Outward Inspiration

            Inspiration is a fleeting, intangible quality that all artists, at some point in their careers, struggle to find. Setting out to create something seems easy enough. Just make something. Right?

            We have been told that we should look within ourselves. Art is something we as humans use to express ourselves. We all have emotions, comments on our own experiences. So creating something that is inspired by our inner selves shouldn’t be so difficult to express those experiences.

            Yet, we still struggle. We can spend hours staring at a blank page, pencil at the ready. But nothing gets from our heart to the page. So, like all good resourceful people. We look to somewhere else for inspiration. The world around us is vast and complex. Filled with unique people and experiences that also evoke emotion, thus, a creation. Sometimes an unexpected material is all the inspiration we need. As artists and designers we have the unique ability and opportunity to explore the world around us in our own ways. We are allowed and encouraged to look outside the typical uses of things. Sometimes this adventuresome quality brings a success, and sometimes it doesn’t. No matter what the result though, everything we produce can be learned from.

             A story of success is one of my favorite artists, Chris Gilmour, takes his medium to its limit and calls attention to the most ordinary of objects in our world. What most people consider a simply utilitarian object, meant to carry or protect more precious objects, was the source for something special. He creates amazing and magnificently detailed replicas of everyday objects out of simple cardboard.  Some is recycled, other parts, are purchased new. But, he always makes a point of showing clearly that he is using cardboard. The original labeling and print is visible in many places on his work. A constant reminder of the simple inspiration.

Here are some images of his work from his website. I highly suggest going and checking out other works he has done. Also the works in progress are mind-blowing. http://www.chrisgilmour.com/en.opere.html