Story Gatherings | Nashville, Tennessee

Inspiration Matters

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Written by Kellyn Robison

Inspiration Matters

I love that inspiration is at the heart of so much of how we at STORY serve creatives. As Scott Barry Kaufman points out in this great article for Harvard Business Review, inspiration matters.

“In a culture obsessed with measuring talent and ability, we often overlook the important role of inspiration. Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.”

So true, isn’t it? I love how inspiration awakens me to new possibilities and helps me “transcend my limitations.” Here’s some more fuel to propel you forward as you start your week…

  • Are you a stressed out filmmaker who is horrible at drawing? How about a stressed out graphic designer, or a live performer, or a writer who can’t paint? Science says you should still give it a shot, because a new study says making art relieves stress, even if you suck at it.
  • If you still hate drawing or painting, maybe you can just try blowing bubbles at something, like this artist does with her pottery. Everyone loves to blow bubbles.
  • In regards to making art, for our friends and creators working in churches and faith-based environments, we loved this challenge from Stephen Brewster asking, “are you making art, history, or just noise?”.
  • Regardless of what environment you create in, or what audience you create for, Lowes reminds us that even if your job is to sell tools, storytelling always wins.
  • Isn’t it amazing how, as technology develops, there are “old” art forms that continue to leave us in awe because of how creators use them? While the world is talking about filming everything in 4k at the highest frame rate possible, some artists are still blowing our minds with stop motion pieces. We recently discovered Rachel Ryle, who started posting videos in 2013 as a hobby, and now it’s her full time job. Check out her work and let it inspire you.
  • Speaking of technology, we’re in the middle of conversations surrounding how we’re going to make use of LED this year at STORY. I wish we could have some LED-equipped pigeons flying around the CMA Theater, but the Country Music Hall of Fame wouldn’t approve the idea. 😉 We’re still inspired by this project though, from Brooklyn-based artist Duke Riley about 2,000 homing pigeons illuminating the night sky of NYC.
  • If you’re a die-hard Apple fan, here’s another fly-over you can get excited about. The Apple Campus 2 looks pretty legit in this drone footage.
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Kellyn Robison

VP of Everything at Istoria Collective.