What is Fodder?!

What is fodder?!

It is the stuff, the raw materials, the whatever you find that catches a spark, that makes you think.

Fodder:

1. 1 :  something fed to domestic animals; especially :  coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep
2. 2 :  inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand

So if you thought fodder was food (as I have been told) you are indeed correct.  But it is also used as this kind of fun word for stuff. And I suppose reusable and recyclable materials could easily be considered inferior and certainly readily available.

So why do I use the word fodder?  Because it's playful, because it reminds me that one of the things I love most about the stuff I collect is that it gets me thinking (and playing).  Because art materials can feel precious, but fodder is for the activity, the exploration, the discovery. Fodder is part of the process, not materials that need to be made into something great.  

Sometimes fodder is great on its own, sometimes it's ability to teach is greater that our ability to turn it into something else.  The new idea is greater than the new thing.

Fodder does not take itself too seriously, because without you it may just be garbage. And after all you can not take yourself too seriously when creating with ‘garbage.’

This is the beautiful place, the place with no pressure, the place that is all about process and discovery.

Without exploration how can we find the new great land of ideas or places or created things?  You must go on the journey.   The journey that will once in awhile rest or rejoice in the land of beautiful artwork, perfectly stitched garments, flawless words, design that transcends, and when you arrive there rest and rejoice, but continue on the journey.  And do not take the journey in anticipation of these blissful moments, but in each moment that will bring you to and from them.  

So this is fodder to me, the things that accompany me on the journey, the things that make me think, the things not so precious that encourage me to be not so afraid to try, things I can delight in and stumble with and occasionally throw away.  So jump in!  Into the garbage can of inspiration, of motivation, of new ideas and non-judgment and experimentation; the messy thought provoking stuff that we almost threw away that someone else did throw away.  Venture into the thrift store, your closet, the pile of whatever you have ignored for years and PLAY.  Nevermind creativity, art, making, finishing, achieving. 

Just go on the journey.