I’m open to getting creative inspiration anywhere, within reason of course. When the universe offers me a solid source of inspiration, I try to take full advantage. Do you know what the universe has given me a lot to work with? Memories. My brain is full of them. They’re all bouncing around, occupying space and energy. I’m grateful they’re there. Well, I’m grateful most of them are there. Some of them could leave. But I think it’s worth doing something with them. Like honoring, exposing, or enjoying them through art.
Memories can be an abundant source of creative inspiration and a lot of art exists in an effort to retain, recreate, and reflect on an artist’s memories. I had to read The Confessions of Saint Augustine in a college class and still think about his theory that our minds are our memories. You, the person you are, is a collection of your memories. The reason you know how to turn on the faucet or count to ten is because of your memories. The reason you have relationships or preferences is because you had experiences, were impacted by them, and remember relevant information. If you suddenly lost all your memories, who would you be? Someone would have to teach you how to turn on a faucet again and you would have to commit that to memory, all over again. I don’t know if St. Augustine’s theory is right, but it sounds believable and emphasizes the importance of memories.
IN CONCLUSION: Whether you’re creating art yourself, or working with students, clients, or your own children, the experience of making art inspired by memories can be both enjoyable and meaningful. Ok, enough of the philosophy stuff, let’s have some fun with art and whatnot.
Examples of How Artists Represent Memories
Many artists are inspired by memories; happy memories, traumatic memories, boring memories, recent memories, and memories from years ago. Any memory can fuel the creative fire if you’re willing to work with it. Here are some examples of recent art about memories created by women artists:
Body Memory:
In “Figures,” A Quartet of Women Artists Examine Trauma and the Body
OTOBONG NKANGA: MEMORY CONSTELLATIONS
Memories Of Time and Our Own Body:
Women Artists in Indonesia after New Order
Benefits of Making Art Inspired by Memories
- Art is fun! We can make art for pleasure of creating- not everything needs to be about healing or lead to increased productivity.
- Art gives you a place to “put” your memories. Sometimes, our memories are restless and need somewhere to sit. Maybe a memory can be contained on paper or canvas.
- Art can make memories real. Memories can be abstract. We might doubt our memories or forget them altogether unless they become tangible.
- Art helps you work through things. From an art therapy perspective, creating art about memories can be an opportunity to process past events and move forward.
- Art empowers you to share your experiences with others. Creatively communicate your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. This is an accessible way to be vulnerable.
- Art inspires more creativity! I bet you have a lot of memories, so there’s a lot to work with.
Memories to Use as Inspiration for Art
If you don’t know what memory you want to use as artistic inspiration, take a look at this list of prompts.
🧸 A memory from childhood
🍂 A memory from your favorite season
🧑🏽🍼 A memory about a parent/guardian/grandparent/adult
🎁 A memory that feels like a precious treasure
❌ A memory you don’t usually think about
🤡 A memory you’re embarrassed about
🎉 A memory that makes you laugh”
🔄 A memory that revisits you often
📣 A memory you want someone to know about
💊 A memory that relieves pain
🕳 A memory about a loss
🔒 A memory that keeps you safe
If your memories become too overwhelming or unsafe during this process, please take a break and take care of yourself.
Questions to Ask If You’re Feeling Stuck
Are you ready to get creative and make some art?!?! You are encouraged to express your memories with whatever artistic style, technique, medium, color, and/or material feels best to you. Go ahead, get messy! If you want a little guidance before starting, answer these questions and go from there:
- What did you look like during this time? Make a self-portrait from this time in your life.
- What color do you associate with this memory? Use different tone of this color throughout your art.
- Where does this memory take place? Draw a map of the memory.
- Who was there? Use this person or animal as the focus point of your work.
- What feeling is most present? Instead of creating art that literally depicts the memory, make art that represents this feeling.
- Is this memory clear or are parts missing? Signify any gaps in the memory with question marks, blank boxes,
- What three words would you use to describe this memory to another person? Create art the expresses those words.
- What happened right before or after this memory? What memory comes before this one? What memory comes after? Draw a storyboard or use a timeline to share the story.
- What senses are involved with this memory? How can you represent these smells, tastes, sights, touches, sounds though art?