Tuesday, May 17, 2011

INSPIRATION WALL

Okay, for some reason there is a fire under my ass right now. I am feeling alive and inspired, which is STARK contrast to the way my boyfriend & some of my friends are feeling. There is a lot going on around me, good and bad, but for once it isn't altering my mood. In fact its making me feel sort of appreciative, inspired & focused.

In times past, I've always been greatly affected by my friends' & family's mood. But lately, it hasn't. Maybe I've learned to block some of it and really focus on myself.

Woke up wanting to cook! Lately, I haven't had much of a need to cook...been buying food out and just throwing away food containers, which is MUCH more convenient than having to wash dishes. So that pretty much told me something...my mo jo is back!

There are days when I CRAVE ART! Today is one of those days.

As of 4 months ago, I've been working as the Art Coordinator to the Boys & Girls Club in Port Hueneme, Ca. Its a coastal city right next to Oxnard, where I grew up. This was the oldest Boys & Girls Club in this part of Ventura County, so old in fact that this was called The Boys Club, before they incorporated "Girls" in the name.

I love my job! I really do, but there is a lack of refinement that I am looking for, or maybe its NOT refinement, because I wouldnt really describe the kind of art I like as refined but there is a degree of difficulty and sophistication that the art I like has that, art made by kids does not have. But I do appreciate the creativity and off the wall madness that children have that most adults DO NOT. But nothing replaces being able to look & view art that is made by artist who have the same passion as you do.

So, I went on one of my FAVORITE websites of all time, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/. What I love about this site is its a place for you to see the homes of many different kinds of people, some are artists and designers, architects & some are just regular people who have a strong interest in home decor. Its a lucious thing to be able to view the homes of others and draw inspiration from what you see. Sometimes you can "borrow" ideas and sometimes you come up with your own based on what you see. If you've NEVER seen this site, YOU HAVE TO! It will change your life.

Today I saw this incredible house tour by Amy Butler ( http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/amy-and-davids-creative-textile-labhouse-tour-145530 ). OMG! I think its a great home! Just like Amy I love natural elements (wood, metal, shells, stone) & LOADS of color and patterns! She is a woman after my own heart! Both her and her husband are creative & it just makes me warm inside to know that there are successful couples who manage to live and work together in a beautiful fusion of style! I saw how she hung some great prints & textures on her wall, most likely an inspiration wall and it really turned me on! Her husband had his own sort of inspiration wall & it was equally as awesome but of course more of a masculine twist. And I thought, "Why can't I do that at work, in my own classroom, where I can see it EVERYDAY?!".

And that's exactly what I am going to do. I will start on one end of the wall  & work my way to the other side.

ALL artists welcome...if you are in Ventura, LA & Santa Barbara Counties and want to help me with this project, I'd glady accept a helping hand (and materials) !  ;)