Words. Sometimes one good word can set you off into a new line of creativity, or simply open up a whole new field of thought. For this reason I have a word book: a book of words that I find cool and creative, words I want to know.
Here are some words with their meanings and an invented sentence:
1.
lapidary: having the elegance and precision associated with inscriptions on monumental stone.
His prose, although seemingly off the cuff, had a lapidary quality that proved unforgettable.
I love this word because only those words that have special meaning to a person or culture would ever get recorded on stone. It signifies longevity, a phrase or line of poetry that we want to remember over many lifetimes and generations.
2. habitue: a regular visitor of a place. While I travel I am an incessant cafe habitue.
This word is simple, however it captures a certain lifestyle for me. It makes me want to park myself in the nearest cafe with a cup of tea and a nice book.
3. sotto voce: under the breath – in a private manner ( in music: softly). In a manner of sotto voce he revealed his darkest secret.
Borrowed from the Italian it literally means “under the voice”. I think of old times, under the dark eaves of a mountain-top castle, planning intrigue.
As an artist, a good word can set you off in a new direction. One good word can lift the fog of thought and open up a large field of ideas and inspiration. If a word isn’t fun or interesting I don’t get caught up in it too much, but if the word has a special meaning or feel I make a point to write it down and give it some time.
Do you have any creative words?
Here’s the cover of my latest catalog. The design is complete and it will be used as a companion piece for my upcoming show at The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury. For more information on that show see elsewhere on this website.
