Over the past week, I have been reading an excellent book a friend lent me about the process, reasoning and practices of a "New Media" designer. The book was written by a man named Hillman Curtis in 2002, and the beauty is that despite the huge leaps in technology since that time, the book is full of information that has not fallen victim to "planned obsolesence." I am still reading, but one thing I have taken away is the important role inspiration plays in the creative process. I have been seeking out inspiration everywhere I look, in everything I hear, and everywhere I go.
It is a beautiful experience, seeking inspiration.
In intervals (usually during renders or after staring at the same frame for an hour with no new ideas), I (with aspiration in my heart) view other works by talented and skilled video producers, graphic designers and motion designers... I read articles, research the old, new and up-and-coming of my field's trends and movements; I pray and wonder at how God, the Artist, created me and this impulse to participate in His work.
Then I get in the car and listen to the news and I am reminded of the fallen world we live in. Yes, I have become one of those I swore never to become. I never understood talk radio (radio is for music, right?), but right now my limited and sporadic drive time is the only opportunity I have to get some current events in (it just occurred to me how many of my friends long for limited and sporadic drive times). So, while listening to the news, I am faced with a high dose of reality, and reality does not seem so inspirational - at least not for creative purposes.
It is an odd balance - living in the midst of creativity and reality, and as hard as I try to separate the two, they, in this world, are interdependent. The two seem to have a symbiotic relationship.
I heard a story yesterday afternoon about a woman who was inspired to write a song after hearing a Gold Star father on a talk radio show discuss his son, who was killed in combat attempting to rescue his fellow soldier. As I listened to an interview with one of the songwriters and the father, it struck me that this is one of the most important uses of creativity; turning tragedy into hope, comfort, empathy and love.
It's been said that all of the best music comes from pain, and there is a truth to that. I'd like to believe the best art (music included) comes as a reaction to intensity of all sorts - emotional, experiential, spiritual. I suppose that means the news I hear as I drive around is inspirational, too - just as it was for the woman who wrote the song. I just have to hear it with different ears.
I researched Hillman Curtis after reading through the first section of his book because I wanted to know what he has been doing recently. I learned that last year, he died of colon cancer. The amazing thing is that after finding this out, the book had so much more to offer. I can't really explain why, but take my word for it.
What does all this mean? I don't know - but in the ebb and flow of urgency, my life is getting caught up in a pretty strong current right now.
