The Inspiration Engine - Introduction

The Inspiration Engine on Youtube. 

More Than Words

By Douglas Clark

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, they are right, but sometimes, a picture can say something better than an entire novel could. In my internet wanderings I’ve come across a few images that have really blown me away. So I thought I’d share a few. Hopefully they will inspire you and ignite a bit of creative imagination in your heart as well.

Enjoy

A visual illusion

The Earth from space

A Russian Lighthouse

An incredible landscape

The sky, on fire

The visually stunning

The phases of the Moon

A fantastic eye

To me, these pictures all represent the strange and mystical, the real and remote, and the raw power of imagination. I find myself staring at them and feeling a sense of wonder. What about you? 

Thanks for reading.

Questions and Comments are welcome.

DouglasHClark.com

It's So Subjective

Art is subjective. People will argue what qualifies and what doesn't, but the power and motivation to create reveals itself in various ways. What comes from that inspiration is a reflection of a creative impulse, a drive for expression. Not all art has to be classical figures or subjects. 

Take Jackson Pollock for example. He painted in a highly eccentric way producing works much different than Leonardo or Monet. To me, his work is still art. 

What do you see?

This last one always reminded me of a surfer with a board tucked under his arm.  

So what do you think? Is it art? Why?

Thanks for reading. Questions and comments welcome. 

Let's Play a Game

Let's try something a bit different. I'm going to post seven pictures. They depict certain various forms of art that I have always admired and found inspirational. See how well you can identify the art and/or artist. 

Here we go:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7. (This one is my all time favorite painting.)

See if you can find the answers. I bet you won't be able to get them all. But think about how each piece inspires you and let me know what you think.

Play along, it will be fun. 

Thanks for reading. Questions and comments are always welcome. 

Finding a Lost Da Vinci

Last night I read an interesting article about a painting called the  La Bella Principessa in National Geographic magazine. Yes, I know weird right.  I still get the actual paper magazine.  I like holding a book or magazine in my hands, everything seems more real that way.  But I digress.  This painting and its mysterious story fascinated me.  Supposedly, there is strong evidence that it was painted by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci.  Leonardo is widely considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest master of painting there ever was.  This reputation started during his own life time.  And with a reputation like that, I would have figured everything he ever did was cataloged, indexed, and safely locked behind foot-thick glass, but apparently that isn't the case.  What really struck me was the fact that experts believe the portrait is a Da Vinci, even though some disagree saying that it doesn't look like a Da Vinci.

It's true that artists develop their own style and signature look, but if Leonardo is a master, why can't her change his style and look, and still produce a masterful work of art?  From what I've seen, Leonardo's work is grand, detailed, subtly stunning, and intricate.  Why then does it have to be stunted?  If Leonardo chose to challenge his own skill, craft a portrait with a different feel or tone, why shouldn't he?  To me that kind of expression speaks to the New, a challenge that goes against the status quo and invites innovation. 

Being creative requires trying something different.  Doing the same old same old does not bring about change.  Going against the grain, making a 180 degree turn, deliberately trying a different approach is not a bad thing and it does not mean you'll be wrong.  It just means you'll probably end up with something entirely different.  And sometimes, different is just as beautiful as the norm.  So, try something different, it might just be a beautiful thing

Thanks for reading.  Comments and questions are always welcome.