Marisa D. Aceves. Bubble Landscape III (Red). digital photography http://www.acevesart.com/
article by Marisa D. Aceves
I am sure that you have heard the tried but always true saying, “Inspiration is were you find it”, but what if you’re having trouble finding a source of inspiration.
Everywhere around you, popular culture conditions you to believe that if you don’t do it “BIG” it isn’t worth doing.
If you don’t capture some huge monumental event or make a historical breakthrough, then the art you produce isn’t worth doing.
While we all would like to give into the “I’m not doing it “BIGGER” yet so therefore it’s not better” despair, we need to remember that life is not full of “BIG” events, it’s full of many “small” ones.
These small events like spare change in your pocket may not seem like much at first, but they quickly add up to make the “BIGGEST” event you will ever experience, your life.
You can gain both inspiration and insight if you pay attention to the “little” things that surround you.
It’s these “little” things that people cherish, though they are often overlooked even forgotten.
The story behind the picture featured above is a simple one.
A family excursion to the local Dollar Store led to the search for a familiar object to photograph.
Initially, we had decided to pick up some plastic sandwich bags and various other items we would need for the weeks chores.
When we walked in, we headed for the far left of the store.
Measuring cups, plastic ladles, and chip clips lined the isle.
Nothing really struck me as interesting until “it” popped up right in front of me.
The small transparent plastic napkin holder sat on the bottom shelf.
I picked it up instantly examining the many colors shining through it’s beaded surface.
This was the object I was going to photograph.
To the undiscerning eye it was just a cheap picnic napkin holder, but I knew it had potential.
I could choose to see it as a napkin holder and pass it by, but I decided to make it my subject.
The napkin holder would represent more than just a napkin holder, it would serve to deliver a message about the beauty and wonder in common objects and everyday life.
It was my personal challenge to make this common object interesting.
I had to give it life.
I had to help others see the aesthetic value of what would otherwise be considered disposable and forgettable, because if they could do this with a common object, they could learn to approach their lives and the people that they met with appreciation and gratitude.
A fellow artist and photographer, Misty Dreamer 10, tweeted a picture of a beautiful sunset with the message that everyday was beautiful you just had to choose to see it.
Artistic inspiration is all around us; it is in common objects, our relationships, nature, our pets etc.
We just have to choose to see it.
ABSTRACT RECEPTION 