Origin of Inspiration: Seven Short Essays for Creative People

by Sam Adoquei

How do you find enduring inspiration to assist your dreams and goals? Instead of believing inspiration comes to the chosen few creative people, Origin of Inspiration taps into three decades of experience to prove that any creative mind can find enduring inspiration to guide his dreams until he achieves his goals. The book points out how creative minds attuned to a certain purpose and focused on certain goals never run out of inspiration. How can anyone find the source of inspiration? And why do only a few creative people have enduring inspiration that leads to accomplishing their dreams? The answers to these questions provide the foundation of Origin of Inspiration. The book is for artists, musicians, filmmakers, actors, entrepreneurs, and creative people— anyone who would like to find enduring inspiration and continuous enthusiasm to support his or her creative journey.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Essays

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2011

About the author

Samuel Adoquei was born in Ghana, West Africa, where he completed his fine arts studies at the Ghanatta College of Fine Arts. After graduation, Mr Adoquei traveled extensively around Africa and Europe before moving to the United States.

Mr. Adoquei’s African background makes his experience a new odyssey and a novelty in western art. He is the first African artist to serve on the faculty of all the major academic art institutions of New York City: the National Academy School of Fine Art, the New York Academy of Figurative Arts, the Art Students League of New York and the Educational Alliance. He has also taught at the Lyme Academy of Art in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Mr. Adoquei was recently invited to serve on the faculty of the Portrait Society of America.

The winner of several international awards for his artwork, including the Gold Medal in Oil Painting and Best Traditional Oil Painting awards at the Knickerbocker Artists Annual Exhibition held in New York City, Mr. Adoquei has also written extensively on portraiture and landscape painting for American art magazines.

For some years, Mr. Adoquei’s monumental triptych, “The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,” toured the country as part of an exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C. The exhibition visited a number of major museums.

Several articles by and about Mr. Adoquei have appeared in national newspapers and magazines in the United States as well as in publications abroad and his paintings have appeared on the covers of books and magazines. Most recently, the New York Times wrote an article about Mr. Adoqouei’s painting, “The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.” His painting, “Portrait of Rodney,” was featured on the cover of Literature and Integrated Studies magazine and in an article written by Scott Foresman of Chicago.

Mr. Adoquei has painted portraits and studies of people of all ages and from all walks of life—from business and military professionals, to astronauts, rock stars and beauty queens. His artwork is in the collections of several art museums and is included in both private and public collections here and abroad.

Reviews

[Brittany]

Probably the most important advice from this book: "The artist who creates difference just for the sake of being different will survive for some time in an environment where the uncultured and uneducated cannot differentiate hype and transience from timeless. Change for the sake of change is the greatest license for the incompetent....Timeless art, timeless beauty and noble ideas that provide enduring inspirations come from nature, life, tradition, innovation and invention."

[Tristan Alaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my top 10 books. Adoquei is an art guru - Humble and enlightened advice guiding us to discover the noble artist within ourselves; why we follow our paths, how we better serve others with timeless qualities and fuel our inspiration, grow our dreams and fulfil our best purpose. Thank you Samuel, you are a master teacher.

[Ilianna Kalkatzikou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had some thoughtful reflections on creativity, but it didn’t quite hold my attention. The essays felt more like lectures than sparks of creativity and I kept waiting for that “aha” moment that never really came. There are a few worthwhile insights, but overall it was a slower read than I expected for a book about inspiration. ⭐️⭐️½

[Justin Bumgarner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Julian Casablancas's step dad, automatic 5 stars. But the book was great regardless

[Varadia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean, I guess. If you must.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ick.
Poor writing style, not at all engaging; in fact, quite offputting - all male references.
Nothing new for ideas, approaches.
Don't waste your time or money.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like the book/