This morning I am feeling happy. Creative. Renewed. I am breathing deeper and feeling relaxed.
Yesterday I met up with a friend I haven’t seen in a long time and visited the Portland Art Museum to see the Mark Rothko exhibit one more time before it ends. After visiting the art museum we wandered a little bit around downtown. I was very sad for the lack of photo inspiration I was finding. I was beginning to get worried. What was wrong with me? Was I in a creative slump?
You see, the last couple of months have been sort of a photo-taking dry spell for me. I had a lot of other activities going on and my creative energy was focused elsewhere. Now that the other projects are finishing up I was expecting the photo creativity to come back. It started to, with my rainboot photo shoot last week. But wandering downtown Portland was doing nothing for me. Something was wrong!
I told my friend I needed something different, so we headed to Northwest Portland. It’s got neat shops, old houses and lots of greenery, and I’ve had success with finding inspiration and even scooter sightings there before. Wow, that did the trick! I came away with some photographs I absolutely love, for the first time in a long while. Today’s image is one of these new favorites and I’ll share more this week.
Not only do I feel happy, creative and renewed, I also feel relieved. All I needed was a couple of hours in a place with texture, color and interesting “real life still life” to capture. Whew. No creative slump after all.
I am so happy you found a place near you to go to for inspiration. My place has always been around water but just this week I realized that our town is really starting to grow in ways that are inspiring me. Lots of new shops that are full of creative interesting people coupled with new fun restaurants makes this small town a happening place to be. How lucky for me that I live here.
I’m so glad you found a place that brings you renewed inspiration Kat. I really love your image too, so much color and texture and it’s so you!
It’s hard to be in that uninspired state – when nothing in front of your camera lights a spark. When you start to believe the problem is you – that your well has run dry. How gratifying to discover a place that renews your creative spirit.
I love these days; they’re the best! I’m a firm believer in taking them ofen, and it’s usually the bright colors that nurture my soul.
Isn’t it such a relief when the panic of a ‘creative slump’ passes and we find inspiration. I love Mark Rothko’s work, that would have been cool to see.
You aren’t kidding, such a relief! And the Mark Rothko exhibit was amazing… to see his progression from still life to abstraction was awesome. I love these types of exhibits, which show the growth of an artist. Even better an artist whose work I love!
I can relate to your creative slump. I feel the ups and downs all the time with my paintings. Not every one is a winner. Nor do I always have inspiration. There are a few creative type stores that I frequent to keep the ideas flowing. That “dream” photo is such a find. Hugs!
I know it’s all part of the cycles, but it’s sometimes hard to remember when you are in the “down” part of the cycle that it won’t last forever. Having a few places that inspire us to create is a good idea to help us through those moments. Nice to hear from you!