You never really know what to expect when you go on a TV or Radio Show. I’ve been on both in the last month to promote my newest book Playing With Paper. In my TV interview with Tricia Swenson from my local station, I was caught slightly off guard right off the bat when she opened our conversation with a statement rather than a question. Thankfully, I was prepared and, after a slight fumble for words, launched into a description of the book. I think the rest of the interview went okay… you are welcome to see for yourself!

And this past Sunday, I was a guest on Rebecca Parson’s Artistically Speaking radio show. She asked a question that she probably asks everyone she interviews: Where Do You Find Inspiration?

I can’t really express how I felt when I heard that question. I mean, there are so many answers! I replied with a curt answer referencing nature and my life, and then launched into an example, describing a the Mother Tree Project, which was inspired by my own journey through motherhood. In fact, the real inspiration for the project was almost random, sparked by a comment I overheard when a father told his children that me breastfeeding my newborn son was one of the most beautiful things in the world.

I guess I want another opportunity to answer that question: where do you find inspiration? But I think it is one of those questions that will be with me for life. But one thing I know. Not only am I inspired to make art, but I also get inspiration from my art, from coming up with the ideas through figuring out how to make them a reality. It is like solving a puzzle. And it is a process; it isn’t just about the finished piece.
I am so grateful to those of you who have contributed wishes to my current project in development: The Wish. We’re at 100 and counting, and I have wishes from 10 countries. I’m currently figuring out how to drill 300+ holes evenly around an 8″ diameter wooden sphere (almost have that problem solved); I’m reading through the wishes that have been contributed to see how they inspire me; and I am looking for ways to produce an audio component that will project the contributed wishes into a gallery space. It is challenging, it is invigorating, and it is a little scary.


I could go on about this topic, but I’ll stop there. But first, I looked up inspiration in the dictionary and found these definitions:
1. stimulation to do creative work; 2. somebody or something that inspires; 3. creativeness; 4. good idea; 5. divine influence; 6. breathing in
I’d love to hear about where you find inspiration. Please leave a comment below!