We can all think of well known people who inspire us- Einstien, Picasso, Belly Dance Super Stars- but I want to know about the lesser or unknowns who inspire you. I want to hear about the profound in the "every day". Maybe it is your neighbor or the way the breeze blows through the trees where you find inspiration. It does not directly have to relate to dance or other art forms since appreciating all the beauty of life is nourishing for our whole selves -mind, body, and soul- and finds its way into our art.

I'm inspired by my Mother, who had 5 children and I always saw her as an artist. I'm inspired not only because she's extremely talented- she's one of those people who produce beautiful work from painting to woodworking to ceramics to photography to sewing to knitting, macrame, crochet, etc.- but also because she managed to make time to do these things even with 5 kids. this means she maintained a strong identity separate from mother in her children's eyes, while still attending to them well, which is important in my opinion.

I'm inspired by my husband's persistance and determination when it comes to getting something done or figuring something out. He's also a talented video editor and can paint very, very well (I'm surprised he doesn't want to paint more, but isn't interested...) My son's delightful and charming personality inspires me, especially when it shines through even when he's teething. He inspires me to look at the world with new eyes and new excitement! /there are so many more things I want to do and see now that he'll be there experiencing it with me.

I'm also inspired by a bright blue sky with puffy clouds on a sunny day (and my sister who has been photographing them and is also a very talented artist- you should see her work! she's here on tribe- Hillary Arrington, people.tribe.net/92f762e2-...4b8ea0ec5- ask her to post pics of her work here! And I'll post the pics of the murals she and my Mom did in my son's room- so awesome!) and the butterflies flying, floating around the flowering shrub in my yard. (I don't know the name of it, but my mother would- that's another skill of hers and my sisters', growing beautiful plants and knowing all about them from what they need to what they'll look beautiful with.)

I'm inspired by my other sister, Jala, who has natural talent in belly dance and is able to find books on any subject - her many interesting interests, and her Doggie Mommy abilities. My younger brother is an ace with computers and can take any mechanical thing apart, fix it if it is broken and put it all back without prior knowledge of it- and has since he was a child. My two sisters and younger brother made embriodered quilt blocks for my son's friendship quilt and my Mom put it all together and added some embroidered character blocks. I was blown away!!! It is truely beautiful. My older brother can draw so realistically, it's kind of spooky. He's also an excellent painter and photographer. My Dad is really amazing when it comes to wood carving and he used to do ceramics back in the day.

sometimes I'm even inspired by the way cars move in a near dance when they are driven by curteous drivers...