So, you think you're not inspired. You think that you are just too busy or too tired or too interested in watching TV or being entertained in some other passive fashion. After all, you have all those responsibilities, a family, a job (maybe), and some pets. Well, don't despair. You don't have to go trading in your creativity and inspiration for the latest market craze. No Sir, because we here at DLa have the secret to Artistic Inspiration and Ultimate Creative Liberation! You see, although most people think that inspiration comes from within, it is also the case that inspiration can be summoned from external cues. By surrounding yourself with the proper items, and personalizing your creative space, you can actually induce that golden feeling and desire to create. So take a frish grip on your bulletproof mask and ignite the artistic passion within by embracing the process of preparing for art. But be mindful, becoming inspired is a process that involves careful consideration at every turn.

 To begin with, it is important to have the basics; namely, a sturdy surface on which to work and a comfortable place to set your duff. Let's stop here for a moment and consider the seat. The artist's seat is not unlike a king's (or queen's) throne. After all, as you delve into your creation, you become the supreme ruler over your unfolding kingdom. So set that seat of yours up tuff!! Pick out a couple of favorite articles of clothing to drape over the back of your chair, or throw a comfortable blanket over the whole thing and tuck it in just so -- real neat and clean around the corners so you don't look like an amateur. If you are exploring floor options, a meditation pillow resting on a nice Indian tapestry is a must. The number one rule here is comfort -- after all, the goal is to spend as much time as possible enjoying your art. Next stop is the work surface. The key here is plenty of room. You want to be able to really spread out with your work, and still have room for the essentials.

 Essentials? We'll get to those in a moment. For now, let's focus on lighting, crucial for creating that perfect, personal (or even group) ambience. Use common sense here, with an eye for those cold chills. Details such as shadowed room corners, alleviated glare, and softer light will serve to enhance and unify your realm of creativity. Also, consider the particular color of the light as it fills the room. If you are so hardcore that you prefer a hard, blinding white light, then crank up those overhead halogens without mercy. For sheer artistic escapism, a gentle, warm-yellow point-glow from a single, strategically placed lamp changes everything. For enhanced peripheral lighting effects, try placing additional lamps with colored bulbs in remote corners of the room. This will serve to embellish your primary light source with a subtle envelope of red, green, or blue hues. And, for sure, be certain that "the lamp is on." With proper lighting, a decent surface, and a well-decorated throne, we are ready to talk about the essentials, and how to set them up for optimum success and inspiration.

 Begin by gathering all the tools you will need. Have plenty of crisp paper, flowing pens, and fresh paint within reach. Arrange your paper in terms of size, shape, and quality. Fill your art boxes with an elite array of Pilots, Pigmas, and Sharpes -- but don't go overboard here. The key is to be minimalist. An unspoken rule among artists is that a few, well-used and personalized pens or brushes rules over any multitude of shiny-new and unused tools. Have an eraser, scissors, rulers, and plenty of hot biscuits on hand. Arrange your arsenal of tools around you in both functional and aesthetic fashion.

 Then, if you will be illustrating or doing some lite watercolor, employ an appropriate-sized sheet of paper to cover any emerging artwork that you wish to protect. This piece of paper should be a favorite piece, significant in that it is always the piece you use to protect your work, or important because an old friend passed it on to you years ago. In time, this piece of paper will become worn with ink stains, small wrinkles, and rough edges, and will take on a comforting familiarity and personality that will itself serve to inspire.

 Also, place a fresh sheet next to your work, to be used for jotting down interesting or amusing thoughts that float through your head as you delve. On this piece place two or three of your most cherished (i.e., the ones you will be using) pens, pencils, or brushes, thereby establishing a small island of shelter and resource right there at your side. For the most serious artists, a white cloth glove with index, middle, and ring fingers removed should be worn to further safeguard against unexpected mishaps.

 To your left should be any other tools you need, such as other images (turds), inspiring works (chunks), and collage materials (biscuits). Beyond the army of pens and brushes in front of you should await a source of technology capable of performing any tasks that you may require. In the past, stereos were the instruments of choice, with speakers placed in exact balance around the artist for complete musical delving. These days, personal computers are capable of playing music, although without a proper set of computer speakers, you will find yourself feeling a bit unsatisfied musically. In these cases, a phat pair of headphones should do the trick.

 On the other hand, computers open wide the gates of digitally creative universes. Having photochop or chillustrator at your disposal only strengthens your artistic frontline. The optimal situation, of course, would be to have both a kick-ass stereo and a personal computer -- both set up so tuff within forward reach of your art{space} (see the importance of having plenty of room?). Then, you could devote some space for the choicest of CD's and software. Desk or wall shelves work very well for these items while reducing clutter, increasing organization, and providing space for other essentials such as art books, chunk albums, and portfolios. It should be noted that music volume may be manipulated along with choice of music to create virtually any creative atmosphere desired. This important dynamic is in itself worthy of considerable attention and discussion and will be the topic of a future art{space} article in an upcoming issue of DLa. Also, keep in mind that the light coming from an inactive computer can change everything -- choose your screensavers wisely!

 Although the computer is essential, we shall not continue its discussion here; rather, we will save the topic for yet another time. Moving on, we see the art{space} setup beginning to emerge, and inspire. Next we consider some important details involved in the process. Of the utmost importance is the elimination of the possibility of any interruptions and distractions before diving into sweet artistic abandon. This is where you, as a responsible member of society, cut loose from the outside world so that you may fully immerse yourself in your awaiting, artistic kingdom. Turn off the phone ringer. Feed the kids and put in a movie for them (something long) -- with regular television, it is too easy to lose interest and break free during commercials. So fill 'em up n' plug 'em in tuff. Take care of any errands that need be done. Walk the dog (or simply get rid of it), feed the cat (or simply cook it up and eat it), and take a big shit yourself, just in case.