Inspiration is Key!

This weekend, I will attend the annual local arts festival about an hour away from me. Since I live in a smaller college town, the arts festival is held every year in the major city of where I live. I love it, but it seems as though every year when I go, I'm with my husband and daughter, or even one year with my parents as well, only to be dealing with constant complaints of the heat or how bored they were. It's a hot weekend, as you can imagine, so throughout the day, all I hear is how hot everyone is—which of course, ruins the entire experience for me. Since it's located in the downtown area, you primarily walk around and check out the local artists' kiosks and enjoy their artwork. So yes, I can understand why it would be hot and uncomfortable, but for me, I avoid all of that and walk and gaze in each tent not to miss a single kiosk.


I love it and it inspires me, but it does ruin the entire day as I am subjected to the constant 'whining' about how hot everyone is. This year, I will be attending it alone. I think it's best.


I need this time to myself, and I need to walk around and feel inspired with uninterrupted grievances. Not that I can't empathize with how they feel, because let's face it, it is really hot, and for people who are not interested in art, it can be quite boring. I can sympathize with this emotion, but this year, I'm gonna do it alone!


I'm excited for this!


I think I need it, I really need this time to myself to appreciate other artists and their work. I only wish I could afford to showcase/sell my artwork as well, but since this arts festival has gotten so massive over the years, it has become a little out of my price range.


A part of that saddens me. I only wish there was some sort of local marketplace where artists who may not have the means to afford such lavish surroundings and events, can proudly display and sell their individual crafts. When I lived in NYC in the late 80's, I would enjoy walking downtown to enjoy the flea market filled with local artists and their creations. I only wish there was something equivalent of that here where I live.


But there isn't.

This is one of my favorite exhibits from 2011 - it's reminiscent of arcade-type retro designs

Since I've been on the lookout for a retro 70's-era pinball machine, this exhibit was my favorite. I love the designs and the retro-style arcade feel to it because it makes me want to go back to my childhood during that pre-video game craze—I loved it. Nothing can beat those days anymore.

I've always loved and still get inspired by retro designs of any sort. Or even a funky style that may not exactly be practical, but unique nonetheless. An imaginative approach.

Lime green chair - unfortunately I don't remember the artist's name—I just took the picture because

 I thought it looked cool! It looks like it's plastic and soft, but it was actually a hard chair.

Nothing inspires me more than seeing artists whose work is unique and out of the ordinary. It means they take chances and they take the time to think and create. Not just take a pencil and a sketchpad and draw something they see. They use their imagination instead, not just their eye.

Now, please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that artists who do create their work by sketching something they see aren't talented, but quite the contrary, they're very talented. However, what I am saying is, I don't think that takes much imagination to see and sketch, and it's not really the kind of art I'm into. I like artists who step outside of the box, not stay within them.

But again, art is subjective so there's no use in arguing there.

Local sculptor using unsual materials for this unusual sculpture

An area for children to paint a mural for whatever they want! I love it!!!

As I would continue to walk and peruse the local artists and their work, I'm in awe. I always say to myself how I wish I could do something like that, but I don't seem to have the nerve! But why not? Why can't I go out there and do something that artist can do? Isn't it all within, all of our art and our work? I don't mean to copy their work or "plagiarize" another artists' piece, but inspire me to do something like them—step away from my comfort zone and create something that will not only please me, but maybe please others as well.

This is a big step for me. As my bipolar mind and ramblings continue to fade, I know that the one thing that will make me happy will be to create—continue to create my work and my art in hopes of maybe pleasing others. 

Just like when they walk into my loft for the first time.

Ooooh ahhhh....

I will be inspired!

Bipolar Gal on Twitter

The Start.

Today I start this blog. A blog that will have great meaning to me. Why? Because I am about to reveal the last year of my life, and most likely from this day forward—that has been haunting me the entire time—something that has affected me and my family for a year. A long, tumultuous, emotional year. So emotional that I have decided to share it with you via this blog—put all my thoughts and past experiences as a way to move forward; put everything down on paper (or the internet). By doing this, I feel it's important to release my inner emotions to maybe, just maybe pursue peace within myself.

So please understand and accept my poor writing as a result of sharing my thoughts.

To be honest, I really don't know where to start.

I'm an artist, a designer, and a painter—although inexperienced and self-taught as a painter, I find it therapeutic nonetheless. It's an avenue I have always had interest in, something that I have been told I am good at. However, due to my insecurity since childhood, it's difficult for me to accept these acknowledgements—from friends or even strangers who have viewed my work. It's why I chose to title my blog, Bipolar By Design. The ramblings of a bipolar mind through art, not just writings.

As this blog progresses, I will submit samples of my work, samples of the designs I have implemented throughout my home—a loft. Yes, we have chosen to live in a loft. I find that living in a loft not only conserves the resources within our planet, but it allows me and my family the opportunity to walk to our local downtown area, enjoy the local parks—in lieu of a backyard—and close, easy walking distance to locally owned businesses, as well as stumbling home late at night from the local bars without the risk of driving.

Without getting ahead of myself, and without overwhelming you with all of my bipolar ramblings over the past year (because going back any further would be REALLY overwhelming—and I most likely forgot most of it, if not all of it), I will end it right here. But please, check back as I will post my work, post my design techniques not just within my home, but my paintings as well. If not babbling through this brand new blog.

Thanks for reading!

If you'd prefer to read more succinct ramblings, check out my twitter page as well.

Bipolar Gal on Twitter