morose-n-lugubrious asked: First off, thank you for sharing your story with us. It's a bit ironic that you mentioned not really having a tangible inspiration, considering that those words were certainly an inspiration for many. I'm a high school senior myself, so it's always nice to see posts like that. Much love.
Thank you! Though maybe I should clarify what I meant about that inspiration thing…
I think “inspiration” can be a dangerous word for an artist. It seems to imply being struck by something beautiful, or moved euphorically by the natural world, Walt Whitman-style.
If I believe an artist is supposed to be inspired in this way, then when I’m not ecstatic over the sun rising, it’s because I must be doing it wrong. I must be missing the piece of myself needed to be a real artist.
Instead, I am reminding myself that the experiences that block me from “inspiration” — my doubt, my confusion, my plain old blank-headedness — can be sources for meaningful art.
When I write or draw anything, I am attempting to make sense of what I don’t understand. It’s exciting when it can be done in a way that others connect with, because then I feel less alone.
In that story you’re responding to, a student asked me what inspired me to write Alice in Tumblr-land. My immediate response to her was, “Desperation.”
I was joking, but also, not really.
With those fairy tales, it wasn’t like I thought, “I am inspired to create something funny and insightful.” It was more like, “Oh God, what do I do with all these FEELINGS?!”
Being inspired is cool. Life is abundant and the nature of the universe is beauty. But it doesn’t always feel that way. And if it doesn’t feel that way, it doesn’t mean you aren’t an artist. It probably means you’re about to make some kickass art.
PS Much love!
6:56 pm 23 May 2015 • 23 notes