The website theanthropologist, an sort of inspiration-type blog for the store Anthropologie, has been a recent source of inspiration. One of the featured artists on the site is David Eustace, a Scottish photographer who chronicled the 3 week road trip he took with his daughter through photography. Both David and his daughter Rachael took pictures during the trip which were posted online. I have a few favorites; one I keep returning to is this image:
Not only does this weather instantly cheer me up in my mid-winter gloom, but the image represents to me the journey that Rachael and David went on together. I can't help but be inspired by them, and the carefree spirit of this picture in particular. The Hollywood sign invites me to follow my own journey, wherever that will be, and Rachael's goofy kick reminds me how silly it is to worry what other people think. Every time I see the picture I smile and daydream about summer.
In a New York Times article I read recently, I learned about a new exhibit in the Met called "Playing With Pictures: The Art of Victorian Photocollage." It primarily features the work of Victorian women who incorporated portraits into their own unique pieces of art. Each one of the images on the slideshow (seen here) is beautiful - hand-crafted and unique, and so simplistically expressive. Here are two of my favorites:
This watercolor butterfly is so gorgeous I can barely stand it.
I'm not quite sure what the artist was going for in this oddly proportioned piece, but I like the look of mixed media and the aesthetic of the finished product. I am dying to go check out this exhibit in New York, because I want to see the photo-collage effect up close. Other pieces on the site include some that are more abstract, and are just as interesting. I can't help but wonder what the women were thinking when they created these pieces.
My most recent inspiration is an image of an artist: Frida Kahlo. I have been drawn to her artwork ever since I watched the film Frida last week for my film class, in a way that I never had been before. After watching Julie Taymor's film I can't stop looking at her paintings. Although this image isn't a piece of art by Kahlo, the image of Frida from her Vogue magazine cover has remained with me after the film. The brilliant colors, the styling of her hair and clothes, the way she is sitting so calmly... all of these things immediately focus and inspire me.
I think that the power of images is amazing. I love the story behind the image, whether it is the story of a father-daughter road-trip, the voice of a Victorian woman, or a portrait of an artist. Each of these images has called me to action: to plan a journey for myself, to find beauty in simple things, and to find strength in my own image.
If you're looking for a little inspiration, take a second to do a quick google image search. It doesn't have to be groundbreaking, search "macro flowers" and find beauty in something you may pass every day. Search "speed skating" and feel a little closer to the Olympians. Search "summertime" and remind yourself what the beach looks like. Search for whatever inspires you, but constantly be on the lookout for new inspiration - as Ferris Bueller says "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." It has been my experience that Ferris Bueller knows what he's talking about.
