“The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.”
Stephen Nachmanovitch
When I saw “muse” was the theme of the latest Weekly Photo Challenge I knew the days ahead were going to be full of beautiful photos and posts as bloggers around the world let us peek behind their creative curtains while sharing inspirations and favorite places. Regular readers know I love living in the Pacific Northwest and write a weekly series highlighting how I find photographic inspiration in the midst of daily life so I want to lead this post in a slightly different direction and talk about the feelings behind these moments rather than a particular view.
Inspiration comes in many forms and often it’s the result of a visual trigger but sometimes a thought during conversation, a piece of music or a well written passage can generate that same sense of excitement and discovery. That special moment when you recognize the birth of a new idea. As an adult I compare that singular feeling to care free childhood days when something simple was so fantastic it filled my head and heart with happiness. These moments don’t have to be big but kids know how to live them to the fullest and creative adults have a knack for remembering that easy joy while translating it into their art.
Of course I couldn’t illustrate this topic without sharing a summer view from the San Juan Islands but my favorite part of this photo is the free-spirited smiles freely shared by Ryan and my niece Emma after a sun filled day at the beach. They look happy, content and ready for adventure – my favorite kind of muse.
I always love finding big pieces of driftwood like Emma’s. Great to imagine what they could morph into. 🙂 Hi to Ryan.
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That big piece of driftwood was everyone’s favorite last summer. 🙂 Ryan says hello to you as well!
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A delightful twist on the challenge Lisa, and you are so right. Photographic inspiration comes from using ALL our senses and what a lovely photo to illustrate this.
Jude xx
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Thanks so much for the nice comments, Jude. It’s nice to hear you enjoyed my take on the challenge and pov regarding inspiration. 🙂
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Love the free-spirited smiles capture!
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Thanks, Amy! It’s one of my favorite summertime photos and the result of a quick snap before walking to the car. 🙂
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I wish I had been there too with you free spirits! 😉
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It was a beautiful day, maybe we’ll see you next time. 😉
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Great shots and I love living in the pacific northwest and all of the beautiful adventures it provides for me and my camera.
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There really are beautiful views everywhere we look, Ruth. We love it here too.
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Both of them indeed do look very happy. Hope they got some ice-cream too…the weather looks perfect for it 😉 Great interpretation of the theme. The child within us never fails to surprise and inspire.
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Oh yes, we had ice cream time every afternoon, Mabel. 🙂 I like your line “the child within us never fails to surprise and inspire.” Thanks. 🙂
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Awwww! So nice and wonderful! What a beautiful feeling they project in this photo – it says it all.
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Thanks, Bebs. 😊 Their smiles really do say it all.
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childhood joy! love their smiles, Lisa! 🙂 beautiful response to the challenge 🙂
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Childhood joy is simply the best. 🙂 Thanks, Lola.
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A beautiful and true sentiment. The photo is so sweet 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Lisa. I never doubted you had a very potent muse 🙂
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I appreciate your comments, Paula. 🙂 My living, playing, laughing muses are always ready for adventure. 🙂
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nice point of view
i really like that
come to see mine :
http://www.sylvain-landry.com/challenge/muse-the-daily-posts-weekly-photo-challenge.html
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Thank you, Sylvain. 🙂
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Beautiful quote and photograph. I love the effortless elegance.
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Thanks so much litadoolan. I appreciate your visit and description of the post. “Effortless elegance”. I’ll have to remember that phrase.
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lovely pair!
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Thank you. 🙂
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🙂 you’re welcome…
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