Inspiration, Pinterest, and the Fine Line...

I am a Pinterest addict! I love browsing and being able to "organize" inspirational projects and ideas onto boards and collections and into categories in order to refer back to creative ideas, tutorials, recipes, crafty projects and more. But like many "Pinners" out there Pinterest can be both a blessing and a curse! On the positive side I've been able to learn new techniques in sewing, digital design and photography. I've been inspired by artists, crafters, gardeners, and bloggers. I've saved myself hours of research by finding just the information or teaching tools I've been looking for just by typing in simple key words or phrases. But often, in my enthusiasm I've pinned myself into a funk of sorts: the "omg, that idea's already been done to death! Why would anyone want to see my interpretation and how would they even find it amongst the endless sea of projects/sketches/photographs/ideas etc???! Still I keep pinning away, lucky to attempt 1/10th of the things that make their way to my pinboards. While being inspired why is it that occasionally I can end up feeling so discouraged?



The same thing happens to me when I get out of the house to do some "field research". I'll visit the local card or scrapbooking store with the intent of mentally noting trends in design, subject matter, color and pattern. With all of these visuals swirling around in my brain suddenly I'm blank rather than inspired. The Inner Critic rears her ugly head and whispers "what could YOU possible have to offer?"

So far the only way I can think of to counter this problem is:

#1: Try to limit my screen time.
#2: Spend more time with the sketchbook.
#3: Refer back to my last post and begin with an attitude of No Pressure. I have to remember that not everything that comes on the page has to be a finished product or masterpiece, or even sellable.

I do not know WHY I get so caught up in this "It has to sell!" mentality, and it frustrates me. Until I'm ready to commit to creating a collection of some sort it isn't necessary or productive. Maybe instead I'll try to adopt the reason why I started drawing again back in 2005: simple fun challenges like Illustration Friday or journaling. Because right now I still feel so awkward and rusty, overthinking things and wasting time looking at what everyone else is putting out there, instead of putting my own self out there. I'm shallow but practical that way: I want to create things that people like, and ultimately that companies will license and buy. Taking baby-steps by stepping away from the screen and picking up the pen is probably the best place for me to start.