Creative Talks
I’ve been fortunate enough in this life to be surrounded by creatives. This year more than ever as I pursued my craft I’ve been able to connect with others in different disciplines. Seeing how passionate creatives are about their work motivates me, it reminds me that we’re not always in it for recognition and praise. It’s a form of self expression, leaving our mark no matter how small it may be. The most fulfilling feeling is to create. I feel more connected to myself when I am creating and constantly coming up with new ideas.
Following along on my friend’s creative journeys has allowed me to grow as a creative and has also inspired me to continue pursuing my craft even on days where I wonder if there’s a point to it all. To see how dedicated and passionate creatives are is an indescribable feeling. To be able to experience their work and resonate with it is truly gratifying.
“If there's any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something”
Before Sunrise 1995
To me, there is a little magic in everything we create, whether it be relationships with one another or art in different forms. One of the most important methods of connection I have found is connecting with someones art, understanding why they create and their creative processes. I’ve asked some of my friends to describe what inspires them throughout their creative journeys in no particular order. I hope you can find some inspiration, or discover a new artist. Whatever your reaction is, I hope theres one piece that reminds you how important it is to create and truly be able to connect with each other.
Alexandrea Fiorante - Writer / Poet
We are complex and unique, but our suffering can be so harrowing, and amplified because it’s internalized, that we are seldom pacified by anything or anyone: “I’m too easily misunderstood, too often alone.”
I am inspired by The Hurt: I mean this in a large, sweeping way, and as found in tiny hairline fractures from our heart strings being tugged just wrong — or right — way. Writing, reading and sharing is necessary for survival: to relate to, to process, to teach. How can I harness this feeling that is pulling me apart, get it out of me as if some rabid living thing and onto paper — a different cage of sorts. One where it no longer hurts but heals, where it can be passed from hand to hand, and hand to heart, where we can bridge the gaping distances between each other.
because all we have is ourselves
because all we have is each other
And why create if not for them?
Kyn Toronto - Design & Fashion
Our inspiration strikes like lightning, a singular idea or concept is delivered by the gods of creativity into our minds. It first begins as an infantile thought with no legs. As it squirms about on the beaches of existence, we slowly shape it with revisionary strikes from our hammer of improvement. With each strike, more and more refined till a finished product is completed.
What really inspires us is culture. Our goal has always been to infuse our lifestyles into designs. So when we were at our most comfortable, enjoying the evening, that feeling is what inspires us.
Elisa Gentile - Fashion Designer
My inspiration comes from my consumption. I think the world around me and the world I try to create for myself is translated through my work. The art I look at, the surroundings I’m in and the people I’m with are all a reflection of who I am and what my work is. My process is centred in emotion and thought, provoking feeling and telling stories. I’m constantly inspired by new ideas, new ways of thinking and innovation. This challenges me to push myself to create designs with a story that others can relate to, while creating a world that others feel safe in. While doing that, I try to push my creative boundaries with influence from art in all forms. I am careful with what I consume, allowing my work to be as authentic and positive as possible.
Sabrina Capista - Artist
The process of making something new inspires me to create. Using my hands to channel my feelings and ideas brings pleasure and purpose. It is difficult to find inspiration when you are over-stimulated and worked, so I find inspiration in the spaces between where there is rest and softness. Also, seeing people follow their dreams and make authentic art in innovative ways inspires me to do the same.
SIM - Singer / Songwriter
Inspiration to create comes to me when one door closes and another opens. I think all my music has been inspired by constant progression. Whether it be a negative experience, & I learn from it or a positive one and I take a step up the ladder - I know I’m constantly progressing. I feel like my journey began and it was just me, but as I continued to make music the number of people on my little train keeps growing and it motivates me to continue doing what I love.
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/sim/683627870
Marco Virzi - Writer & Filmmaker
I think a lot of people underestimate the effect a movie can have on them. It could honestly take a good, bad or just in general a shit day and make it incredible. Those are the experiences that made me pick up a pen and paper and start writing. Now the point I’m trying to make by saying all that is, and this is going to sound super cliché but it’s the truth, if I can replicate that feeling with my work by a fraction to one person out of 100 that’s what inspires me, that’s what gets me to write. Fuck the fame Fuck the fortune none of that matters if I can bring people together and bring a tiny bit of happiness into their life that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing because that’s what will make me happy, that’s inspiration.
Rajan - Singer & Songwriter
What inspires me to create? Hmm that’s a tough question. I say this because it’s not just one thing, it could be as small as me seeing someone or something - or it could be as big as a heartbreak / traumatic experience.
I try to be honest and transparent in my art, because I know someone out there will resonate and feel the same way as I do - and if I can be a positive influence on their lives through my art, that makes me feel wholesome.
I’m constantly searching for what can help me grow, and sharpen my craft - I’m inspired by the need to accomplish what I set out to do.
It’s funny cause it doesn’t stop there, once I accomplish certain goals I set out to do, I find myself being inspired by trying to out-do myself.
Art is ever changing and ever lasting at the same time, and I’m inspired by finding my place in history through my art.
Rupinder Grewal - Artist
I create as an outlet for expressing how I interpret the world around me. Everyone sees things differently whether it’s an idea or physical object, and I think the best part about creating is how others interpret my work. This is one thing that constantly keeps me inspired to create, and that’s being able to see my work through different minds.
Intermission Labs - Fashion & Design
Our creative process is inspired by escapism. Primary themes circulating projects include mental health exploration as well as the documentation of social interactions/behaviour through a surrealist lens. The design goal is to create immersive, escapist narratives using darker, uncanny imagery. INTERMISSION pushes an idea of a “pause from reality,” or a space outside of time.
Danyal - Director/Photographer
Community for me a a big inspiration to create, growing up in Brampton I didn’t have a lot of inspirations artistically to look up to and being a skater who liked all types different musics and art forms made it hard for kids to accept me for who I am. I realized that I don’t want to fit in and that id rather stand out. I started to do my own thing, for me that was music and photography. Through these art forms I was able to express myself and grow as a person and an artist. During the early stages of my growth I was able to meet other artist who helped me to grow and further develop myself, teaching me different skills and exposing me to the right people and environments. If it wasn’t for my community and friends I wouldn’t have grown and gotten the opportunities that I have been blessed with so making those people proud is something that inspires me to create!
Alessia Latina - Fashion & Design
I find designing and constructing things an exciting way to express myself and what I believe. Being able to put my ideas on paper and having my designs come to life gives me a sense of freedom and purpose. I am constantly looking for inspiration and opportunities to challenge myself to view things in a way they would not normally be seen. For example, more recently my work has been focused on making inclusivity the “norm” to change the existing mindsets and boundaries that have been around for years. Ultimately, my goal is to have my work influence someone the way others have influenced me.
JOE BLK - Singer/Songwriter
I’m inspired to create by the things that whisper in my subconscious and drive me day to day, by the actions I’ve taken, and my inaction. It’s about sharing my perspective, and experience, and hoping people are able to relate and take away a unique understanding from it. I’m no different from anyone else, son of two hardworking immigrants, pushed to pursue an education and fulfill my parents dream. Yet to create is my salvation, it releases me from my innermost thoughts, from the truths I have yet to address, and from the lessons I’ve learned. To create is to take my life, and tell you what it really means to me, and to hope that perhaps it means something to you.
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/joe-blk/1480120924
Jamar Redhead - DOP/Director
There’s literally so many things that inspire me. I really have a hard time pointing to one specific thing. I think overall, what inspires me the most is the growth you see in yourself with every project you work on. Whether the outcome is good or bad, you can almost always guarantee that you learn something from every project you work on. And if you can take whatever it is you learned from that project and instil it into the next one, you’ll always see a little bit of progression. To sum it all up, the constant pursuit of growth is what inspires me the most.