What lies underneath

Detail of a wall in Carlton (Melbourne).

I do believe in messages from the universe, and I’ve had the same one twice this week from slightly different angles, and combined, makes a fantastically useful tool when looking for inspiration, so I thought I’d share what I have distilled out of it, and pass it on……

italian totmatoes at Medittaraneo wholesalers 

Collect everything that interests you – rip random pages from newspapers and magazines, take photos, save favourites on flickr.  Save, save, save.

Photo taken of the screen during Life on Mars – that face was just watching me I’m sure.  I’ll have to use her for something at some point……. 

Here’s an important bit.  Don’t steal. Stealing is bad.  Stealing will bring bad kharma for sure.  Stealing will  make you feel cheap and nasty and dishonest – and if it doesn’t it should.

Never use the whole of something, but springing off from a detail is fine.  If you like a picture, focus on the intangibles of what is appealing – dig deep – is it the fact that there are 30 shades of white?  Is it the tomato red next to the jade green that you would never have thought of on your own.  Is it the bend of a tree that mirrors the bend of an arm in the foreground?  Or perhaps zoom in much closer than is reasonable and look at detail that is so abstracted by size that is makes no sense as an object any more (that can be marvellous).

Button man (lying on his side) by Zara – beautiful and unexpected colour combinations, and abstracted shapes – tiny feet and big nostrils.  Kids art can help you to see things with fresh eyes again.

All these things can be used in a painting, decorating a room, designing a garment or setting up a photograph.

Be brave – don’t be boring.  Go first. Go on – I dare you.