Personal Post: my idea book and honoring your thoughts

by | Jan 14, 2015 | Personal Life

Idea_Book_Art_Journal_Green_Bay_Collage_DrawingI was not one of those kids in school who was “such a good drawer”; I didn’t seemed destined to create perfect likenesses, I didn’t garner compliments from classmates or artwork hung in the hallway.  Instead, I was a kind of the weird kid – the one who did homework in crayon, doodled in class, and got in trouble for daydreaming and breaking project rules.  I was full of messy ideas that didn’t always make complete sense.  But, regardless of all of this, I was absolutely in love with the possibility of making things and sharing my ideas with others.  It was a way of thinking that drove me toward art rather than a skill-set founded in pencils and paint.  I loved making, and thinking about things that others had made, and I knew it was something that would always be a part of me.

Entering college as an art major meant many introductory courses focused on skills and repetition; and though I valued learning my craft, I also resented the rules that restrained what media I could use, what size I must draw, and what subject I must work from.  Amidst these classes (and all number of boring gen-eds), I had a Design Methods course taught by David Damkoehler (since retired) in which we were to spend a semester solving problems through critical thinking and artistic innovation.  The class required the purchase of a Moleskine sketchbook which I found shockingly small (just larger than my hand) and filled with smooth, bound pages.

On one of our first days in class Professor Damkoehler delivered a lecture about how each one of us was born with our our own style of drawing, and instead of raging against it, or pressuring it to conform, we should learn to appreciate it and work with it.  Our Moleskines became our idea books, and freed us from the pressure of what a sketchbook had to be.  Instead of detailed graphite and charcoal drawings, we made lists, and collages, and doodles and tiny thumbnail paintings. Any idea that came to us went into our books unedited and in ink to prevent us from erasing it out of fear that it was stupid or unimportant. We were taught to accept the mistakes and value the messiness of our own thoughts.  The pressure was off, and the result was students who trusted their gut and created more meaningful work.

I am a strong believer that rules can be a hindrance to ideas – whether these rules were set by someone else, or unconsciously set by ourselves.  Whatever your job is, wherever your interests lie, we are made of ideas.  And these ideas dare us to create solutions, think critically, chase our goals, and be honest with ourselves.  They are valuable.

Since that class I have always kept an idea book.  It travels with me, sits empty when I feel uninspired, and opens up when I remember that working is how you make inspiration.  It is a way to challenge myself, recharge my thoughts, and let go of things I can’t keep inside.  There are drawings, and journal entries, and random sleep-inspired scrawlings, and I can feel good about all of it – the madness that makes up who I am, unedited.

__________________________________________________________________________

This summer I will be teaching a class on Discovering Your Vision for Photography in which we will be doing a lot of thought exercises, building toward understanding our ideas and brainstorming how to visually translate them. It will be a great introduction to how to begin an idea book and how to use it as a tool to create. The class will be held at Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek and requires no previous photography or art experience.  I would love to share this process with you. www.peninsulaschoolofart.com

Meet Kasey & Ben

A husband and wife photography team specializing in wedding and portrait photography in Door County & Green Bay, Wisconsin

Like what you see?

We’d love to hear from you!

Send us a message to inquire about your portrait session or wedding.  

More blogs like this one

Personal Post: Juniper Turns Three

Personal Post: Juniper Turns Three

Life is different right now. We see less people and go fewer places. Things that used to be general toddler rules -- keep your hands to yourself,...

The Photo I Really Wanted to Share

The Photo I Really Wanted to Share

I have a vision for everything. I am easily influenced by space and clothing and light and color. I can see how one thing connects to another thing...

13 Comments

  1. cathy costelow

    When is the class? I would love to take it.

    • Kasey Hock

      Hello Cathy! The class in scheduled for June 29th-July 1st this summer. If it’s not up on their website yet, it should be posted soon. 🙂 Hope to see you there!

      • Cathy Costelow

        4 days then? 9 – 4? I was so inspired by your idea book last summer. I plan on taking this class too.

        • Kasey Hock

          Thanks! Three days; Monday – Wednesday 9:00-1:00 with quite a bit of work outside of class (that’s why we’re planning for shorter days).

          • Cathy Costelow

            Great. Do you know the cost? Won’t be on Peninsula’s site till February. Trying to get a friend to come along.

  2. Kasey Hock

    Sorry, Cathy, I never know that either until it’s published.

    • cathy costelow

      All registered! Looking forward to it!

      • Kasey Hock

        Wonderful! Looking forward to it! Be sure to spread the word!

        • Cathy

          Will do!!!

  3. Tosha

    I wasn’t a “drawer” in school either. I really didn’t even like art class! Amazing how time changes you! Your class sounds amazing!

    • Kasey Hock

      Thanks, Tosha!

  4. Ashley

    Love keeping an idea “book” too! I keep mine in my phone, since I usually always have it with me and don’t forget it at home, but it keeps me creative and I’m able to jot down ideas whenever they strike me!

  5. Chelsea

    I have notes all over the house, my phone, my computers sticky notes, and they serve as my idea book. Never let an idea slip because you never know when it’s going to come back. It’s quite funny how the arts can serve so many futures. I went to school for architecture and in so many ways it’s similar to other art majors. It has served me well with my photography business.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This