What/who inspires you?

[SunnyJon]

I guess I get inspiration everywhere but most recently I got some major inspiration from a $2.00 book I got at a rummage sale called Marcel Duhamp by Gloria Moure. It really inspired me to do a more thought provoking abstract piece of sculpture. I know this is the photo forum but inspiration is inspiration. Anyway here's what I was inspired to create.
I'd love to hear about some of your inspirations and see what the result was!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2003/10869-Image061.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2003/10869-Image060.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2003/10869-Image063.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2003/10869-Image062.jpg

[Ozzie]

Nice work Sunny. Love the texture and color.

Ya know me, not much into abstract, more tradionalist and thus would prefer it without the ball.

You are certainly thinking out of the box!

Ozzie

[jsr88]

This is a gorgeous sculpture, Sunny. The only thing I'd change is the base you placed it on to take the shots. The straight lines of the wood and its grain distracts my eye from the sculpture...and takes away the mystery of size for me. I'd love to have seen this one sitting on a rock or maybe even on a bed of sand.

:clap: ~ SUPER WORK!!! ~ :clap:

As for insipiration...it's the "day" that inspires me. Sometimes it's the clear blue sky...sometimes, like this morning, it's the fog and the mysterious "feel" it gives to the landscape. Sometimes, there's just no denying the pull. But today...well...there are other things to do beside enjoying it. :D

Thanks for the thread...VERY good idea!

[sheilsoft]

Sunny,

Excellent question...

I recently had a browse through an old Andy Warhol book, and was reminded how way ahead of his time he was.

Anyway, here's a little poster I did with an image of my wife, with more than a little nod in Mr Warhol's direction...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2003/23557-redsheil.jpg

Regards,

Howard

[SunnyJon]

Ozzie-I guess I do understand your feeling about abstract because I used to feel that way but you're avoiding answering the question.
Julie-It's funny you should say that as I bought white sand to stand these recent sculpts in. Great minds think alike! I love where you get your inspiration as I too am inspired by the day often-sometimes the weather-sometimes a friend in the day but mostly I am inspired by all that touches my life I guess! Some things/people more than others.Maybe it's about timing....

Howard-I love what you've done to the wife & can definitely see where you got your inspiration! Now she doesn't think you've pidgeon-holed her does she? LOL! I like the soft focus of these-gives me the idea you are a little old softy when it comes to the wife! Really looks like she inspires you as much as Andy did!
:clap: :D :cool: :clap:

[sheilsoft]

Sunny,

OK, you're absolutely right there...

a) I am a big softy, and

b) My wife is my biggest inspiration... and always will be. :)

See what I mean... big softy!

Regards,

Howard

[marilyn h]

What wonderful creations! Inspiration is a source to all creativity. Imagination, is what gives us life. I believe all of these are one.

Love the scuplture and the andy warhol creations. Love comes through them both.

[samn]

I find abstractions the hardest image to do successfully. The old joke about throwing paint onto a canvas simply is not true. I push myself toward abstractions frequently, but in my own style. I try not to influence myself with others work. It is good for others to do but not for me as I find myself copying style and I contantly strive to define my own.

[Margie L]

Very interesting--At first I thought that it was two sculptures but...it is one with many aspects. Love your work. You are an inspiration to me!

[SunnyJon]

Originally posted by mimaL
Very interesting--At first I thought that it was two sculptures but...it is one with many aspects. Love your work. You are an inspiration to me!

You are very dear to say that. But who/what really inspires you?

I try not to influence myself with others work. It is good for others to do but not for me as I find myself copying style and I contantly strive to define my own.

Sam-I hope you don't think I have adapted Duchamps style. I just read his theories about abstraction & it helped me to better understand it & his work! I was inspired to create a more thought provoking abstract. I tend to abstract my photos to the nth degree of ambiguity and maybe the viewer can see many things but are they thought provoking-I don't know. I think this piece is.

Thank you both for commenting but you didn't show me the results of your inspiration!C'mon?:D :clap: :clap: :clap:

[samn]

OK, OK, I have to admit to closet peeking at others work. This one was inspired by Spanish Pop Artist Carlos Rios, but I havn't done it since, trust me :D
No Sunnyjohn, I understood exactly what you were saying. Very nice work.

[Pam_R]

Sunny, it's people like you, and others on this forum who inspire me :) Anyone who looks at the world from a different, unique perspective. Your wonderful two-sided horse/woman sculpture inspires me to look at the world anew.

One of my current inspirations in photography is Daryl Benson. He is an excellent photographer who is enthusiastically embracing digital photography and using it to further his photographic expression, unlike many others who are moving into the digital realm only because they can no longer swim against the current that is quickly moving past them. Those photographers are shooting digital with an old school "film" mentality. You've probably seen the type on some of the photo sites, proudly proclaiming their images have not been "altered" in any way save for "sharpening and a bit of levels", or some other such nonsense.

As an example, if you've seen the current crop of wildlife/nature photos, they all have the same look. Ultra-sharp, super-telephoto shots of wildlife drenched in the beautiful golden tones of a waning sun. Very nice, very pretty and very common. Take a look at Daryl's animal shots. They have atmosphere, personality, humor, grace and much more. They have become art.

He has a creative, imaginative eye and does not bind himself with "rules". I try to remember his advice when I shoot - "Always drink upstream from the herd."

Check out his galleries for a glimpse of the future of photography:
http://www.darylbenson.com/


Pam

[SunnyJon]

Sam-Sans small confession I wouldn't have seen this marvelous work-I'm thrilled! It is wonderful! I have never seen Carlos's work but now I will look for some! I would really say he inspired you!:clap: :D

Pam-I thank you for the link & your kind words. He's terrific! I bookmarked it & love his work & will be spending some more enjoyable time there! Let me see what you have done through his inspiration-one good example & keep drinking upstream!LOL!:D :clap:

[BeyondTheNineSquares]

Hello! Glad I found this thread. I've not been doing much photography since my vacation, since I came back inspired to do all sorts of other art.

I almost decided not to answer the question, since my answer seems so cliche, but nature inspires me. In particular, our wonderful world and all that in it. I don't find the rainy days all that depressing, either - as long as we do get some break in the weather pattern! Soon, please?

Anyway, I take lots of pictures to use in future drawing and painting and pastel projects, not to mention just for the art and joy of the photography itself. Most recently I found the Blue Ridge Mountains quite in inspiration! We drove the Parkway for hours and I never tired of it!

I also have been known to spend quite a while in state parks and have been observed to take lots of pictures of trees and flowers and even weeds, and most especially any body of water that I happen to find!

[marc]

Nice site, thanks Pam :)

Originally posted by Pam_R

One of my current inspirations in photography is Daryl Benson. He is an excellent photographer who is enthusiastically embracing digital photography and using it to further his photographic expression, unlike many others who are moving into the digital realm only because they can no longer swim against the current that is quickly moving past them. Those photographers are shooting digital with an old school "film" mentality. You've probably seen the type on some of the photo sites, proudly proclaiming their images have not been "altered" in any way save for "sharpening and a bit of levels", or some other such nonsense.

As an example, if you've seen the current crop of wildlife/nature photos, they all have the same look. Ultra-sharp, super-telephoto shots of wildlife drenched in the beautiful golden tones of a waning sun. Very nice, very pretty and very common.


Oh I dunno.. those product shots you refer to have always been made by unimaginative photographers, as well as professional photographers hired by agencies to create such shots for them (although one's person thread-of-the-mill is another person's masterpiece). IMHO it's not really a matter of film vs digital, it's a matter of seeing and inspiration. I have seen so many powerful photos all created with film, and many recent ones shot digitally. As long as one is not cutting and pasting in photoshop it's still a matter of seeing the scene and letting light onto the sensor.. silver or silicon, it's still photons running through the glass. What digital does is provide more freedom to experiment, but the heart and soul of the photo is still inside the photographer. To me, it's a bit like drawing with a digital pen (wacom) vs a traditional. The digital allows more immediate freedom, but in the end it's still me and my hand producing the picture. In my opinion a master photographer can create masterpieces with any camera - even a $10 disposable.

Just in case I'm getting myself into a debate here, I personally grew up creating computer graphics and have loved digital photography from the beginning. Part of the reason I've held off getting a cheap film slr for a long time is that I've wanted to save for a digital. I hate film, but that doesn't mean I can't shoot some ok shots with it ;)

[photographer45]

I've been mosting influenced by my Uncle Bob, in Denver. I first met him when he was dating my mom's youngest sister. His medium then was painting. His painting partially funded his college education, but after he began working as an architect, he found too little time for painting, and picked up a camera instead. He is now probably my favorite photographer. He is so inspiring to me. Here's one of his photographs he took a couple of years ago while in Provence (France).

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Aug-2003/6660-bobs_mist_web.jpg

[SunnyJon]

The digital allows more immediate freedom, but in the end it's still me and my hand producing the picture. In my opinion a master photographer can create masterpieces with any camera - even a $10 disposable.

Marc-No argument here! I know of a sculptor who uses nothing but phone books to create -pretty cool art! I love innovative, avante-garde stuff myself-you know artists who push the envelope or try new media in newer methods-experimental stuff!
I guess art is in the eye of the artist not just the beholder! So Marc-who/what inspires you to do what?

Buttons-I'm glad you found it too! Not at all cliche! I loved the Blue Ridge Parkway! Isn't it the most beautiful place?!! I'm enviuos as it's been many years since I've been in those mtns. but I remember the cool clear streams & wild growing Rhododendrons the size of huge trees! Thanks for the memory girl now where's the result of that recent inspiration-any pics or other creations-like poetry or something else? Hint, Hint_no more hints, I wanna see!

He is so inspiring to me. Here's one of his photographs he took a couple of years ago while in Provence (France).

MaryJane-I love this pic! I have always wanted to go to France(Provence is one of the places) & I don't care what anyone says, I still want to go...but I've always wanted to see everthing-everywhere! So where are the results of Uncle Bob's inspiration? Or is it one of those he's generally inspired you to photography and art in general? I never did see any of those pics from the lake vacation did I??!

Thanks for playing along everyone!:D :clap:

[photographer45]

Ah, SJ...you caught me. No, I never did get around to posting pics from our vacation. And, in truth, I did get some beautiful shots at a place we'd never stopped at before.

Yes, he has inspired me in general. Being around his paintings (he painted abstract/modern oils) from such an early age taught me to appreciate more than Renoir. Yes, I LOVE Renoir, but I grew up loving modern art as well.

Personally, I've always been more into photographing people, while he has never enjoyed portrait photography. Therefore, I cover my walls in portraits of my kids, and his nature photos.

[BeyondTheNineSquares]

Sunny, since you asked so nicely I'm attaching a (tremble tremble) picture of my FIRST EVER painting done in oil pastels! It was inspired by the lovely trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a closer look at one of the paintings in the photo I posted in the daily today!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Aug-2003/11269-resized_blue_ridge_pastel_1.JPG

[SunnyJon]

Aren't you silly! Nothing to tremble about here! I love the silhouetted waterfowl very nice! And I see that B.R.Parkway with it's hazy mtns. in the bg!:D :cool: :clap: :clap: Sounds like it wouldn't take too much convincing to get you to move to the Carolinas!:D :cool: :clap: :clap:

[Pam_R]

[Sunny:
"Let me see what you have done through his inspiration-one good example & keep drinking upstream!"

Wow, that's a tall order, Sunny! I think I have yet to fully absorb his philosophy and have it become second nature to me, but if I had to choose one that comes closest, it would have to be "Gulls". This was a pre-planned image from the start, as I wanted a different kind of gull shot:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Aug-2003/19209-Gulls-sm.jpg

Marc:
"IMHO it's not really a matter of film vs digital, it's a matter of seeing and inspiration."

Yes, you're absolutely right, Marc. Sorry to have traipsed off on a rant :) My concern was/is mostly with those photogs who pooh-pooh any image that has had more than a "bit of sharpening and a touch of levels" applied. But I agree with you completely!

Pam

[BeyondTheNineSquares]

Sunny, it sure wouldn't take much but my Mom's health would coldn't handle the long hot summer, and my folks (who now live in my home with me) are a treasured responsibility. One of these days, though. Meanwhile I have a great life here and a great vacation spot (with a guest room at Wally's Mom's house that is always there for me)

Thanks for your kind words! The egret sil. pic was just to give me something that didn't matter so I could try fixative and not ruin the big ones, but people in the pastel forum have now convinced me that it's too risky and oil pastels aren't as fragile as the more chalky soft pastels, so I think I'll mat and frame my work and keep them out of direct sunlight!

[marc]

Sunny - life inspires me.. I never have difficulties finding inspiration. To me, it's the catalyst that is often lacking. That is, I almost only create pics as a means of communications, not just for myself. But I need specific people to communicate with, that's my catalyst :)

Pam - hey, I love a good rant. :D I agree on the puritanism part, as most people know Ansel Adams was one of the biggest darkroom artists out there, and had he been alive today he'd be photoshopping all over the place.. I think it'll always be the artist and not the tool. Digital just encourages people to be braver I think. The funny thing with digital manipulation is that there are three groups of photos I think. One that's the 'press' photo which is supposed to get as close to the objective truth as possible. One that's the completely imaginative where it may as well be a painting. And then the middle bit that is usually *expected* to be reasonably 'truthful', but by the nature of photography the truth is always just out of reach and in the eye of the beholder.

[SunnyJon]

Pam-I love this shot! It's better in the larger version at pbase. I love the way you've captured the arm-almost sculptural very fine definition! I can see hte inspiration in this and I thought in the Yosemite one also!:D :cool: :clap:

Sunny - life inspires me.. I never have difficulties finding inspiration.
Isn't that wonderful about being an artist I too find inspiration everywhere! Sometimes I can't keep up! :D But I still haven't seen one of your inspiration results! Pretty please with cherries on top? Is that catalyst?:D :clap:

[BeyondTheNineSquares]

Boy, sunny, you sure are correct about inspiration being everywhere. I was sitting at my desk at work looking out the window - trying to stay awake since there wasn't much to do and I found myself sleepily staring at the flag out the window and not really seeing anything, then I felt led to write a poem that the waving flag inspired. Another time it was a worn out old box in the cellar that was falling apart, but had my Nana's handwriting on it. People who are closed to creative persuits wonder how profound things happen and tend to assume that inspiration comes only from some grand once in lifetime event. I find the events in my everyday life plenty grand much of the time!

[marc]

Hi Sunny,

I don't post my regular stuff on wetcanvas, only my 'learning to draw and paint' stuff and now also a few snaps when I can steal a cam ;) .. so I don't really have any of my pics to offer that are strongly inspired (usually by people).

Here's probably what comes closest to what you're asking: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106230 - I was inspired by a colour combination in one of Dahzl's pics and wanted to make something to complement it.. it ended up in a very different direction though.

[OhThatGirl2001]

Sunny - I'd first like to commend you on your wonderful scultures. Diversity and perspective is what makes us individuals.

I would also like to thank you for posting such a thought provoking thread. I am thoroughly enjoying reading everyone's comments.

For me... my inspiration comes from within. I admire other photographer's work.... but I think what makes the pictures that stand out in my mind different from the rest... is their uniqueness, which I feel can only come from the individual that took the picture. For example: I could post a thread that had a theme and everyone was to take a picture of the same theme - yes, skill would be part of this, however... I believe perspective would be the most important element. So I believe inspiration starts from within first.

Lisa

[Rich]

Originally posted by mimaL
Very interesting--At first I thought that it was two sculptures but...it is one with many aspects. Love your work.

I have to admit...I did too! Nice work Sunny!

My inspiration for Photography came from Ansel Adams back in the 70's. My art inspiration came from Bob Ross. Many artist won't admit that though:D , but I thought he was a terrific painter. I have since moved from oil to watercolor and what I have learned has come from many books and some blood, sweat, and tears! I use mostly my own photos for reference now. I am in the process of painting a watercolor of an eagle with purple mountains in the BG and a lake in the foreground.

[SunnyJon]

Marc-nice abstract! Love all the movement in it-nice fluidity!Thanks ! Now I feel like a catalyst(a little bit)! I understand your hesitation on public forums...

I believe perspective would be the most important element. So I believe inspiration starts from within first.

Lisa-Wasn't it Renoir & Manet that sat next to one another on the river bank & turned out two very different paintings of the very same scene? So yes I can see that perspective is an inner thing and for some inspiration can come from within. Seeing what you've been through recently I can indeed understand the introspection resulting in some phenomenal inspiration-you inspired me! :D :clap: You didn't post an example! :(

Rich-I used to watch Bob Ross! "I'll just put a happy little cloud in here!":D Unfortunately I can't paint anyway! Now Ansel is a different story and I have a book of his photography that I do indeed gain inspiration from when I look at it. So let's see some of your inspired Ross or Adams work!:D

BTns- I can just see your lil' sleepy self popping eyes open when the words hit ya! :D

Edited to add my thanks for your lovely comments on my work! And to add-isn't it funny that I had to coax examples from such wondeful & prolific artists as yourself!? And why is it more haven't commited to being inspired by something? Thanks for taling part in this thread!:clap: :cool: :D

[BeyondTheNineSquares]

Sunny that's exactly how it sometimes happens! The transition from looking and not seeing to looking as an artist does and really seeing things in a whole new way always amazes me! I want everyone to experience it! If I can't talk them into opening their eyes, I hope that I can inspire them by what they feel in response to my art. It's something I just have to share. I can't keep it to myself!