This month's blog post is the next in our series of writing tips, but unlike the previous installments it does not focus on the process of writing itself. Instead, it delves into where our passion for writing comes from. No piece of art is created in a vacuum. It's cliché but true. Not only are my stories informed by my experiences, but the way in which I create them is influenced by the company I keep. I've never been more inspired to write than when I'm around other artists, not just writers, who are producing incredible work of their own. I look to the people around me as examples of the ideals I want to strive for in my own career. In the spirit of this theme, I thought I would take a moment to recognize the artists in my life who drive me to constantly hone my skills.
John Runnels
John is the singer, songwriter, and unyielding force of nature
behind the band Morning Bear. I met him on our first day of college a little more than ten years ago, and by that time he'd already released his first solo album. I've marveled at the progression of his career ever since as he's steadily executed on his vision of creating an orchestral indie folk band. This past year he masterminded a collaboration between his own ensemble and the Denver Nexus Project, a local string quintet, to produce an acoustically rich set that transported the entire crowd. John himself remarked during the performance that bringing together so many talented artists for such an incredible show really felt like he'd finally accomplished what he'd set out to do so long ago.
I try to get together with John for lunch when he's between tours so that I can hear about his latest endeavors and what's next for the band. That's the thing with John, every move he makes is a stepping stone to something greater. He continually progresses, little by little, until he can achieve something truly magnificent. In all honesty, if I didn't have John's perseverance as an example, I may never have finished Much Love. It's his unwavering persistence that gives me the drive to accomplish my own dreams.
Michael Ferenc
Michael and I have known each other for the better part of two decades, yet even so, he began studying music long before we met. Recently he has deigned to share his gift with the world at large as the keyboardist for the Alpine Falcons. For my own part, I've spent countless hours in the various dorm rooms and apartments that he's called home, listening to him recite all genre of music. He's commonly wrapping up a session when I arrive, or sitting down to practice as I leave. As such, the vast majority of his hours in front of his favorite instrument have been performing for an audience of himself. That's the thing about Michael, his passion for music is so great that he'll fill his life with it even without a crowd to listen. I always cherish the afternoons I get to lounge on his couch engrossed as he hammers out the classics. Such times remind me of the importance of making art if only for art's sake.
K. A. Pray
K. A. is without doubt the most prolific author I have the pleasure of knowing. With three published works to her name including the Cornerstone Cafe series, and a litany of other projects all swirling at once, her budding career never ceases to amaze me. This past summer I got an early look at her upcoming novel, A Brief History of Tea, and I am anxiously awaiting its release. The only thing that dwarfs her amazing capacity to generate literature is her amazing capacity to consume it. She is a voracious reader who can easily devour a book per day. Personally, I believe it's this craving for knowledge that fuels her productivity. K.A. is a teacher at heart. She yearns to gather insights, to become a nexus of information, so that she can disperse it to a greater audience. Seeing her work reminds me of the duty artists share to inform and illuminate with our craft.
Julia Williams
I first experienced Julia's talent during, of all things, a game of Pictionary. While I labored to draw something that bore even the slightest resemblance to a lion, she matter-of-factly created a near perfect rendition of Mufasa from The Lion King. Since then I've had the pleasure of working with her exactly once, during the IPAs and APIs Hackathon, in which her artistic direction played a major role in earning our team an honorable mention. It only takes a glance at Julia's portfolio to recognize how talented she is as a designer and illustrator. However, what her portfolio fails to convey is how effortless she makes the creative process appear. To watch Julia work you'd think it's the most simple thing in the world to produce breathtaking designs. That's the mark of a true master: the ability to make the most intricate and delicate process look like a walk in the park. Her seemingly innate ability to create inspires me to practice my own craft with the same devotion. Here's hoping that I may one day become one-tenth the writer that she is a designer.
So there you have it, the artists in my life that push me to become better every day. Now it's your turn. What artists in your life inspire the work you do?