The internet blesses me with so much inspiration on a daily basis, and I often throw up links to such inspiration on Facebook because it takes all of 2 seconds to do that and it requires very little thought. However, it occurs to me (as my Facebook page is one of my more “private” social media accounts since it’s reserved for people I know IRL) that this means I don’t share the wealth of discoveries with you guys – and you all are probably more likely to enjoy it since we share so many of the same interests.
So…let me share with you some inspiration I’ve discovered lately. First? Jake Weidmann. Did you know there’s something called a “Master Penman” and it is basically someone who is a master of calligraphy and handwriting? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THERE WAS SUCH A THING??!! Obviously it’s not a very popular career trajectory now, but watching this guy work is like what listening to a symphony would be like for a music person. I’m just in awe by his skill and the beauty that just erupts out of his pen. It’s amazing. I’ve watched it at least 6 times since I first discovered it.
You all know how much I love photography, right? I especially love a certain aesthetic of travel photography. And holy SHIT, Cocoa from Colorful Meanderings just captures that aesthetic that I adore BEAUTIFULLY. Browse through her travel photos and just be in AWE of the way she has captured the world. I really don’t have an innate desire to travel as I get extreme travel anxiety. There’s no part of me that puts any global travel on a bucket list of any sort. THAT SAID…Cocoa’s photos might be what forces me out of my comfort zone someday.
She also writes to the blog on the website as well and her writeup about E’s school is great.
(Yes. She goes to school with E. That’s how I know her. Please don’t think about that too much because then you’ll start to hate yourself for how much she’s already accomplished at such a young age.)
Finally – another photographer but a totally different kind that appeals to the artist AND the book lover in me. The Book Marauder is amazing and I somehow feel completely inspired artistically AND in terms of reading more every time she posts a picture. I don’t know what but I want a wall of her photos of books framed – THEY ARE THAT PRETTY. It helps she’s a HUGE YA fan (because, you know, she’s a young adult, unlike me) so most of her photos include books I’ve loved. She also seems to have a bunch of gorgeous editions of older books which I love.
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I’ve been feeling really inspired by people lately. I really wish we could sell our house because I feel like I just can’t change anything in my surroundings until this albatross is gone, but when we finally move into a smaller place? I’d really like to focus on giving myself a creative workspace where I can somehow surround myself with examples of this type of beauty because these photos and these videos all just make me want to write and draw and take picture and sing and dance.
Except that I’m a terrible singer. Michelle in my class told me that in 3rd grade, shattering my view of myself as a WONDERFUL vocalist. “You know you really don’t sing well, right? And you’re really loud.” Is what she whispered to me in mass one day. Some days I hate Michelle, but most days I feel like she probably saved me from being the one everyone laughs at on those talent shows. I still sing. A lot. But at least now I’m aware I’m terrible. (And I recorded myself as soon as possible after she told me that, to check her accusation, and SHE WAS SO RIGHT. I AM TERRIBLE.)
BUT ALL OF THAT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT. (Tangent anyone?) I have been feeling inspired and I would love to cement that inspiration around me somehow, someday.
Is there anyone inspiring you lately?
I look forward to reading your blog every morning while drinking my coffee with my sweet dog sleeping at my feet. Today’s entry made me especially happy! Thanks, Kim. Have a great day.
Along the same vein of Stacey and Clinton’s “What Not to Wear” theory of “dress the body you have, not the body you want”, it might be worth thinking about doing whatever you can to creatify (not a real word) your workspace, even in a small way. You’re such a creative and energetic person already, it seems such a shame that you’re waiting to move before you give yourself the workspace you deserve.
Oh my, Cocoa’s style is GORGEOUS. I love it. I can’t way to dig through her entire archives. I love her use of color, framing and her photos don’t look the same from subject to subject. Some photographers have an “assembly line” approach, where they use the same backdrop, setting, bridge or TREE for the same scene over and over. Digging through Cocoa’s gallery is sheer happiness — each frame is a complete surprise! And I love that she is fearless and not intimidated– it really shows in her style!
By the way, you are an inspiration yourself and I look forward to your posts!
Oh wow, this just made my morning! Thank you so much for the sweet words and encouragement. 🙂
you. I’ve never commented before. But you inspire me everyday. I don’t know you in any way except this blog, and everyday I read your posts and I’m inspired. Frequently I think ‘if Kim can do this-or-that, I can get through this’. So YOU inspire me. Thank you.