I am often asked how I use my inspiration. This partly depends where I am or what time of the day it is - I often get flashes of inspiration just as I’m about to fall asleep, or in my dreams! When that happens, I know I’ll remember them when I wake up and they’ll be a starting point for a piece of work, a blog post, or even solving a ‘how to’ problem such as styling photographs or arranging displays at the studio or in preparation for a fair.
If I’m inspired to create something at a time when it’s practical (=daytime, at the studio) I try to at least start it so that I can pick up later. That is the main thing for me, as I’m always fairly sure I can follow up and complete whatever I’ve started...though not always immediately. So I may end up with a number of pieces that are ‘work in progress’ - the more the merrier. And of course it may take a long while before any of those get finished! If the inspiration is truly ‘flowing’ I do make the most of it and keep going regardless of time is or competing priorities - not always a good idea but often what I choose to do!
I often find inspiration in the external world - through a film, something I see in the street or in a shop, a piece of art. I also use my "magic cupboard", particularly when I'm working on collages or prints: I have a collection of old cards, magazines, books, photographs, maps and various other ephemera that I've collected through the years. The image at the very top shows just a snippet of some of the stuff that I keep in the studio and is really precious to me, and below you can see some of the random things that have inspired me recently.
What inspires you and where does your inspiration take you? I love helping people develop their creativity and teach a number of courses and workshops from my Camberwell studio. Take a look at what's on offer and get in touch if you'd like to have a chat or have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to read!
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Gabriela Szulman
ARTIST & MAKER
My work is often humorous and whimsical – unless my romantic side takes over and then we enter into a fairy-tale territory of old-fashioned script, pages of books and music scores populated by chivalrous gentlemen, glamorous ladies, butterflies and rabbits.
LEARN WITH ME
Would you like to explore your creative side? I use the wonderful techniques of decoupage and collage in much of my work, and now I can teach you how to create your very own masterpieces!