Finding Inspiration
One of the subjects I wanted to share with you today was inspiration and shed some light on my approach. If you already follow my instagram account you will be aware I have a deep fondness for anything vintage, particularly textiles and books. The sentimental side of me finds real comfort in the idea I am holding an item that had a previous life. The history lover in me examines the clues that reflect aspects of it's place in social history and the artist in me pores over the colours and forms that provide a feast for my eyes.
I have been rescuing antique photos or cabinet cards for quite a few years now. I genuinely would feel guilty walking away from ones I found at car boot sales or flea markets. I have no idea who the people are in them but it just gave me comfort to think they had a good home again…maybe I overthink these things;D
Sentiments aside, cabinet cards which are photos that were mounted on card and often had the photography studio's details on can be a great source of inspiration for artists and designers. Particularly; if you turn them over…
Here is the back of the card with the little girl. I love so much about this border. I love how light the design feels even though there is so much detail. The main scrolling vine looks like it could be made of iron with the semi realistic flowers and leaves sprouting out of it. The way the vine intertwines is also great inspiration for pattern making.
Now look at that type. I particularly love the E and C unsurprisingly as I love the artistic possibilities of calligraphic flourishes used in logos (like I have used in my own logo to suggest a vine or thread going through the needle) I wouldn't necessarily use the selection of styles of type they have used in this design altogether but just pick up on the details I do like and jot them down for my own reference.
One of the strongest arguments for looking to the past for inspiration is strangely that you have more chance of your work being original and authentic. If you look closer at the aspects you admire and then take those elements and use them with your own original spin your work will feel fresh and will reflect your journey. This is nothing new as artists have always looked back and then created with the materials or technologies available to them.
William Morris is a great example of this. His love of intimate medieval gardens influenced his approach to his own gardens and then in turn his designs and attitude to home decoration was influenced by his own gardens.
Luckily we are blessed with so many ways to find these hidden gems now and obviously we don't all have a stash of antique photos in our drawer so here are some online places you can visit to view cabinet cards.
THE FLIP SIDE (A Flickr commons group page)
Hope you enjoyed that peek into one of the ways I find inspiration. I'd love to hear how you find inspiration?
Take Care,
Cassandra xx