Blowin’ Over Them Changes

Riffing On Creativity, And Jazz Metaphors

GE McKerrihan
4 min readApr 4, 2023
Peeled blue paint revealing the improvisation below.
“Riffing On The Blues” — Image by Author

I love how all creative pursuits are interrelated. How one medium of expression is related to others, all the others.

We all have our preferred method, and medium of expression. But if we are truthful, we are influenced and inspired by others. Inspired by artists working in a great range of media and styles.

The image above was inspired by a jazz saxophonist, blowing a solo over the changes of a blues tune.

Silver globes in a shop window reflecting the improvisation on the street.
“Free Floating Inspiration” — Image by Author

I know this to be true, and I am certain many would agree. Creative ideas are free floating in the ethers. Just waiting for one of us to pluck one out of the sky and hold it dear for a moment.

To turn it over, and over in our hands. To hear it speak to us. To feel it warm our heart. To imagine it expressed through our own individual style and medium. To feel it expressed through the tools we have chosen to use.

How often can a song inspire a painting? How often can a perfectly drawn line inspire a photograph? How often can a saxophone solo inspire a film?

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GE McKerrihan

I’ve been using the camera for nearly 50 years. I write about Photography, Art, Travel, and Life. Top Writer in Photography, Art, Creativity, and Inspiration.