Made By, Inspired By.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR CREATIVITY?
Inspiration can come from any number of places. From the deep recesses of our early memories, from our family and peers, from moments of dreaming, from nature or the creative world.
Each one of our lived experiences are singular and unique. Meaning can take shape for one person in one way and in a different way for another. And often it can come from random sources. A line you read in a book, a conversation you overheard in a cafe, the colour of ochre in a cliff face or a bird on a wire.
The inspiration for the name ‘Bird On A Wire’ came directly from Leonard Cohen’s song of the same name. The wine I make under this name is inspired by the grapes I use, the styles of wines I love, my training and my peers, but I also find inspiration from many other sources.
Creativity builds curiosity. And if you’re highly curious, your creativity can develop in many forms.
Winston Churchill’s insights, leadership and command of the written and spoken word were inspired by his passion for history, his studies of war and strategy and no doubt, his personal experiences. He also indulged what time he could mastering oil painting, becoming quite an accomplished artist of landscapes from the age of 40. The hardened politician began to dabble in the creative arts to help him manage the hard times and his notorious ‘black dog’.
It is thought Churchill’s creativity was inspired by Monet, Cézanne and artist friends like William Nicholson. The process of painting helped him hone his powers of observation and memory, which were critical for him in his role as the UK’s Prime Minister during its darkest days.
Allowing ourselves to open up and charter new terrain can be a little uncomfortable, but the inspiration it generates can be life-changing. This time of pandemic, is one of those times when exploring the things we might be afraid of trying, could actually help us to keep our minds healthy and our creative expression strong.
ART
Healesville artist and my personal friend Amanda Ruck, is both a wonderful woman and a wonderful artist. Amanda is inspired by weather patterns. Her work captures the depth, scope, colours, texture and composition of our skies to express a sense of mood and emotion. It is for you and me to assess our own thoughts and feelings through the prism of Amanda’s artwork.
FILM
Earlier this year, I sponsored the Women in Film Festival and it was near impossible not to feel inspired. The film Vai, presented on opening night of the festival was a beautiful and empowering film made by nine women of the Pacific Islands. It showcased the power of collaboration, tracking the growth of Vai played by eight different Pacific Islander girls and women across eight vignettes, filmed at eight different Pacific island locations. It was unlike any other film I’ve seen and, yet, the themes it explored are powerful for any woman.
BOOKS
As a foreign correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Geraldine Brooks covered some of the most intense periods of the late 20th century. She was in Bosnia during the Balkan conflict, she reported on the first Gulf War and covered crises in Africa. This girl from Sydney, not only became an internationally award-winning journalist, she then went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for her second novel, March. Geraldine’s work demonstrates how investing in research and a dedication to your craft can pay off with something truly beautiful.
NATURE
The Yarra Valley is my home and it inspires me every day. It obviously inspires my wine directly through the grapes I use, but it also inspires my time to unwind. The forests, pastures, mountains, creeks, vistas and of course, the Yarra River, create a sense of calm and inner peace. My husband and I escape into the mountains regularly to take in the awe and power of nature. This time of retreat allows me to open my channels of creative thinking and prepare myself for a more productive week ahead.
