I have a selection of mini-sketchbooks that are helpful tools with my art and with my DIY/decorating journeys as well. I’ve found the sketchpads to be very beneficial as I am prone to forgetting ideas or thoughts. There are random (or perhaps not so random) times that concepts come to me: during meditation, while lying in bed, in my dreams, whilst working, etc., so I jot the ideas down as soon as they arise. I also take notes while in the middle of a project and for brainstorming. sometimes the ideas don’t manifest into anything and sometimes I reference these ideas when considering a new project.

These sketchpads are like little journals where pieces of my soul are detailed, so I’m usually hesitant to share the contents with others. Last night, an unusual idea came to my mind while sketching for another project. I love these moments when the ideas come to me, because they seem to appear out of nowhere. I don’t believe this to be true, and actually consider these creative figments to be spiritual gifts, like intuition.

However, this idea that popped up in my mind initially scared me. It sort of involved a concept I’ve pondered before, although not in this form. I won’t get into specifics (=intellectual property), but it involved a piece that would indicate both violence and transcendence. I can appreciate violence expressed in art, especially since I’m a movie-fanatic. However, my life philosophy is to oppose violence and appreciate beauty and so this idea first (and still does, honestly) disturbed me.

I still plan on doing something with this idea, because I actually like the fact it makes me uncomfortable. I believe art has achieved something when it evokes an emotion within the spectator—regardless of if that emotion is one we consider negative. And I’ve been yearning to create something that really stands out and commands attention.

For other fellow artists/creators out there, have you ever had an idea for a project that seemed to go against your ethics or style? Have you created anything that defied this or was disturbing in some way?