Many people ask Designers the age old question - What Inspires you? To be honest, I find it a very hard question to answer. Pin-pointing exactly what inspires me is never really something I can put into words.
However, in saying that the more I think about it and the more I learn and the more experiences I have there is one word which seems to ring around and around in my head. It is something I strive for every single day and it is something I truly admire in successful, innnovative people.
The word is originality which is defined as - The capacity to act or think independently.
I once read a quote by John Mason which said - 'You were born an original, don't die a copy.' To be an original, to be an innovator, to create something you can call your own. Isn't that what we all strive for in this life? To have full confidence in your own ability to create something wonderful is when everything falls into place. I hope that when I look back on my life I will be able to say I was an innovator and I was always true to my original self.
I was recently extremely inspired by a book on Celia Birtwell which was given to me as a gift. Her beautiful prints are unmistakable and it has been said that her work does not date. So true in fact that her Mystic Daisy pattern, as worn by Kate Moss in 2006, was a sellout for Topshop and yet this very same pattern was worn by Jane Birkin in the 70's.
In her own words about the process of collecting her thoughts for her book, Celia Birtwell says - 'that my life has been a patchwork of happy accidents without path or planning: and how hugely privileged I am that my prints have a language of their own that people really enjoy and understand.'
Her work stands out on it's own full of confidence and originality. There is nothing like it. Celia Birtwell is an inspiration.
17 comments:
I do adore the paintings of Celia by David Hockney.
Inspiration to me does come in originality and a bit of quirk factor. That's why I love you to Anna, you have a spirit, a quirk and lot of originality too.
pve
You inspire me!!!
Great comments Anna. I think to be original and stay true to what you love is so important.
Not jumping on the bandwagon with what everyone else is doing at the moment.
This is what is so very exciting about certain decor and designers work. Like Yours!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
i have this strange habit of thinking of a house project and trying to find the right frida kahlo painting to go with it (obviously a color person). it's weird, but i connect with her work - it's not just bright, there's depth and melancholy and thought. all the things i want to go into my space. we'll see if i can pull it off when all is said and done. by the way - i love your blog and shop and need to make a trip overseas just to come shop, maybe move in next door and decorate to my heart's content.
That is a hard question - everything inspires me! Since I started blogging and reading other people's blogs I am inspired everyday!
Jennelise
Going for walks and looking for the details really inspires me. Food styling done well does as well.
Anna, this is an excellent topic and one I have been thinking about for a while. I strive to be Original in my life. My career and lifestyle couldn't be more different from yours but I too try to be try to myself and March to the Beat of My Own Drum. In Blogs I see so much lack of originality and copy cat stuff in terms of images, words, everything, and it is always refreshing to see things that are unique from those who are being true to themselves.
Maybe it's a self belief thing, maybe it's a confidence thing, but I for one would like to see more Originality in Real life and in the virtual world.
Might blatantly steal the originality theme for my own blog.
xxxx
Beautifully written, Anna. Her work is beautiful and I am keen to add this book to my own collection. Thank you for being an inspiration yourself x
I love her quote about her life being a patchwork of happy accidents :)
Excellent! Well done, Anna!
Incredibly gorgeous and inspiring (which also would be a way to describe your whole blog!)
thanks for a great post :)
Thank you very much for this - I was very touched by your remarks. Keep up being an original! Celia Birtwell
Thank you for your lovely blog and kind words. Keep being an original! Best wishes Celia Birtwell
Dear Celia,
I was so thrilled to receive your comment on my post about you. You really are an inspiration and I truly admire you!
Thank you! Oh and you should start a blog. I know we'd all love to read your musings.
xx
Anna Spiro
How wonderful for you Anna that Celia commented! I've admired her for a long time. A truly genuine talented lady. How fantastic it would be if she'd start a blog.
How wonderful Anna that Celia left a comment! Such a uniquely talented lady.
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