Tuesday 12 January 2010

truth

Ended up clicking on a tweet from design tavern to this quote: "Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery- celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: "It's not where you take things from- it's where you take them to"". - Jim Jarmusch.
Sometimes I worry that the wonderful people that read this blog or buy our things think we have made it in a way they could not, Its just not true- it is the new year- if this is the year you desire to start something creative, start it. Sometimes I wake up and sit down to work and feel like a fraud, I am not one who can sit with a pencil in hand and draw you something beautiful. it takes days or weeks for things to come alive for me. I own a lot of erasers and tracing paper. I am not brilliant, I am not gifted, I stumble on, because poppies makes me happy, I like to make things, do you?
I'm spending my nights reading business as unusual. the body shop story. get ready for some quotes out of the book- it has brought me to tears over and over and breathed hope into me.
looking forward to getting back to work.

7 comments:

Pinkflowerbuttons said...

You are Truly Inspirational, thankyou. Poppies for Grace is Adorable, Champion on xx

Poppy Letterpress said...

I think it's perfectly natural for every designer, illustrator, artist and generally creative people to feel like frauds from time to time. I remember feeling like that when I started my first job. All the qualifications, so little experience, yet calling myself the real deal. Even now, years and years on it feels the same some days.

Just found your blog and website and had to drop by to say your work is truly gorgeous and heart warming. Thanks girls :)

~ Lou (a fellow Aussie stationer).

Blair said...

Hey thanks.
This is a really helpful post.Kind of exactly what I need to hear. Lol.
Blair

Emeraldflare said...

you guys inspire me to use a typewriter in my cardmaking :o)

Bianca Cash said...

love your stationery. such a huge, massive inspiration.
great post!

Jessica said...

I love the bit about authenticity! xx

Crayon Chick said...

Hi girls, I met you years ago at a Finch St Magnolia Square and I have had you on a creative pedestal ever since! Your 'truth' post is beautiful, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it, albeit a month after you posted it. Good luck with your plans for this year and I hope to see you around somewhere. Michelle