How I Met My Muse in Raleigh

“One of the things we know about creativity is that ideas do not come like a bolt out of the blue.  It may seem that way when the idea strikes you, but the seeds of that idea or thought were planted some time back and have been germinating quietly until this moment.  Ideas come when the brain connects previously unconnected elements, and the more of those raw materials we have, the more connections can be made.”

-David duChemin

I recently returned from teaching a photography workshop with Jamie Konarski Davidson titled Meet Your Muse in Raleigh. Jamie and I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful group of extremely talented photographers.   During the workshop, we shared ways in which we find inspiration to create.

Preparing for and teaching this workshop allowed me to analyze my creative process and what inspires me. While scouting for the workshop with Jamie, I created several images and thought about what inspired me to make each one.

We took our participants to many locations that would allow them to encounter a variety of subjects.  A new location or one less frequently visited can often inspire photographers.  I found that to be the case as I photographed in one of our garden locations.

Important people in my life also inspire my work. The color red always reminds me of my dear friend Chris Almerini and the tremendous impact he and his friendship had and continue to have on my life.  At one of the workshop locations Jamie and I visited prior to meeting our participants, I noticed these red chairs stacked up on tables.  I knew I had to photograph them in honor of my friend.

The composite I created during the workshop scouting had multiple influences.  The garden in which we were photographing had an incredible assortment of cacti.  The lines and patterns intrigued me.  Once I began photographing them, I noticed all of the beautiful pottery in which they were growing.  I began photographing the pottery, as well.

Much of my recent work has been in the square format, a format I have been exploring more since reading about the works of Gustav Klimpt.

Once at my computer, I began thinking about putting the cacti and pottery images together into a pleasing composition.

Past influences clearly helped me find my way.

One of the last artists my mother studied in depth was Paul Klee.  I watched as she read books, made notes, and researched all about Paul Klee using her computer.  She then created work inspired by her studies of him and his work.

Although I have not yet read these books that now belong to me, watching her study and create clearly impacted me in my recent creation using the cacti and pottery images taken in Raleigh.

My mother’s color palette, as evident in the clothing she wore, also impacted the color choices I made in photographing and creating the composite.

Although I created this composite last week, the inspiration that led to it began years ago.

I am so intrigued by creativity and the paths that lead us to create.

I would love to hear where you most often find your inspiration.

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I have a passion for both teaching and photography.  I would love the opportunity to share this passion with you through one of my upcoming learning experiences.  Below, please find some of my offerings:

Personal Projects Workshop, Online, October 2024

Creative Zoo Photography Workshop, Online and In Person, October and November 2024

Make Magic Using Digital Processing Tools, Online

Mentorship, Online, In Person, or a combination depending upon your location

Private Instruction, Online or In Person depending upon your location