Have you ever noticed that you tend to draw or write in a certain theme? For instance, if you favor Zombies… your work may reflect it. You may have more Zombie related work than let us say Sugarplum Romance filled Art and Writing. So, have you noticed this in your own work? How does movies and music inspire your creativity?
My work tends follow a seasonal cycle. The Seasons inspire feelings and direction in my work. This is a rough creative schedule in my comics. During this time I feel more motivated and inspired to work on a particular theme.
Spring: Suburban Fighters –Family Fun
Summer: Super Zero High- Comedy
Fall: The Hunted – Horror / Dark Work
Winter: Mythical Magick – Romance
My personal work also follows the seasonal cycle.
I have found that watching movies and listening to music can motivate me in certain artistic directions. For example: Watching my favorite horror movie puts me in a darker mindset. It inspires me to draw horror related stuff. If I watch a romance movie, I get in a lovey dovey mood. My artwork then follows that lovey dovey feeling. I use movies and music to break or reinforce my seasonal creative direction. Do you use the same tools as I do (Movies & Music)?
Single theme people, it’s wonderful if you found that you focus on one theme. That would mean you could spend more time perfecting that particular style. It would be easier to make yourself know for a particular style. The drawback is you may have a hard time breaking out of that mold. What do you think of the author Stephen King? He is known to be one of the Great Horror Writer Kings. What would you think if he wrote a story outside of his niche? Would you be open to it or would you judge it harshly? (The same thing applies to actors. Certain actors play the same roles because it is their niche While others can freely choose an assortment of roles.)
For those people like me who run in cycles; we tend to have different type of trouble. We are pretty much A Jack Of All Trades, But A Master Of None. We like too many things and have a hard time finding and focusing on a direction. It also is harder to be known for a particular style of work. The benefit and disadvantage of being flighty creatively is it is harder to be stuck in a mold. You also appear to be more flexible and not limited to one theme with your work.
Have you noticed a pattern in your own work yet? Do you think that is better to focus on one theme or several themes?
-MD
