Archive for Creativity & Inspiration
How to Make a Vision Book
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Artist Vision Book, acrylic paint on recycled paper by Niamh Savani
Most people have heard of the concept of a vision board and know that it is a tool you create to help manifest your desires and dreams. Often, we go to workshops, seminars, retreats, or just finally get around to creating our vision boards at home. We are excited about our future possibilities and full of hope as we create, but then the vision board gets stuffed into a drawer and forgotten. Then we wonder why what we tried to manifest does not appear.
There is a well known saying “energy flows where attention goes”. An important part of the process of creating a vision board is to look at it constantly and use it as a Read More→
Celtic Cross Symbolism and Origin
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Celtic Cross, photo by Niamh Savani
Growing up in Ireland, I was very familiar with the image of the Celtic cross. I saw it in history books when I was learning about Celtic art and culture in elementary and high school, it was on gravestones when I wandered for walks through graveyards, and many companies and organizations used it for logos and emblems.
Although this symbol is a simple cross within a circle, it has deep meaning, and similar archetypes are found worldwide. For example, the Celtic cross is similar to the basic structure of the Native American medicine wheel. Read More→
Connect with the Art Masters
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Still Life with Straw Vase, Oil on Canvas by Paul Cezanne, ca 1895, image in the public domain
Earlier this week, my friend and I went to see the exhibit Cézanne and American Modernism at the Phoenix Art Museum. Apart from being a great way to spend a hot, Arizona day (inside a cool air conditioned building surrounded by great art!), it was an opportunity to get to know Cezanne and other artists better.
“Keep good company – that is go to the Louvre.” ~ Paul Cézanne
The exhibit featured approximately fourteen paintings by Cézanne, and the rest of the work was paintings by American artists, contemporaries of Cézanne. It highlighted how his work influenced other artists and paved the way for abstraction and the birth of modern art. Read More→
Get Inspired: Take a Road Trip!
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Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, photo by Niamh Savani
When we think of creative inspiration, often we imagine it as something passive where you just sit around and wait for the muses to magically pay you a visit and impart some great idea or technique. But all seasoned artists know that this is not the case (although it may occasionally happen). Even if you do seem to get a “sudden” flash of insight or a brilliant idea, chances are you have been doing some groundwork over a period of time, and something has just sparked the breakthrough.
Recently I wrote about how travel has frequently helped artists change direction in their work and rejuvenated their spirits and passion for their craft. So, following my own advice, Read More→
V is for Voyager: Journey both Outwards and Inwards
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Translocation #4 by Niamh Savani, Chalk pastel on colored paper, 18" x 24"
Summer is almost here, and most people are planning or thinking about taking a vacation. Many people enjoy travelling and experiencing new environments, cultures, food, and meeting new people. For an artist travel is especially important, and many important works of art (visual and literary) were inspired by artists travelling and experiencing new things.
When Van Gogh moved to the south of France, the change of light inspired him to change the colors of his palette and paint his famous sunflowers. Georgia O’Keeffe moved to Abiquiu in New Mexico and was motivated to paint the desert landscape. Gaugin escaped to Tahiti and pursued his passion for painting local culture.
Many writers have also been greately influenced by their travels. Kerouac’s travels inspired his books “On the Road” and “Lonesome Traveler”. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote about her year of travel after her divorce in “Eat, Pray, Love”. The list is endless …
Painting is Transformational
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Paintbrushes by Dreamstime
I’ve been teaching visual arts for over ten years now, and I’ve taught all grade levels from Kindergarten through twelfth grade, and adults. I’ve taught in various settings: arts centers, summer camps, private schools, public schools, charter schools, and community college. One thing I’ve noticed is that kids, no matter what their age or background, always ask the same questions: “When can we paint?” or “Why can’t we paint?”
There is something mysterious and magical about paint and the painting process itself, and children intuitively recognize this. They want to paint. Read More→
"Vishuddhi in 3-D" by Niamh Savani, 3-D Self Portrait with found objects, 2010
The throat chakra (also known as Vishuddhi) is an important bridge to higher spiritual realms and greater creativity. If you are an artist or would like to increase your creativity levels, it is important to have a healthy, open throat chakra. There is a direct link between chakras and creativity.
The Vishuddhi chakra is concerned with purification, communication, truthfulness, Read More→
V is for Voice: Discovering Your Unique Artistic Voice
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"Voice" by Niamh Savani, Pastel on colored paper, 2010
Discovering your unique artistic voice is an essential part of defining who you are as an artist. It doesn’t matter if you’re a painter, musician, poet, novelist etc. because it is clear when an artist has a compelling, unique voice. You can easily recognize their work and it has an unmistakable quality. For example, you can easily identify a Georgia O’Keeffe painting (whether it is a flower or not) because of the strong composition, simplified, abstract forms, and beautiful colors. Her paintings have a certain quality or feel that just make them an “O’Keeffe”. This is exactly what artistic voice is – unique, stands out from the crowd, and has a certain “quality” that is difficult to define. This “quality” is your unique artistic voice.
I believe discovering your unique artistic voice is essential to your success and happiness as an artist and person. That’s why I selected this topic to kick off the “V is for Visionary Artist” series. Read More→
How to Create a Vision Board
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Photo by Niamh, Detail of Vision Board
Vision boards are not a new concept. When Shakti Gawain wrote “Creative Visualization” back in the 70’s she called them “treasure maps”. They are also known as dream boards, creative collages etc. The basic idea behind a vision board is that you envision what you truly want in life, and then create a visual representation (usually a collage) of your desires. In essence, a vision board is a manifestation tool. The reason vision boards work is that when you change your consciousness and beliefs about your life, and have a tangible product to represent that dream, and you constantly look at or reflect on that dream, you begin to use the law of attraction to draw what you want into your life.
Although vision boards are really quite simple to make, a little guidance in the process can yield far greater results. Vision boards are powerful tools to change your reality. Depending on what stage you are at in your journey of life, and what you want to manifest, there are different types of vision boards to help the process. Read More→
Introducing: V is for …Visionary Artist Series
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"Translocation #3" by Niamh Savani, 2005, Chalk pastel on colored paper
Yesterday was the Spring Equinox, which marks the beginning of spring, a time of year that represents new beginnings and fresh starts. I have developed the concept of the Visionary Artist Series, and was inspired to launch it in Spring to capture the energy of a beautiful new beginning.
A Visionary in the strictest sense of the word is someone who supposedly experiences a vision or apparition, which may involve seeing into and predicting the future. This state may be induced via meditation, estatic trance, drugs, lucid dreams, day dreams, or art. A good example is Hildegard of Bingen, who was a 12th century artist/visionary and Catholic saint.
A broader definition of a Visionary can refer to a person with a very clear vision containing specific details about some political, religious, social, environmental, or technological advances in the future. Some might describe these people as “Futurists”. Whatever term you use to describe them, they are generally connected to universal source …and are ahead of their time. For example, Ted Nelson is often described as a visionary associated with the Internet. Read More→
