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fine art
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Musings Upon Inspiration WHAT GETS YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING?
I often finish my columns mentioning “inspiration,” an everpresent theme throughout my dayto-day living.
BY
GREG VINEYARD
how, and then boomerangs back to our physical plane as we create, collect and share. When I get an idea for a drawing or a series Sure, I have some typical influences, or a show, while I’m certainly aware of life’s like yellow, my cat, sci-fi movies (both good influences, I’m also shocked sometimes at and not-so-much, even though both ends of how fast ideation, and hence my art, flows the spectrum are equally satisfying to me). through me. But many other things also hit the senses I’m also stimulated by wordplay and and prod conceptual thoughts, much like a flowing phrases, as well as by old favorite small pebble in one’s shoe. And small things books and unusual dictionaries. And the can be quite noticeable. Powerful, even. hand-written word is a thrill in our digital While enjoying the aurora through the age – an unexpected note the other day window at Edna’s of Asheville on a recent from an old friend morning, at my motivated me to draw favorite table enjoysomething new. A “Something that touches ing my favorite short happy phone call can Americano in my the soul and goes beyond trigger that response favorite lime green the tangible.” in me, too. mug (eccentric much? I’m lucky enough MOI?), I looked it to have a few BFF’s up. INSPIRATION. who know everything about me. You know There were many definitions to peruse and the type, where if either friend suddenly pick through, and the descriptive bits that passed on, the other wouldn’t have to worry grabbed me most were “bringing about”, that we may have left something unexand, perhaps more deeply, “infusing”. pressed? Muses, they are. In Waynesville, I asked Gallery 262 And a synchronicity that’s going on owner Aaron Stone what the term means all the time rocks my world. Sometimes to him. Despite my somewhat Ninja-AtI’m privileged enough to be granted a bit tack inquiry style, he fielded it beautifully: of awareness to notice it. Same with that “Something that touches the soul and goes visceral energy that runs through everything, beyond the tangible.” plugging everyone’s spiritual and scientific A whole trousseau unpacked in one paths into one grid. High voltage! sentence. I, too, feel it goes beyond, some-
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Nancy Silver – Fine Artist
As a native New Yorker exiled to Ohio, Nancy’s night job was Charge Nurse in an inner city emergency room, level one trauma center, while art became therapy. She first escaped the ER into art school, while singing weekends as a cantorial soloist. Her musical background translates into painting landscapes, especially the lyrical quality found in water. Her architectural choices tend to focus on qualities that Nancy Silver Cheekwood Gardens reflect the passage of time and silent voices of those long gone. Her final escape brought her to Asheville, fall of 2010, and into the Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District, along with Nancy Silver Art singing a little jazz with friends. Her work Cotton Mill Studios, 122 Riverside Dr. is available in her studio in Cotton Mill Studios on Riverside Drive, and at The Art (828) 713-8994 www.nancysilverart.com Mob in Hendersonville, NC.
20 March 2013 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 16, No. 7
Inspiration. Mixed-media by Greg Vineyard
The difficulties humans face can also serve to motivate. Oppositional viewpoints, ethical questions, scary doctor visits, financial crises, the loss of precious things. Alternatively, our compassion as we ache for others who go through these events can propel us into action, too. Coming back around into lighter times is also good fodder, akin to a ray of sunshine on the porch in spring. As we absorb lessons, we realize how we can help others. And sometimes the birds are chirping and the breeze is light and there’s a little touch of something like an angel’s wingtips tickling the edge of an ear as we curl up like a cat on his favorite yellow blankie. Regeneration. Of course I’m also spurred-on by my fellow creators, and the arts communities within Asheville, throughout WNC and across the country. All these Makers are living, breathing examples of how inspiration combined with sweat-equity yields awesome visual results. Beauty flows, and I’m dichotomously stunned and invigorated. By all of it. I hope you get a chance to ask yourself: “What inspires me?” and use both the question and the never-ending answers that follow as insightful guides on your path!
Greg Vineyard is an artist, writer and creative consultant in Asheville, NC. ZaPOW Gallery in downtown Asheville carries his illustrations, giclees and cards. Find his clay works at Gallery 262 in Waynesville, and at Taupe Gallery in North Wilkesboro. www.creativewayfinding.byregion.net