.

Creative Prompt #227: Blossom

TV Series

vegan restaurant in NYC

apple blossoms

Statistical software

Blossom magazine by Amy Butler

Blossom Music Center – Ohio

floral design studio in Brooklyn, NY

Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery

Lulu Blossom skincare

Burning Blossom (item in World of Warcraft)

Blossom is a non profit charity organization that empowers youth by providing important and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

The Blossom by William Blake
Merry, merry sparrow!
Under leaves so green
A happy blossom
Sees you, swift as arrow,
Seek your cradle narrow,
Near my bosom.
Pretty, pretty robin!
Under leaves so green
A happy blossom
Hears you sobbing, sobbing,
Pretty, pretty robin,
Near my bosom.

watching someone blossom

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

Definition: “In botany, blossom is a term given to the flowers of stone fruit trees (genus Prunus) and of some other plants with a similar appearance that flower profusely for a period of time in spring. Colloquially flowers of orange are referred to as such as well. Peach (including nectarine) blossoms, most cherry blossoms, and some almond blossoms are usually pink. Plum blossoms, apple blossoms, orange blossoms, some cherry blossoms, and most almond blossoms are white.

Blossoms provide pollen to pollinators such as bees, and initiate cross-pollination necessary for the trees to reproduce by producing fruit.

Blossom trees have a tendency to lose their flower petals in wind-blown cascades, often covering the surrounding ground in petals. This attribute tends to distinguish blossom trees from other flowering trees.” (Wikipedia)