Oh but I haven't been idle. Just the opposite in fact. I've been in my studio doing quite a lot of things, filling my creative well as they say.
I do not count myself an artist. Certainly not an artist the way Georgia O'Keeffe is an artist. But I can be inspired by her, or maybe prompted is a better word for it. As I was when I read this quote by her . . .
"I said to myself, I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me - shapes and ideas so near to me - so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn't occurred to me to put them down. I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught."
Wow what that must be like. To have ideas all your own. So original that you don't even know you are original. I cannot say that I even fully relate to what she is saying. Her artistic realm is so far above my own. But I can tuck these words of hers somewhere inside and recall them now and then. Just to remind me that it's okay to create in a way that others do not expect of you. To scrape everything off the table and pull from within and what is speaking there, you know?
So good to "hear" from you! I was just thinking this morning, "I sure do miss Rebecca." {smile} Your posts are always so inspiring.
Posted by: Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} | 27 August 2008 at 12:22
I love this entry, Rebecca. And that necklace is simply gorgeous. I love the quote, too. I treasure the moments where I have creative thoughts that feel as if they are original. But I also have this sense of camaraderie when I see a similar idea from someone I don't know, yet she thought of hers as original as well. It's the whole creativity connection. To me, it's not if it's original or not. It's the feeling that it gives you to create something on your own.
Have a wonderful day. :)
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Stewart | 27 August 2008 at 12:35
That's a beautiful necklace, Rebecca. Also, enjoyed the quote. Georgia O'Keefe is one of my very favorite artists. She certainly was a woman ahead of her time and her talent's were,indeed,original.
Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn Mallin | 27 August 2008 at 12:45
yes, yes...i think with technology its so easy to be influenced by others, but can you imagine vast expanses of time with only your own thoughts and the images of nature around you to inspire you (whenever we drive through O'Keefe country, i always imaging saying 'stop the car' and just getting out and wandering those hillsides just like i imagine she did ~ powerful to be sure)...i think we all have that kind of artist inside of us and we can strip away what we have been 'taught' to find a voice that is uniquely our own...that said...i always find your work fresh and original! xo...glad to see a glimpse of what you've been up to!
Posted by: Heather Bradley | 27 August 2008 at 14:50
Welcome back! You've been missed. Hope your artistic well is full. I love being inspired by the things you create!
Posted by: psmullican | 27 August 2008 at 15:56
I love that idea!!! Strip everything away and create from what you see and feel.
Posted by: Rachel Saunders | 27 August 2008 at 17:37
That's funny, because that's how I feel about you, Rebecca. That your artistic realm is so far above my own...
Thanks for being an inspiration
Posted by: leslie | 27 August 2008 at 20:13
Very inspiring, both the necklace and the quote!Love your thought too-"that it's okay to create in a way that others do not expect of you", a secret delight of mine-hehe!
~Amber
Posted by: Amber | 27 August 2008 at 20:35
wonderful, rich advice!
i am inspired anew!
thank you!
xoxo
Posted by: Kim | 27 August 2008 at 22:24
I really agree with Leslie...you truly are an artist, Rebecca! An original who doesn't realize it; you inspire so many of us!
Posted by: Leah C | 28 August 2008 at 08:36
Rebecca, you are an artist though! And your creations strike a chord in me, as well as others, to create! Your a teacher as well as an artist, thank you!
Posted by: Julie B. | 28 August 2008 at 09:25
My 6-year-old often comes up with really creative drawings and collages, and when I ask her how she thought of doing something a certain way, she tells me she has a box in her head full of ideas.
This is the first time I've heard anyone else mention original ideas in their head.
Thanks for the quote!
Posted by: Corene | 29 August 2008 at 14:28
I love the clarity of all the pictures you take of your projects. What camera do you use?
It is good to be reading your blog again!
Posted by: Jen | 31 August 2008 at 17:44
I hear this too Rebecca. I hear it on the faces of people who see my created things and don't know what "to do" with them. I try to keep creating despite the reception because deep in my heart I have a need to create. I am unable to be whole without it. And there are those times when that one special someone encounters something I've made and they totally get it, they get me. A beautiful reminder that we are not alone.
Posted by: Kas | 13 September 2008 at 10:52