Blog
12/30/2024 6:32:16 PM
How do I find inspiration for my paintings? This question alone could be a book. I'll try to just touch on a few things...
When I started out, looking for inspiration was something I realized could be a trap. Painting is difficult, but looking for ideas is relatively easy. Hello, scrolling through social media!
Also, my paintings weren't going to be all that great for awhile. Hence! lol - I just painted things that I thought would be fun to paint.
Things I have painted
I painted from a photo I took of my husband's hand; I painted paintings from other photographs (always with permission or using my own photos). Eventually, I also painted from life -- usually a still life of a coffee cup or something in my studio.
Flowers, birds, people, small figurines like my mini pig salt and pepper shakers (cute!!).
Finding inspiration for fine art
...is just saying, 'I need ideas for my art.' Right? There are just SO many places to find inspiration! How to narrow it down?
The short answer is I follow my gut. Sometimes my heart will start pounding when I see art -- I'll put it in my inspiration folder. Later, I'll look at it and try to figure out WHY do I love it? Is it the color; the mood; something else? Then I might try to think of how I might recreate that mood or use those colors in my own work. Obviously, I don't copy others, but can I take that amazing feeling I'm getting and make it happen again? :D
Sometimes I'll get an idea -- and I'm always writing things down or making little notes -- and some ideas just don't go away. That's when I know I have to paint it. I've currently got a few ideas in my head that are so OUT THERE that I'm not sure they'll even work... it's time to experiment!
And then it sucks...
My ideas don't always work. Sometimes it's because what feels great to look at doesn't always make a great painting. Sometimes it's because my skills aren't quite to a point to do whatever it is that painting needs. It happens. That's the learning part (and, frankly, an interesting part once I get past the frustration).
Current fine art inspiration
In the past year, I realized that I wanted to branch out more. I started taking a lot more photos. That's when my current series about our local town and its farmers market came into being. There was so much color!
Beauty is all around me. I'll photograph anything - even when I and my husband are driving down the road. Random things like store signs and street lights, people walking, clouds. You name it, I've probably photographed it.
I've learned to pay attention to my heart. That's Jesus' work 100%. He's healed me enough so that I CAN pay attention to it. When my heart tells me that something is beautiful or that it would be fun and interesting to paint, that's all it takes. This is vital to being an artist - paying attention to what is exciting for you. It's not bad for other humans, too. lol
I'm sure that perhaps you've had ideas for great paintings. You can always ask for a commission -- that's when you request a specific thing to be painted for you. If you love my style, let's chat! - find my Contact page and let me know your thoughts. :)
12/7/2024 4:54:47 PM
Neighbors is an oil painting with a punch of color -- red Fiesta coffee cup, spoon, and red cherry tomatoes. Sometimes I just *need* color.
In the same way, sometimes you need to follow your gut.
I was visiting a local art gallery and stopped to say hello to another artist friend. Then, I realized that she was in the middle of a conversation with a potential art buyer (and not a friend as I had assumed). This person was struggling with whether to buy a painting of hers and asked me my opinion. They were concerned because their home space (they supposed) might not work with the painting's style.
I said the first thing that came to mind....
'If you buy something you love that ends up not going with your space, at worst, you'll be surrounded by things you love.'
Still good advice.
10/26/2024 6:11:29 PM
Driving in the countryside is my new obsession. That and the Saturday morning farmers markets in Eau Claire, WI.
What is beautiful to you? I love seeing the morning light. In my head for the last few weeks, I keep hearing the Beatles sing 'Here comes the sun!'. Then Army Strong (my husband and artistic support person) and I pack up everything and head out. Camera and coffee, we have been seeing all the sights -- or the sites (whichever way works).
I do wish that the fall colors could be persuaded to stick around, but (as always), they're gone too soon. The last summer farmers market was today. We found our favorite food vendors and took more pictures.
A long time ago, I asked God to show me the beauty in my life. See, I had been in a low spot for a very long time. Nothing was joyous. Everything felt grey. Then, He answered my prayer by showing me how I was surrounded by beauty -- and I'm still seeing it every day.
I know my paintings have been coming a bit slower. :) I'm working on a big commission right now. I'm looking forward to perhaps seeing you at the holiday show in November or perhaps my January show.
2/29/2024 6:21:05 PM
I've taken 70,000 photos of Santa Fe landscapes and mountains. (ok, not literally) BUT if you were there, you may have done the same thing, right? The whole time I'm thinking, 'But I'm not a landscape artist -- maybe I should try'. lol
I just got back from visiting Santa Fe -- ever since my friend David Knowlton told me years ago of how there are a TON of artists and galleries there, I KNEW I had to go.
I came. I saw -- that Santa Fe is PACKED with art and inspiration (and hot sauce, y'all!).
AND, David now lives in Santa Fe, so we did some catching up, too. Exclusive tour of the gallery there that carries his art! Woot! So fun. :D Also got to meet his ultra cute pup. No, I didn't get a pic of the pup, but I should have.
I LOVED going to MeowWolf. It's an experience. Very fun to see what a group of artists create together.
Best artist things that happened -- I just soaked up all the galleries and art and landscapes. I got to connect with several artists and gallery owners. Walked down Canyon Rd with it's galleries and ended that day drinking chocolate. Magical moments.
Things I learned -- it's 'high desert' and that means you'll want buckets of lotion and water. Also, the high elevation means that you'll be a bit out of breath walking around sometimes. I thought I was out of shape, but no -- it wasn't me.
We went in February of 2024 -- and surprisingly the weather was approx the same as Eau Claire, WI. Weird, right? 40's or so when we landed. I suppose the high elevations means that it's also cooler. The bonus side of that is nothing was too crowded. Perfect for those of us who love the peacefulness of finding a lovely 'off season'.
and it was ... lovely. :)
