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Many artists depend on   "something" to inspire their creativity and help them transform art materials into a stunning work of art. That   "something" could be music piped into their studio; or aromatherapy spicing up the work atmosphere; or even color bursting from the walls of where they do art. Quite often, words of inspiration, a famous quote, or words of advice from a friend, are what is needed to get the artist moving. 

A number of Gallery Moab artists utilize words of inspiration. They have reasons for their admiration of particular word combinations. Many of them remind themselves daily of these inspiring words by placing the quote somewhere they can readily see and feel. It is an effective way to immerse themselves in the quote and its meaning. 

Joanne Savoie, a terrific potter and skilled adventurer in clay, refers to one quote by Philip Rawson. This particular one comes up again and again in her artistic life. Even though she has a few humorous or snarky quotes hanging about, this one by Rawson rings true to her. 

"Good pottery always eludes the tyranny of technology." 

by Philip Rawson

Joanne explains that "truly all my ideas and efforts, skill or exploration must pass through the technology of the kiln, the treatment to fire. Fire, the true tyrant, also holds court in a potter's world." Sometimes the pottery succumbs to the fire and is affected in a way that is not intended. "We (potters) learn to celebrate the outcomes or try again. It is humbling and maddening and we still grovel to the 'kiln gods' to bless us one more time. The tyranny of technology! Indeed!" Joanne uses this quote, I think, to ground her expectations, to reassure herself that sometimes the result will not be what she wants, but she, nevertheless, continues her quest to master the fire. These inspiring words vibrate and resonate in her, the artist and potter.

An amazing painter at Gallery Moab, is Marsha Modine, who has a sensitive eye for color and detail. She fell in love with a quote when only fourteen and uses it in life, in general, but also in her artistic life.

"If I have seen farther than others, it is because I have stood on the 

shoulders of giants"

by Sir Isaac Newton

"I realized that any advancement in all the sciences was made easier by what had been discovered before. As an artist, I have found that studying my favorite artists also gives me information in how I want to go forward on a painting (or not)." Marsha's quote gives her a plan for how she can proceed with her art making. It is like a steward to her adventure in painting. It gives her good word vibrations.

The energy of the spoken or written word vibrates and resonates inside us. Words continue to be heard by the artist long after heard or read. When repeated many times they become influential and meaningful. Positive words inspire, while negative words despair. Positive, inspirational words breathe life into us. (The word inspire comes from the Latin word: inspirare, meaning to breath or blow into.) They activate our creativity and problem-solving abilities as it relates to art making. 

Another Gallery Moab artist is printmaker, Deborah McDermott, whose detailed prints bring the landscape of Moab to life. She describes this encounter with John Muir's inspiring quote. 

"When I came across this quote by John Muir it, resonated with me."

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

by John Muir

The words evoke a physical action (tugging) which is a metaphor for looking, searching, exploring, probing or contemplating how all things - plants, animals, earth and sky have natural relationships, and how the design and inter-connectedness of the parts add up to a magnificent whole," Deborah explains. 

As an artist, Deborah "feels the tug of ideas provided by the natural world: textures and patterns, shapes and forms, color and light, space and contrast." Using these elements, Deborah can express ideas about the dramatic physical environment around her. She says, "I am in awe of Nature's design. By trying to represent aspects of the natural world, I am attempting to feel part of the big picture." 

For good reason, Deborah keeps this quote pinned to the wall in her studio.

Peggy Harty, the manager and a board member of Gallery Moab, who is also a fantastic pastelist and quilter, sums up many artists' feelings about why they create. She has a gaily decorated card from 1978, which has the title, "On being Happy".

She thinks that what drives artists to create,   "boils down to: It makes us happy! Yes, there are times it is frustrating, but then it is the challenge and problem solving that drives it." These words of inspiration speak mightily to the artist. They can easily vibrate inside us.  

Another favorite quote of Peggy also speaks to happiness. 

"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye and the eye through the mind. As the sun colours flowers, so does art colour life."

by John Lubbock 

Peggy describes her process for gathering material for her wonderful landscapes created in pastel. She describes, "The other day I was out hiking and taking pictures. Just seeing the compositions and shooting the picture gives me joy and excites my spirit. Oftentimes what I see is much more exciting than what I can actually capture with my camera which is why plein air painting (painting outdoors) is so powerful."

Finally, this quote by Albert Einstein is so appropriate.. He said, 

"Creativity is intelligence having fun."

All of these inspiring and favorite quotes of some of the artists at Gallery Moab, resonate and vibrate in their body and mind. It is good to feed ourselves with inspiration. Do you have a quote that is an inspiration for whatever you do?

I leave you with my favorite quote. What does this mean to you? Does it vibrate in you? 

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."

by Henry Ford