Out of Thin Air

by MMCA Marketplace member Elaine Brady Smith

I have been thinking about artistic ideas and where they come from for artists. I have been asked by many viewing my artwork “where do you get your ideas?” Most of the time I just shrug and give the simple answer “they just come to me”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Realistically, doing artwork is a process, a history, a constant learning, always practicing, ever playing, and accidental discovering. Some days it comes easy and the ideas and work flow out like liquid chocolate over nougat. I love those days! Some days are very labor intensive, try the same process twelve times, throw your hands up in the air and come back tomorrow. No one hopes for those days.

The most common misconception about artists is that we dream art up right out of our heads. The ideas, creativity, and talent just come to us “out of thin air”. I must confess, that I am not, and never have been one of those artists. Art is the process for me, it always has been. And some days the process is more intense than others.

Artists are observers, some by nature and some by training. We are all constantly observing our environment for clues of art. We are looking at the shadow play on the sidewalk. We are noticing the particular color of the trees and sky at dawn. We find interest in peeling paint on the side of a barn door. We are constantly looking for that clue that will spark an idea for the next work of art. After many years of training our eyes and mind to “see” it becomes our intrinsic nature to “know” when we see something of interest, something that we can use to our advantage to make our artwork sing.

As an artist, you can find many ways to keep the creative ideas flowing. I am constantly sketching, doodling, and writing ideas in the many journals and notebooks that I have strategically placed around the house. You never know where or when an idea will strike. I also find that being with other artists, like-minded people, is extremely stimulating for me. I take many classes and workshops, and always keep an open mind to new ideas and new ways to work old ideas. An even greater tool is the Internet. You can find artists of every medium online and view their work, even join groups that allow you to chat about art. MMCA is an excellent example of great groups online. http://www.mixedmediacollageartists.com. Local museums and galleries are a plus if you live near a metropolitan area. Never pass up the opportunity to view art up close and in person. It makes a huge difference!

To sum this up, I recently found the “Top 10 Creative Rules of Thumb” from Charles Chic Thompson:

1. The best way to get great ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away. 2. Create ideas that are 15 minutes ahead of their time...not light years ahead.
3. Always look for a second right answer.
4. If at first you don't succeed, take a break.
5. Write down your ideas before you forget them.
6. If everyone says you are wrong, you're one step ahead. If everyone laughs at you, you're two steps ahead.
7. The answer to your problem "pre-exists." You need to ask the right question to reveal the answer.
8. When you ask a dumb question, you get a smart answer.
9. Never solve a problem from its original perspective.
10. Visualize your problem as solved before solving it."

So let’s get your creative thinking going and the ideas flowing!!!

Elaine Brady Smith

Comments

[sue pieper]

Great article, Elaine! I have to agree, some days are easier than others and some are just simply a challenge. You have to know when to walk away and when to keep at it, but to never give up. I love the idea about having sketchbooks or journals placed all over the house, will have to borrow that idea. There's never anything to write on when I get a good idea, and sometimes it's gone by the time I find pen & paper:)

[Kris]

Wonderfully inspiring article!

[Debbie Overton]

Elaine, great article! Thanks so much! Debbie

[patsy reeves]

Elaine....Very nice article!!! Thank you for sharing that. This hasn't happened to me in a while, but last night I dreamed of a new collage style (new to my work) and am off to the studio to have a go at bringing this vision to life! I'm excited and thankful for the dream gift.
Patsy

[Elaine Brady Smith]

Patsy,
Oh you lucky girl! I would love to have that dream!!!