No, I have no Caliope, no Clio, no Thalia -- I have deadlines. I suppose that it not as glamorous as a Greek goddess but hey, whatever gets me motivated, right? Why does a muse have to be a woman, or a person for that matter? My current inspiration is that I have given myself assignments with hard deadlines. I am participating in Artist Row at our local public market. That is September 20th. Yikes. I have some work done for it. But...there is so much more to do. Displays. I really have none so I have to come up with something. Presentation is everything right? Then 10 days after that I plan on submitting a couple designs for the Benches on Parade which will be taking place in our city next summer. I am really excited about this. I always thought it would be so cool to participate in one of these massive city-wide art projects. Even if my design doesn't get picked, it is really helping me get some new ideas flowing. Then next month I am teaching a beginning pop-up class at the Genesee Center for the Arts. So I have to come up with a plan, projects and handouts. Gosh, I hope people sign up for it.
I have been looking at some beautiful books. The illustrations in 1949 edition of the The Fireside Cook Book are just so delightful. I acquired the book from my grandmother. I haven't tried the recipes but I hear they are great. If you can get your hands on a copy, it won't disappoint. A true classic both illustratively and culinarily. Check out Eat Me Daily for another great picture from the book and a recipe review. A couple other sources I have been thumbing through: Decorative Art of Southwestern Indians and Japanese Stencil Designs thanks to the crannies of thrift stores. All three are full of gorgeous creative influence, if not yummy inspiration.
I have some great blogs I have been eying. But this post is already long and link heavy. Next time...
