AVI3M - Sources in the Creative Process

Today we discussed sources that me might consult to elaborate on our ideas.  As a class, we came up with the following examples:

• the environment, both natural and man-made
• online sources and imagery
• the work of the masters
• music
• television
• personal experience

We had a great discussion about the value of each of these sources for elaboration.  

Let's take a moment to consider the first step of the creative process: Inspiration.  In his article entitled, "The Innate Quest for Order and Design", Marvin Bartel offers the following for your consideration:

Four Sources of Inspiration for Creating Art - 

Ordinary Experience
Most of children's spontaneous drawing fall in this category, often including some aspects of #3 below.

Natural and Constructed Environment
Observational work falls in this category

Inner Feelings and Imagination
Expressive and imaginative work is in this category

Quest for Order
Careful and deliberate designs, patterns, and so on fit this category.
Order is generally found in all art work, whether it is figurative, narrative, or totally abstract in nature. Even chaos when it has been produced intentionally, might be interpreted as a form of order.