I’m wordy and deep today…there’s your warning.
I’ve been thinking about inspiration and influence…and how I am affected by the two. There isn’t much I don’t find inspiring in some way or another. Influence, on the other hand, I have to step back and really look at my life to see what & who are having influence on me.
I have a crazy large collection of magazines…lots of really old ones too. I have files of magazine pages I’ve torn out over the years. The pages are of things I want to recreate or things that inspire me. I was going through an old copy of Martha Stewart KIDS and found a tutorial for felt fortune cookies. There was once a time that to find great tutorials, you had to purchase magazines or books…they weren’t found by a simple online search. Of course, now that tutorial is online. You can find it by clicking here. On Valentine’s Day morning there were 6 fortune cookies waiting for my hubby and kids (I’ll save Little One’s). If I had not found that tutorial, I probably would not have taken the time to think up something so cute. I’m thankful for women like Martha (and her team) that make creativity accessible and easy.
I like to create. I like to use my hands. Sometimes I want to create something completely my own. Other times I am drained and just want to follow the creative ideas of others. A couple of weeks ago I found myself at Craft Weekend wanting to paint. However, it was 11:00pm. I was tired and smitten with some Heather Bailey fabric (which I now own 4 yards of!). Instead of creating a painting from scratch, I just wanted to paint again. It had been so long. So I sketched a version of Heather’s fabric and painted it. It reminded me of days in art classes where our instructor had us copy great works of art. I made it for me. Just to paint again. However, after I posted it here I began thinking about this blog and who reads it. Despite, the painting being just for fun, for practice, for me (and sharing a link to the Heather Bailey fabric)….I wonder if I should have shared it here.
I know all too well that people like to take things they see online and pass them off as their own, intentionally and unintentionally. It made me wonder…would anyone read that post and then find fabric they liked, paint it and then try to sell it as their own design f0r profit? As an artist and blogger, I do think there is a responsibility on my part for how I share creative projects. I would never want something I share to work against an artist or designer. I’m pretty confident Heather Bailey fabric will not be affected negatively by my painting, but I want to always be mindful of those sorts of things. I want to be known as a blogger and artist that respects others.
When my last project for Design*Sponge went live, a couple of people noted the similarities between my work and that of Katie Daisy. As you all fully know, I am a huge fan of Katie’s work. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her as an artist and a person. My project for D*S was the result of several different versions I worked through with my editor. At the time of creating, Katie’s work never crossed my mind. Though her work was not inspiration for my own, I can see Katie’s influence on my own work. Katie’s prints are all over my home and they welcome me every time I open this blog. Her influence on me as an artist is undeniable and I am grateful for it. All that to say, it truly bothered me that someone might think I was trying to mimic Katie’s work…not because I was offended, but because I would never want to not give credit when due ~ especially when it is another artist I admire and respect so much.
So, what is the point of sharing all that? I want to create. I want to encourage others to create. I like that things like Pinterest are making creative ideas more accessible to the masses. I think creativity is good for the soul and makes people happy. I’ve seen creativity flourish in friends because of the great resource known as Pinterest. I share tutorials here in hopes that someone might be sparked to get a little creative on their own. I’m not looking to ‘make it big’ in the creative industry (but if Martha ever invites me to her show…well I sure wouldn’t turn her down ) I function better when I can create, whether it is a project that I follow a tutorial, or a project inspired by someone else, or just a random project of my own. I hope those that read my blog would see that creativity isn’t just for ‘artists’ or those that understand the technically correct way to do something. I hope people read this blog and buy a glue gun just to give creativity a try.
To me, one of the hard parts of creative works and the internet is sometimes I don’t think we always recognize the influence of others. There are times we are so shaped by the creative works and styles of others…that we just don’t even realize it. When I step back and look at how I have changed over the course of the last few years, I can see strong influences from women I’ve grown to love. Rachel has given me a whole new appreciation for flea markets. Dottie Angel has encouraged my excitement over vintage fabric. Julie has caused me to spray paint too many things. Meg has shown me how bold and vintage can flow seamlessly. Ann has taught me not just to notice the daily gifts in my life, but to write them down and give thanks for them. And I could go on and on….
I am constantly finding inspiration. I find it in magazines. In the homes of my friends. On blogs. On Pinterest. In books. In people. Inspiration is everywhere. As a blogger and artist, I want to be inspired. I want to create. And I want to point others to those I find inspiring. If I find a great tutorial online, I want to point you to it…not pretend it is mine (though the felt cookies would be pretty awesome to pretend I came up with). I am grateful for all the well written tutorials out there that just let me copy their steps and enjoy making something when I need concrete steps instead of inspiration. And when I am inspired by someone else’s work that leads to my own project, I want to be mindful to give proper credit even for inspiration.
And then on the days that I create something uniquely my own….I want to learn to recognize that even my work has been influenced by others. It is so easy to be influenced by others creatively….and that makes me think more about who I am allowing to influence me…as an artist….as a photographer….as a wife…as a mom…as a friend….
Deep thoughts I’m pondering these days between sweeping the floor and folding laundry. I haven’t gotten too far. I know I want to be continually inspired. I know I want to weed out the things I don’t want influencing me. I know I want to recognize those that do inspire and influence me. I also know I want our dossier to be “logged in” in China today (but that is totally unrelated!)
Deep thoughts with Ashley Ann.
So, I’m just curious…who and what do you find inspiring? Who have you found that is an influence in any area of your life?
by AshleyAnn
show hide 40 comments
Beth - Such beautiful pictures of such beautiful children. You are one blessed mama!!!
kiley - Your two together…so cute!!! I’d take advantage of little miss wanting to pose, too. My Sadie thinks it’s cute to run away right now…lil’ stinker!
Sarah - She’s so stinking cute.
Those last 2 are frame worthy. Definitely.
able mabel - Oh how adorable! Love the pics of the two of them together!
Have a wonderful weekend! Can’t wait to see pictures when you return!
Ellen J - She is so adorable!! And getting to be such a big girl!
Jessica - I have to say, everytime I come to your blog I absolutely love your pictures. I took your snap shot course last summer and really enjoyed it. It inspired me to take a films class this semester at my university..and let me tell you: it’s awful. I learned more during your online workshop then I’ve learned the last 5 weeks in this class! I just wanted to say thank you! Too bad you can’t come to Illinois to teach a films course
Alisha - Ashley, your children are beautiful. You must be a proud and thankful mama.
Melinda - I am so happy…you get me so excited about photography. I am happy to say I just signed up for your class!!!!
Breezy - Oh my… that first picture of the two of them together just about stopped my heart. Absolutely beautiful.
Aja - So precious! What sweet shots of these two. And I think it’s hilarious that she asks to have her pic taken- SO different from the boys! Love it.
Harriet - Such sweet photos! She is a doll, a definitely a poser! What precious photos for you to look back on. And your boy is pretty cute too!
cailan - Yeah, those are amazing. Praying a posing phase will hit my girlie sometime soon. : )
ranee - precious!
Jacci in Ohio - Hmmm…. after I posted that last comment, I thought, “I’m pretty much asking for free SnapShops advice here!” Yuck. I don’t want to try to mooch off you!
I’m the one that mentioned a SnapShops II idea. Although, I’m sure stability is something that you cover in the basics of the original SnapShops. Hmmm… I would love to take the course, but I’m kind of thinking a lot of the material is stuff I’ve been learning… I already shoot in manual, understand exposure fairly well, etc. Anyway – I wanted to take back the request for free advice. You work hard at what you do, and it was kind of rude of me. Sorry, Ashley!
Jacci in Ohio - First of all – YAY!!!! Have a BLAST at craft weekend! So happy for you that you get to go to all of them this winter
Secondly, just looking at your settings on this series… I’m just realizing that I have serious issues with holdinh my camera *still* enough. I think my posturing/stability must just be really bad. I plop my kid in front of a big window, use similar settings, (same camera as yours, different lens) and my eyes are *no where near* this crisp. And I know it’s not just postprocessing, although I’m sure you did quick edits. So… sometime, when you’re wondering what to post about… maybe you could give us tips for stable hand held shots. This is the #1 thing I have to work on right now. If I rest my camera on something my pictures are a million times better, but that option is only realistic a very small percentage of the time. Who walks around with a table or tripod? Anyway – love, love, love these captures
See? You *are* inspirational!!!
Natalie @ TheShadyAcre - They are so cute! Such a perfect combination of you and your hubby!
RobyGiup - They are lovely together in those pictures!!!
Trista - I wish I had a wardrobe as cute as your daughters!
Julie B - Craft weekend again? Come pick me up!! Those two are adorable!
Aletha - i stumbled on your blog from another i follow and oh my goodness i LOVE your pictures and your kids are adorable!
Super Lily - I’m inspired to grab my camera now! So cute.
Kirsten - …Starfish? As in the jewelry ministry from China? Seriously? I just got a pair of earrings from them for Valentine’s Day. Our good friends live over there and work with them. (If thats even what you are referring to, you MUST check it out.)
Kenna S - I love that you have a girly girl! She is so beautiful. The pics of her with big bro are adorable. You should definitely display these in your home!
Bárbara Isenberg Grzybowski - beautiful pics!!!
Cindy - Those are great pics of them. My boys never pose either…
Molly - those last two pictures are so perfect!
Amy - I love that last photo!
DebZorn - Awesome photos – as usual. The last two are particularly sweet.
When my grandson was 2 (he’s four now), he would tell me, “No pictures. Ever again!”
(Now he only wants his picture taken if I’m trying to get a shot of his brother.)
Seriously Sassy Mama - I love seeing pics of your kids. They are so precious. I am also learning a little bit about my camera from here.
giozi - Your have reasons to be happy they are adorables.
Allison - Love those cuties of yours! That headband is so stinkin’ cute!
Kimberly - LOVE FireCracker & Big Brother’s picture together….MELT my HEART =) They are so CUTE!!
Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis - Ok, this might sound weird, but that picture of your two youngest, is like looking at a picture of you and your husband 30 (or so) years ago. He looks just like his daddy, and she is the spitting image of you. That is precious! Have a blast at Craft Weekend. (I’m just a little jealous – but I’m praying about it;)
jeannett - edible. just stinking edible.
i have way more pictures of jill…mostly because she’s less mobile so it’s easier to sneak a picture of her…i was actually just going through my files yesterday so i could print and send off pics of the kids to family in portugal, and realized that a vast majority were of her and i had major mom guilt…but then i remembered that that’s a stupid thing to feel over something so silly. besides, i have about a million more pictures of all of my kids than our parents took of us, right?!
happy day friend!
jackie - She’s adorable!
Abigail C - Those are fabulous pictures. Have fun at craft weekend! Take the right lens this time
Tonya - She is sooooo stinking CUTE!
Julia - Now that you have your camera back, can you tell a difference after it was cleaned? Your photo’s always look gorgeous, but I was wondering if you can tell from the sooc shots. I’ve had a 24-70 lens for at least 2.5 years I think and have never had it professional cleaned. I KNOW it needs it, the shots are just not what they should be. I don’t want to send it off to Canon though; do you have any suggestions on finding a good reputable cleaner? Thanks!!
Jessica - omgoodness!! You have MAD camera skills!!!
Celia - Oh goodness…. those last two photos are priceless! Perfect!