Inspiration in the Studio: May 2021

This month has been a wild ride. I have found myself taking solace in the comfortable softness of fabrics, warm tones, sunsets and more. I've been returning to a lot of music I used to listen to back in high school, and even middle school to both find comfort, but also to uncover some of the teenager-y places I've been ruminating over.

May Reading List

Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert.

If you have heard about this book or have had it recommended to you at one time or another, this is your sign to just finally read the dang book. If you've never heard of this book, please also just read the dang book. Anyone who has ever had the stirrings of creativity within them will feel so many beautiful things reading this book about creativity. As a born worry-wart and artist, this book was inspiring and freedom giving to just GET ON with it all. Make the art. A must read.

The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard, Ollivier Pourriol.

This is a book I picked up for light reading, but instead got a hearty dose of philosophy. I am someone who thinks too much, is easily paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision, and perpetually tries too hard to make things happen. This book gave me a lot of peace and direction not by giving me a direction, but by telling me to trust my gut. Sometimes you need to let things happen, sometimes you need to just pick a damn direction and go, and doing something the hard way does not mean it's the right way. Recommend for fellow worriers who can get caught up in their own heads. A chewier read than expected, but good!

Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen

When I say this is the best time I've had reading in a long time, I mean it. Sure it's a good book. The story is good and the author is talented. But more than that, this book knew EXACTLY what I wanted and just gave it to me. It was charming, sweet, lovely, cute, magical, and honestly I would venture to call it perfect. It's not a masterpiece of writing, but I simply don't care. It's my perfect novel, and I'll probably be checking out every Sarah Addison Allen book I can get my hands on in the near future. This will be my recommended novel for a long time to anyone who wants and easy, sweet story. I ate this book up in a day.

Imagery

Moody window lighting

Sunset Tones

Star Wars

Media