JANIS COMMENTZ California Painter
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Classes Online
    • Links & Commissions
  • Nature
  • Figures
  • Paper Goods
  • Gallery
  • Gallery 2021 - JanisCommentz
  • Product
Picture
Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Ink and Watercolor on paper

In need of Inspiration?

8/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Henri Matisse, Le Chat Aux Poissons Rouges 1914, (The Cat With Red Fishes)
​…August…vacation…back to school…seeking to escape heat….
For most, we are seriously seeking inspiration.
 
What moves, propels, encourages, excites, helps you develop and sharpen senses?  What awakens, kindles, invigorates, amuses and delights?  This can be a tall order, but sometimes, if you can find even ONE of the above in your art practice, you have found a treasure.
​WHERE I Go
I find wisdom when I turn to Scripture to start my day.  Inspiration is often like kind words spoken. “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 You may be familiar with Grace Noll Crowell’s lovely 1950 poem inspired by that verse:
Oh, to speak so fitly
That my words my be
Like bright golden apples
On a silver tree!
 
Oh, to write so wisely
That some hungering one
May reach and pluck that fruitage
Shining in the sun!
 
 
Beautiful craftsmanship, elegant carving, music and poetry are all praised in scripture. Inspiration is often like kind words spoken to your soul.
My mother's autographed copy - from poet best friend, Esther York Burkholder
​Lately, I like to read a bit of poetry—especially by some of my local friends.  Noreen Lawlor’ poetry is filled with wisdom and often humor.  Poet Cynthia Anderson, acclaimed for her perceptive reflections about nature, teamed up with watercolorist Susan Abbott in Now Voyager.  
​Even my Facebook and Instagram feeds are fill with artists, writers, dancers, musicians and more.
I know the visual artists whose work generally makes me want to get out my paintbrushes...Matisse, Picasso, Redon, and many contemporary artists. Hover to see artists and titles. You can see I draw inspiration from many sources.
​​To WHOM do you turn for inspiration to pursue the creative process?
I am grateful to meet regularly with a group of women painters to discuss art trends, review each other’s new work, encourage and occasionally exhibit together. I wish I had a photo of our last very animated gathering.

Finding your GENES
Were certain relatives in your family tree especially inspirational?   Did you have grandfather who danced?  A great aunt who recited poetry or inspired you in some way?  Find out more about their legacy.  Imagine how excited they might be to share their artform with you!
Picture
I could not resist: my grandfather, whom I never met, in a production of Firebird during high school I have always loved modern dance.
 
Setting the SCENE
Consider which time of day inspiration most often visits you. If it’s not your “creative” season, pretend it is—seek autumn colors and poetry, find winter glow in candles and cool colors…you get the idea!
Create a gathering to share —host a coffee or meet in an inspiring setting. Attend a concert or play. Visit an art gallery. Invite friends to play musical instruments, paint, write random poetry ~ so many options
 
Finding the WORDS
 
…from philosophy, painting and theater….
 
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”
Aristotle
 
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso
 
“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul”
George Bernard Shaw
 
 
You know who are your muses and encouragers? Seek them out!  Gather with them.  Drink in inspiration as you would a cool summer thirst-quencher.
And most important…encouragement and inspiration are generated when you give it back. Encourage other artists.  Even if it just means giving a child a crayon and paper!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Janis Commentz

    Note:   As our lives have been shaken by COVID 19, I invite you to check into my blog for encouragement and creative activities.  Be well. May God keep you safe.
     ~Janis




       Thank you to the many who have visited my website!  In my blog I share my art, insights and techniques.  I welcome comments and questions.
           I was fortunate to have an artist mother and uncle and to be surrounded by art materials from an early age. However, I strongly believe that the creative habit and skills can be developed at any age.  
           I love encouraging new artists! I continue to teach workshops for children and adults.
       Are you an art patron?
       An artist? (Including writers, musicians, actors, dancers)
       An aspiring creative?
       I invite you to check in often!

      Would you like to sign up for my blog / newsletter?

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Archives by Date

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    Looking Back ~ Click on
    Bloglinks

    Titles/Content

    -Greetings from the Mojave Desert
    -Winter Light  and Elevating Your Mood!
    -Creativity and Cost
    -What do you know about color? 
    -Creating in an out-of-sync world
    -Intention and Composition
    -Passion (on Valentine's Day) for the Arts
    -
    Believable Mojave Greens
    -Intention and Composition
    -
    In the mood to paint...besides inspiration what do I need?
    -With the winds, comes the inspiration for change!
    -
    Wondering About Workshops?  Jumpstart Your Practice or Jump In!
    ​
    -A Digital Leap
    ​-Blue Colored Glasses
    -New Class at the Desert Institute
    -New Media and Video
    ​
    -Travel Inspiration

    -Scheduling Creative Time
    -Letting go...and finding creativity....
    -October Opportunities
    -Holiday Cheer Through Creativity: Beating Stress and Creative Gifts 

    -Looking Back at 2018
    -Stay Creative Through the Holidays!
    -Resolve or Restore?
    -Rock Scrambling Through Winter
    -Drawing on Your Observations
    -Pondering Early Favorites
    ​-Summer Nurturing

    -In need of Inspiration?
    -Making a Thankfulness Bridge
    ​
    -December Greetings!
    ​-News for 2020
    -Nurturing Your Creative Vitality

    -Online Shop: French Press
    ​
    -A Work in Progress: Encouragement
    ​-
    Art During the Health Crisis

    ​

    All

    RSS Feed

Contact:  janis@janiscommentz.com                                                                                                                                                          All images by Janis Commentz


  • Home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Classes Online
    • Links & Commissions
  • Nature
  • Figures
  • Paper Goods
  • Gallery
  • Gallery 2021 - JanisCommentz
  • Product