So, in order to practice the key quote of "Inspiration exists...but it needs to find you working", I have been using Summer holidays to create a visual art journal to use as a sample for my Year 12 students. Gathering personal inspirations and artist influences, creating visual responses in selected artforms, and reflecting on and annotating my artistic thinking.
What began as a slight chore, a task I had promised I would do for the class, absolutely transformed my holidays into a focused, fun and almost obsessive way to channel my creativity and think about what inspires me. I became about my work as an artist, rather than my work as a teacher, which I hope will actually be a much better inspiration to them!
Some inspirations have included movies - Avatar, Way of the Water, The Banshees of Inisherin and The Fablemans to date, and there are more I want to see! Exhibitions, especially RONE at the Flinders Ballroom and Alexander McQueen at the NGV - both stunning! Of course other artists: Bill Henson, John Olsen, Gauguin, Klimt, Heysen, O'Keefe, Campbell, so many more... My place, my local landscape, my home, my family, my people, my cat, my photography, central to all that gives me meaning and provides endless inspiration.
Taking a breather today!
I hope your summer challenge provides endless inspiration to your 2023 art classes.