“Falling” Into Place

by Amanda Davis, Guest Blogger

Fall has been my favorite season for as long as I can remember and one that inspired me in the art world immensely. There is something about the fresh clean air, the color of leaves and the briskness that appears with fall that brings about this creativeness. Each season can be an inspiration, but the natural painting of fall is my inspiration.

Now you may ask why I talk about fall with such love, well the weather plus events seem to “fall” about at this time of year.

In the fall as the Marketing Associate for Theatre Action Project last year, I had the opportunity to see the wonders of creation come together at many Skill Shares put on by Miss Cassie and the Teaching Artists. After what seemed like a long summer, I enjoyed seeing these inspiring people come back together and share their skills with each other.

P.S. Fall not only brings about beautiful colors but wonderful memories as well. This was also the time that I would normally head back to school as a kid and be thrown back into the wonder that was art class. I never failed to make it feel like Christmas as I arrived in art class that first day and BRAND NEW art supplies were passed out. I was so overjoyed that I wasn’t even sure if I wanted use it, mostly because it looked so lovely (which is silly of course and I used it anyway, but with great caution).

Look Around

by Amanda Davis, Guest Blogger

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time in Chicago with an amazing group of people. We traveled, saw the city and had a wonderful time, but the thing that inspired me the most was the town we stayed in: Oak Park, IL, in the Arts District. Being quite the fan of people that create and sell amazing pieces of art, I couldn’t help but be inspired. In Oak Park there are:

• painted benches
• little art studios,
• and even a cool little coffee shop with art hung from the wall.

Looking at all these pieces, my mind spun with creative ideas and how I could be a person to inspire others around me as well as what piece of art I was going to create next.

As you travel this summer, keep in mind the little pieces of inspiration that lie around you in the cities and towns you go to or even in the town you stay in. You never know what piece could inspire you next. If all else fails, travel to Theatre Action Project where art oozes from the walls and inspiration lies in every person that works there.

Finding Inspiration

by Chad Dike, Teaching Artist at Widen Elementary School

 What inspires me?

This is a hard question to answer in any succinct way. I am inspired by a lot of things. It just depends on the day, or even the time of day. For example, right now at 8:32 a.m. I am inspired by my coffee. It’s hot, wakes me up, and gets me ready for the day. I find it very inspiring.

But in reality, I am inspired by a myriad of objects, people, and places.

Here is a brief laundry list of some of the things that inspire me:

1. Good art
2. Smart and interesting people
3. The supply room at Theatre Action Project
4. A good conversation or argument
5. Books (mostly books for children)
6. My wife
7. Traveling
   AND
8. The kids…

And it is the last one, that inspires me when I am at my lowest. Their ability to play and imagine and their willingness to share that with other people can change the course of my day. When a student tells you a story, creates a tableau or just smiles, to me, that’s it. Its why I do what I do.

What inspires you?