Inspiration Off the Internet Series: Part 1

As someone who depends on art as an outlet– creative blocks and feeling uninspired can send me off the rails.

Now don’t get me wrong– the internet can be great for making art as a whole more accessible. It also facilitates idea exchanging at a grand scale, and gives visibility to a diverse range of artists.

But, when I get a creative block and start to feel uninspired, the internet spirals me further down the rabbit hole. I get overwhelmed by the other great ideas I see online, and I start questioning my own passion and skill set.

That’s why, in these moments, I’ve sought alternative ways to get my creativity flowing again; to make myself feel passionate and excited about art in a way that doesn’t require me to compare myself to others. Nine times out of ten, this happens off the internet.

I know I’m not the only one who experiences creativity blocks, which is why I wanted to start this little series. I hope that it will make others feel less alone, and maybe it will pull someone out of their own creativity block. So without further a-do: here are the:

3 Books to Keep By Your Side When You’re Feeling Uninspired

“Looking at Fashion”, by Germano Celant

As a catalogue from the “Looking at Fashion” exhibition that took place at the 1996 Florence Biennial, this “book” has a balanced mix between pictures, written works and interviews from exhibition curator and author, Germano Celant. It also includes written pieces and explanations from fashion designers, painters, designers, architects and photographers that were featured in the exhibition.

I always turn to this book because it inspires me to combine my other interests with my craft. It reflects the exhibition that sought to show how art can be fashion, combining various art forms and mediums with fashion design. It’s available on amazon starting at $62.82, but I checked out a copy at my school library!

“Art and the Senses”, by Francesca Bacci and David Melcher

This book observes how our senses impact art we create (and observe) from artistic and psychological standpoints. The chapters feature entries from psychologists, doctors, and artists of all types; musicians; painters; architects; designers; and even chefs.

This book LIVES on my nightstand when I’m feeling even some-what uninspired. It helps me embrace my uniqueness– down to the way my senses function. It also gives me inspiration on how I can give new meanings to my art by using the psychology of senses. It’s available on amazon starting at $37.89, but this is another one I picked up at my school library.

“Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”, by Andrew Bolton, Sølve Sundsbø (Photographer), Tim Blanks (Contributor), Susannah Frankel (Contributor)

Intended to coincide with the exhibition that took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this book takes us along the influential, Lee Alexander McQueen’s career as a fashion designer from the very beginning. It features interviews, quotes and photographs of, and with McQueen. McQueen’s passing shook the industry; the way he was able to convey beauty through the mundane will always be incredible. Through a mix of photographs and written works, this book honors McQueen’s legacy and role in the fashion industry.

This book is very special to me because it was one of the first encounters I had with some of McQueen’s designs. It told his story; how hew as able to seek inspiration within himself and through his own curiosities. Whenever I catch myself thinking that my art needs to look a specific way, I pull this book out. It shows me the beauty in being unordinary. It’s available on amazon starting at $39.10.