An Artist’s Inspiration
“Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a theif. They all kill their inspiration and then sing about their grief.” U2 - The Fly
(The above quote has little to do with this article other than it’s by one of my inspirations, and it’s about art and inspiration :-D)
Every artist has their inspirations. Almost all (their are extremely few truly brilliant, original creatives out there. In fact, I’d argue that there is only one) emulate other people they esteem to be extremely good at what they do.
So here’s a question for those who consider themselves to have an art (of any shape or form) out there. Who are your inspirations? Who do you look to as a mentor-from-afar. Who do you hope to emulate in your art? Who inspires you, challenges you, and by virtue of their excellence, keeps you humble?
Of course the correct answer is Jesus, but other than that, who do you look to for instruction and inspiration? Here are a few of mine.
Web Design:
Fronting a band / Leading Worship:
- Bono
- David Crowder
- Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
- Rich Mullins
- James Hetfield (Metallica)
- Derek Webb
Preaching:
- Mark Driscoll
- Steve Jobs
- Henry Rollins
- John Piper
- Mark Darling
- Noel Heikkinen
- Louie Giglio
- Rob Bell (* I’m not entirely comfortable with his theology, but his communication ability is phenomenal.)
Right now, I more often than not feel envious of artists whom I admire. These are mainly writers — novelists, short story writers, lyricists, poets. I am envious because I’m at a point in my life where I.m not able to nurture the talent God has given me and so I can only at the work of these people and think, “I wish I could have written something like that,” especially when they reflect thoughts and ideas I’ve already had but wasn’t nimble enough to articulate. It’s sort of like I had the idea and now it’s gone. These people I admire include, like you, Bono. I think he’s a tremendous poet. David, in the Bible, is the greatest poet of all time, I think, at least as far as plumbing the depths of the human heart. And it may be cliche to say so, but I greatly admire Shakespeare, who is like David in my book when it comes to understanding human beings.
Over the years, there have been a few writers who I return to because I admire their prose so much. Engulfing myself in their writing helps me find my voice. These writers include E.B. White (mostly for his essays, not so much his children’s books), Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, James Joyce and Wendell Berry. The only journalist who ever had such an effect on me was Jim Murray, the LA Times sports columnist.
i would love to be able to paint like jackson pollock or richard diebenkorn.
Poets I admire include Chuck Berry and Smokey Robinson.
I am truly flattered to be on this list. Thanks.
My sister writes some amazing poetry.
/me hugs Noel
[...] last post on inspiration needs some follow-up, I think. My intention was to speak to inspiration with regards to skill-sets [...]
I’ll arrange my response like your post, although mine are a bit different.
Music in general:
Sigur Ros
Steve Camp (theology too!)
August Burns Red
Killswitch Engage
Feist (more recently)
Epic movies
Fronting a band/Leading Worship:
Beck
John Cooper (Skillet)
Steele Crosswhite
Tre Shepperd (onehundredhours)
Paul Meany (Mute Math)
Killer guitar tone:
Anberlin (mostly the Never Take Friendship Personal album)
Chris Liepe
Killswitch Engage (As Daylight Dies album)
Photography/Visual Art:
Dawson Swan (my brother, amazing photographer)
Todd Slater’s Rock posters
Caravaggio
Luc Freymanc
Photographers:
cartier bresson
elliot erwitt
dave hill
joey lawrence
Musicians:
ben gibbard
travis barker
arcade fire
justin pierre
ben folds
Other:
Chuck Klosterman (writer)
C.S. Lewis
Mitch Hedberg (comedian, don’t judge)
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