the beautiful unseen

Let’s do something new. Something exciting. If it is enjoyed, we’ll continue, if not, we’ll bury it in the archives not to be brought up again until I’m running for political office.

“Something new.” Quite possibly the most powerful statement in the world because if you are trying something new, you have an idea. And ideas, ladies and gentlemen, are what separate the legendary from the forgotten.

Ideas are brewed in our heads and in our hearts. If you ask a thousand of the greatest designers of all time where the essence of their work comes from, where that creative spark is born, I can promise you the vast majority are going to say “their environment” in one way or another, somewhere on the list.

The bad news:
You have no control over your innate talent.

The good news:
You have absolute control over what you feed your muse.

The best news:
Inspiration is FREE! Just open your eyes and pay attention!

Faucet dripping

Today you are alive, I can guarantee that because dead people can’t read (yet). As long as you are alive, you have the opportunity to pay attention and incorporate what you experience into your work. I’m tentatively naming this new “thing” I want to introduce “the beautiful unseen” (I say “tentatively” because, frankly, nothing is permanent).

How is this thing going to work? I’m thinking scenarios. This entry’s scenario is to go into your kitchen, find opposites and study them. Opposite in color, material, temperature, anything. Put them together and take a picture for your own archive. Put it on Flickr and post the link here. If you don’t have a camera, go buy one (and in the meantime, sketch it and scan it).

Wood & metal

Good luck. Have fun. Try not to get hurt.