Whenever seeking artistic inspiration, I often head to the upstairs Art Section in my local Barnes and Noble — packed with sleek oversized books on some of my favorite painters and sculptors.
The routine usually gives me a jolt, a creative spark, some much-needed encouragement to make art, even if I feel stuck.
On this day, I didn’t find what I needed. Until —I literally stumbled upon a scratched up old floorboard in the middle of the store. It had the delicate markings of a Twombly, and the subtle stains of a peach-colored Rothko.
Truth is — the intricate patterns were made by scuff marks and general wear and tear on a well-trafficked public floor — but oh, what sweet beauty.
I snapped a pic on my iPhone, and printed it out on dense fine art paper. It totally made my day.
The moral of the story is: when seeking your creative muse, it pays to look where you normally don’t. While you’re exploring the predictable path, your feet could be discovering an artistic masterpiece. It’s always about being open — allowing yourself to really see things around you. And under you. And everywhere.
