mission: MUSE - "what inspires you?"
by guest muse kim klassen
Inspiration...usually surrounds me ...it seems easily available, in fact it’s somewhat endless. I am blessed with a wonderful sunny studio space.... full of art supplies and pretty things. Wide open spaces to walk and reflect. I have a family and home I love. There’s the whole online world of endless inspiration! I truly have so much to be thankful for. As an artist and photographer i am constantly inspired by one thing or another.
When Tammy asked me to write about inspiration it seemed like a no brainer. I mean, there’s the Inspiration Studio, full to the brim with inspirational contributors. There’s the Café with all kinds of amazing people popping in and sharing their love and encouragement. But as easy as I thought it would be...it just wasn’t.
Basically, it’s been one of those weeks. For no particular reason...you know the kind... When a funk just hits you and won’t go away. I have felt rather uninspired and really quite blah. Not enough so that I stopped creating.....but not my usual over ignited, crazy inspired self. So I have been going through the motions sort of speak.
But, there has been one place this week where I have felt myself...where all was right again. That was out on the trail with Ben and his ‘cousin’ Sophie... breathing in the cool, crisp air...soaking up nature, and watching the 2 of them play. Their tails wagging... pure JOY! The funk would lift, and once again, all was right in the world.
So when I looked up the definition of Inspiration I smiled to myself:
Inspiration: definition: the drawing of breath.
And I thought... Yes, the drawing of breath...that is exactly what happens when I leave my work and escape to the trail....I really, truly... BREATHE. ‘sigh’...such a beautiful thing.
I believe the trail, especially this week has been my saving grace. If I didn’t have Ben here...wagging his tail, eagerly waiting for me to put on my shoes and coat... I would not have made it off this chair. I would have said... not today...and just plugged away...grumble, grumble...
Today I celebrate my pets...Ben and our sweet Andy boy, before him...Sophie too...One of the best gifts life has given me. And I celebrate breaks from routine and work...fresh air (even when it’s cold and miserable out)... giving us a chance to regroup and carry on.
Kisses to you, sweet Andy in Heaven... I miss you.....
The simple love of our pets...such a beautiful thing.
Here’s to fresh air, longs walks and our pets.... simple, pure and truly inspirational...
A favourite quote: ‘may I be the kind of person my dog thinks I am’
xo kim klassen
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30 high res textures and 6 textured overlays. (300 dpi, measuring 12 x 12") Textures were created from original background paintings, inked papers, old books and images of the aged goodness found in our antique home.
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Interested in learning the skinny-mini of Image editing? My FREE Photoshop Skinny-Mini eCourse course begins November 8th.
ooooh my gosh, love your post! you know i'm a big fan of you and your textures! and my husband likes you too right away since he's canadian and very into canadian people lol. i love your dogs! i am inspired by your work. i actually thought about you today at lunch, i saw these seats with cool lines and colors and i was wondering if you could do textures out of it...anyway, that was just a thought, i'm sure you have more awesome stuff to work with. love the give away too.
ReplyDeletepure joy is right! thse puppies are sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that so true? Sometimes we have to be nudged into doing things that ultimately make us feel so great.
ReplyDeleteLoving your doggies :)
I love that after all this talk of inspiration, you went back to the basics and looked up the definition. I would not have guessed that to be the definition, but when I look at the word itself, well duh it totally makes sense! It brings a completely new feel to the word and the idea. Pets are so amazing, I think they pick up on how people are feeling, so maybe they new you needed a little nudge of inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing the ups and downs of your inspiration, and how you get it back. I sometimes look up to folks like you, doing a creative business you clearly love, and don't imagine that the ups and downs are there for you too. Love your doggie photos, your comments on Andy reminded me of our special dog Tasha we lost earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteThat post is so adorable - I love those photos and also the text, which made me think...!
ReplyDeleteI too find that often my best ideas comes when I am out walking and enjoying the scenary and breathing deeply and enjoying watching other peoples' dogs
ReplyDeleteFor me inspiration is going on a trail too and paying attention to the little things walking with the dogs into an unfamiliar direction.
ReplyDeleteKim--you are amazing--and so are your textures...
ReplyDeleteI love your textures and you wrote a wonderful post.
ReplyDeletelove the doggie photos! you are right, my dog is always there, no matter what kind of day i've had. thanks for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kim. When I'm down I too seek out the company of my dog. In fact it was just last week, must be something in the cool air. I feel your grief over Andy. I lost my 17 1/2 year old companion less than a year ago. Now we have a Stella to love us unconditionally.
ReplyDeleteIt was just this week that I found your blog and yesterday that I signed up for your mailing list. I'm just beginning my Photoshop journey and loving it so far. Your textures are truly amazing and your generosity admirable.
i am feeling that way myself this week, and i see the sun shining through the window, and my bicycle calling me from the dusty garage -- i'm going to hit the streets and feel the wind in my hair.
ReplyDeletethanks so much kim for your generosity of spirit. you inspire me every day, and your gorgeous textures have elevated my work to a new level. xoxo
just thinking about my puppadupolis always makes me happy and brings me back to a place of or towards some inspiration, pets are the best, getting out and walking with my camera loosens up the inspiration muscle too. wonderful post!
ReplyDeletePhotogaphy, your textures, AND pets... All my favorites in one spot. *swoon* Thank you for musing with us. xo Tam
ReplyDeleteAlways, always, always my Toby makes me feel better. That unconditional love that he gives me so freely is irreplacable. Thank you Kim for this beautifully inspired post and for all of your beautifully inspired sharing.
ReplyDeleteFunks are hard to shake at times. Sometimes its the nudge of a pets nose that gets you up and moving. Unconditional love. Nothing like it.
ReplyDeleteKim...YOU inspire me! I found your photoshop course, "the skinny" the most enjoyable and understandable on the basics that I tried...I plan on taking the rest of your courses too...I'm just slow:) Thank you for your inspiration and all those lovely textures!
ReplyDeleteKim - what a stunning reminder of the importance of taking time to be!
ReplyDeleteoh my, thank you for all the sweet comments ... and sweetness....it was lovely to visit here today .... 'sigh'....
ReplyDeletexxo, kim
Wonderful post. And what cute doggies!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly the greatest Kim! I love your work. Wish I had more time to spend on your course the skinny though...
ReplyDeleteJenny
Always an inspiration - wherever you go..there you are. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I enjoyed reading your post, Kim. Love your images of your dogs.
ReplyDelete