When I hit a creative rut, I find that the best thing is to get out of my own head. I’ve already shared some books that have helped me boost my creativity and how I use my Pinterest boards to boost my creativity. So today I wanted to share some documentaries that I have found help when I’m feeling stuck and they might help inspire you too. Lately there have been a lot of documentaries celebrating people who have had a long life of being creative and I just love these documentaries. It is so inspiring to see someone who’s whole life is the pursuit of creativity well into their advanced age. I feel that it’s helped me push my own artistic style, just by seeing others be confident in themselves and sharing with the world what they like, even if it isn’t to everyone’s taste. It makes me realize if they can do all that, maybe I can do a little more.
Side Note: Most of these documentaries are on Netflix, but if you don’t have a Netflix account then I have also included a link to rent them. The rental links are affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, a small commission will go to The Weaving Loom at no additional cost to you. So you get inspired and also support the website you’re using right now!
Currently on Netflix…
One of those documentaries is Iris, which is about the fashionable Iris Apfel. This documentary follows her at the age of 93, where she is still working and inspiring others! Isn’t that amazing? It tells about how she got started and how she goes about being creative. It’s not surprise that she just goes after what she likes and doesn’t worry about what others think and I find that to be such an ideal way to make art. This documentary is currently on Netflix or you can rent Iris here
Another documentary about a life long creative is Bill Cunningham New York. This follows the street fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, and it’s so good. He seems like the sweetest person as he rides his bike around New York taking pictures of anyone who catches his eye. This one is also currently on Netflix or you can rent it here.
Also currently on Netflix, but I haven’t seen them yet…
This won’t be a surprise, but I also want to watch the documentary Advanced Style. This follows a few different seniors with unique style and are comfortable in their creativity. If you don’t have Netflix, you can rent it here
The documentary Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present, looks interesting. It’s about a performance artist that has been living her art for over 40 years. It has a good rating so I am looking forward to watching this at my next opportunity. If you don’t have Netflix, you can rent it here.
Not currently on Netflix, but so good…
I really loved the documentary Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel. She is also someone very secure in her creative style and had a very unique eye. It was really fun to hear about her past and how she found inspiration and built her career. This was on Netflix, but sadly they don’t have it available, at least not at the moment (boo).
Ok so this one will be a little out there for some, but I really loved watching the documentary Jodorowsky’s Dune. It’s about a director that really wanted to make the film version of the scifi book Dune. He never did get to make his film, but the documentary shows you all the visual story boards they created to set up their movie and all the talent they got together. Even if you don’t enjoy scifi, I thought this documentary was so good, because of all the creatively passionate people that came together to make something extraordinary (or at least try to). It’s not currently on Netflix, but hopefully it will be soon. You could rent it here if interested.
So those are the documentaries, but I also wanted to mention another creative bit. Have you heard of Blank on Blank on YouTube by PBS? They are short interviews that are animated and they are so interesting. My husband and I watched the David Bowie one recently and he had some really interesting thoughts on being creative. And there are a lot of other interviews with creative people that they have done that are really fun to watch.
Do you like to watch something in the background while you weave? Have you seen any of these documentaries and did you like them? Have any other creative documentaries that you love? I would love to hear about them, I’m always on the look out.
Happy Weaving!
Kate
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joanne chan
February 23, 2016 at 10:22 pmI love chef’s table — it’s a different kind of art to cook food, but each of the chefs were so in their element and created their own path in the food industry! They were all artists!
Kate
February 24, 2016 at 2:42 pmHi Joanne, You’re absolutely right, cooking is an art too. Some things that really talented cooks make are mind blowing. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Barbara
February 24, 2016 at 3:38 pmHi Kate!
Can’t wait to start watching some of these videos, thank you!
In answer to your question, I multi-task around the house all day, so when I finally take the time to get into my creative corner, that’s all I do, whether it is knitting, weaving etc., I concentrate solely on the art itself. I like to watch and feel the process, leaving my mind open to creative epiphanies as I go along, being in the Zone, so to speak.
Going back to a previous but recent blog of yours, I want to thank you so much for your book suggestions. I had read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, many years ago , and when you brought it up, I went to my bookshelf and there it was! Have started to re-read it, and now doing my Morning Pages upon rising, I find to be so rewarding. So thank you very, very much for this idea gift, which I will enjoy all over again 🙂
Kate
February 25, 2016 at 1:38 pmHi Barbara, thank you for sharing! You describe your process so beautifully. Also I love that you’re doing the Morning Pages, I am trying really hard to do mine more consistently because I also feel like they help a lot. Have a great day!
Barbara
February 26, 2016 at 10:29 pmHi Kate
One more note on the Morning Pages. In life, we tend to be hardest on ourselves; therefore, when we miss a morning we feel self-care guilt set in. Ooh, that would make a good Morning Page topic, how can I improve self-care 🙂 I did my MP yesterday at 2:30pm. Point is, it got done. Today, not so much, too crazy a day. So in the morning I know how I will start my pages: Don’t fret I missed a day, just jump back on the pen and start writing. No one’s going to take your loom away if you miss a day. Happy writing, Barbara