A “Heaven Spot” is a graffiti term for tagging or painting in a dangerous place: at the top of a bridge, on a freeway, or in public where the graffiti artist can easily be caught. That’s way too dangerous for me and definitely not recommended, but it’s a wonderful metaphor for every creative soul who is in doubt.
If you doubt yourself and your creative ideas, if your self-esteem gets in the way of your inspiration, think of that moment as your Heaven Spot. For artists, the most dangerous thing for creativity and inspiration is self-doubt. Don’t think about or anticipate failure. Think about it as a Heaven Spot, a place in your mind and in your creative journey where you DARE THE IMPOSSIBLE, regardless of fear or failure.
You know what I think is inspiring? Knowing that there are creative souls out there who are seeking inspiration just like me. We’re not alone in this search. We’re a community of searchers – separated by great distances but with a common purpose. When all is said and done, the biggest and most important indicator that you will find your Muse and creative inner voice is that you are on a mission looking for it!
Whatever personal methods work for you, be consistent and keep holding on to this mission. Seek and you will you find! We never know when the magical moment will come. Put your ear to the ground with me and listen for the songs of inspiration that are to come.
Never forget that the nurturing and preservation of your own muse is job one. Lose it and you may be losing a great deal.
-Robert Genn
I am going on a muse hunt first thing in the morning! Thank you so much for the incredible inspiration AND the free class!!!! WOWZERS!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this wonderful class!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love taking your classes and this is an added bonus! Thanks Alisa for being so inspiring and generous!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the searching thing, it's amazing to think there are people like me out there. I've never seen them but I think even non creatives have their way of finding inspiration and motivation. This has been a really interesting process. Thank you
ReplyDeleteA wonderful and definatly inspiring class. It's all so true about switching off and getting out there, looking, and enjoying the creative spirit within. Im on a mission to reclaim some studio time back for myself as my little one prepares to begin her nursery year one. Thank you I really enjoyed your class this morning Alisa.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Thank you so much for this generous sharing. It's rekindled something in me and made me realise how much I hope for a perfect moment or a perfect inspiration, not allowing my head/eyes/mind/soul to take in the simplest forms of inspiration around and getting started letting my muse inspire me... and allowing myself to make mistakes along the way too.. Many thanks again. Helene
ReplyDeleteDear Alisa. Thank you so much for this amazing eye opening session. It's true that this electronic age refrains us from finding our inspirations. And it's defenetly important to get out of this electronics zone to find our muse. I just love the way u turn the inspirations into creations. I am deeply in love with your vibrant colors and photography. Also it's wonderful to see our energy with your little one along. I am all encouraged. Thank you so much, again. Lots of hugs, and love to Lucy :) take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Alisa. This has come to me at a good time; I love how you have explained where to start and how to proceed. The principle seems so simple, yet I guess I complicate it for myself. I've simply got to take more action! :) Thank you again for such a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeleteisn't your gift the answer to what I only yesterday wrote in my journal, that I am in so much doubt...you're tearing me straight away out of this stupor...still I know that looking at the smallest thing, the most ordinary things from a different angle can bring so much joy, but you repeat this to me on the right moment; thank you so much!! I will read this mini -online cours over and over again. Anja
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your generosity Alisa. Haven't had chance to read it all and watch the vids yet but wanted to thank you straight away. Am looking forward to spending a blissful couple of hours enjoying every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Great to review these ways to be inspired!
ReplyDeleteThis was so inspiring, it makes me want to cry! (of course that could be the lack of sleep since the baby isn't feeling well!!)
ReplyDeleteI am taking your sketchbook class and felt that self-doubt that you talk about. I haven't created with my hands in years and I know I need that outlet in my life. But, it's so hard to get over the fear and self consciousness when art doesn't immediately spew all over my sketchbook. Or a big white piece of paper stares at me wanting something creative put onto it.
I am definitely bookmarking this and incorporating these ideas into the sketchbook ideas. I am going to be easier on myself and remember that it is all a process! And the process is part of how we learn and grow and become better artists!
Thank you. Thank you. :)
What a great way to start my week. Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for decipering the process of working with ones muses...;-)) It is very inspiring and genourous of you to share this and I am sure many well feel this way! Off to un-plug for a while...;-))
ReplyDeletewell talk about the kick in the pants we all need this Monday afternoon...THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!! It was a FABULOUS read,,,I bookmarked it too...will come back and read it again. You said what I have been feeling for quite some time...you nailed it!!..... I am turning off my computer:) you know where I am headed................
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift Alisa and very inspirational. I particularly liked where you showed your original inspiration, a doodle and then a finished project.
ReplyDeleteI am inspired! Thanks...I am starting today!
ReplyDeletethanks for this wonderful inspiring gift to us -- you are a true inspiration -- you always make me see things in a different way :0)
ReplyDeletethank you for this amazing free gift Alisa! your willingness to put yourself out there and share your talents with other artists is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Alisa. This free class on finding your muse was fabulous. What a wonderful free gift you gave to anyone following your blog. I absolutely loved it, took notes, and will be putting it into practice asap. Thank you so much for so generously sharing yourself with us and helping us along our artistic journeys. Linda E.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alisa!! Fantastic food (and nature and architecture and everyday "stuff") for thought and inspiration!! I will be watching again and again!!
ReplyDeletethank you for reaffirming what I have been feeling lately, its time to stop looking at other people's work and create something of my own. Its time to stop lurking and step into who I want to be. I appreciate all you have so generously given, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI found this series of videos and photos helpful and a good reminder that I have a wealth of inspiration in my thousands of photos - I just didn't trust what to make from them.....I'm going to try to hold in my mind that those images reflect me, something that I love, something that caught my eye at the time - now how can I manifest that? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Thank you SO much for this. It was truly inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteA short course but a very powerful and moving one.
ReplyDeleteReading the conclusion almost made me cry. Your insistence of the void of self-doubt brought back the creative courage I had when I first started the drawing journey 2 years ago.
My pulse is beginning to run again ... aaahhh ... what a wonderful feeling! And the muse just comes in to sit with me!!!!
Thanks Alisa. It's a great joy and honour to have you as mentor in this magical venture. :)
This short, but profound course, has really helped me discover even more why I find art such a powerful way to overcome self doubt and insecurities that I face everyday... Oh such freedom! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I needed that!
ReplyDeletethank you Alisa. Beautifully done and so generous of you to share this with your readers.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your creative inspirations and encouraging us to find ours no matter where we are - what a wonderful, uplifting class!
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and this class.... Thanks so much or sharing, you definately encouraged me to stop doing online challenges and just maKe whatinspires me.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Alisa (my name is pronounced the same way) for giving a free little course to inspire and encourage us. I am going to school for art, but sometimes that gets so busy that I feel like my creativity suffers! It's not completely gone though, because this evening I was inspired by looking at the light coming in our old wavy glass and the pattern it made on the carpet. I think I'll start listing the places I get inspired, and maybe I discover a trend.
ReplyDeleteThank You Thank You Gracias!
ReplyDeleteThank you! This is a wonderful, giving thing you're doing. I know that I will revisit this blog over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI too am grateful that I found this , via Julie Fei-FAn Balzer's post today (3/20/2012) on using crayons...I very much appreciate your sharing and the inspiration. Now I'm off to find and meet my muse. Hello-o-o-o, are you there?
ReplyDeleteCheers~
your words are as beautiful as your art. very well said, espically the last paragraph about how we all relate to each other bc as artist we are constantly seeking inspiration and drive. i wanted to just thank you again for doing this! im going to take it to heart.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! I want to say you turned into my muse with all your beauty and sharing, I look foward to lean more from you! This was pure delight this morning and I am trully inspired! thank you so much! ;D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your inspiration, Alisa!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful, generous, and above all inspiring course. What a wonderful gift! Your words sing as clear and true as your art.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I have found on the net...thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for putting this together. It really is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAlisa - thank you very much!:)
ReplyDeleteAlisa, thank you for sharing...i'm back on mij path again....
ReplyDeleteVery useful and inspiring class! Simple yet really useful advice. I love your words, videos, and steps. I follow you like a sheep but usually trail off into different pastures. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAlisa, Thank you so much for the inspiring class. Very helpful to become a creative detective of my everyday! Thank you - CB
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