Does inspiration just happen?
homegrown-stillife-pref
"Homegrown" Photo reference for a new still life
Hi!
Someone recently asked me,
"Do the ideas for your paintings just pop into your head?"
I used to think that inspiration worked like that all the time.
That is truly heart-warming when it does. But the sudden spark comes
lot more often when we are ready to take advantage of it.
Yesterday, when I was preparing tomatoes for canning, I was already
thinking toward Thanksgiving and how I could paint the concept of
gratitude.
Then I saw how the light was falling on those fresh juicy tomatoes
sitting in a steel bowl, awaiting their turn to be dunked in the
scalding water.
It occurred to me that somewhere among my props was an antique enameled
strainer. I left off canning to go get it and set up a still life for a
potential artwork.
That spark of inspiration came quite suddenly...or did it?
Would it have come if I hadn't already been thinking and planning
toward Thanksgiving?..or if I hadn't seen that strainer at an estate
sale months ago and bought it, knowing I would find a way to use it?
Perhaps, but the flash of inspiration lasted longer and became an
opportunity because the stage was already set.
I got this quirky habit of shifting focus suddenly from my Dad.
He always carried a pocket knife, ever on the lookout for interesting
plant life along the highway.
We'd be on our way somewhere and Dad would suddenly pull off on the
gravel shoulder and jump out of the car. He'd grab his pocket knife and
run off into the deep grass.
There he'd be digging up some intriguing wildflower with its roots. And
there we'd be sitting in the sweltering car with Mama rolling her eyes.
It's a good thing she was madly in love with our Daddy. I learned
patience from my Mama. I learned to act quickly from Dad.
For example....
goldendaybreak-pntg-inprog
"Golden Daybreak" 4"x6" Still wet
I went to Pointe Mouillee last week in the pre-dawn so I could watch
the sunrise.
Some would call that a little strange. I don't care.
I was looking specifically to be inspired by reflections on water and
sun filtering through the trees.
Such things always fill me with wonder.
seewhatamorning-pntg-inprog
"See What A Morning" 3"x2" Wet
It did not disappoint!
I got lots of photo references to keep me busy for quite awhile.
I am deeply fascinated with the colors produced by very strong light.
And I'm experimenting with how to convey that with paint.
The upcoming Artists' Retreat and the Strada challenge will give me
ample opportunity to do just that.
Speaking of which,...
I put off the summer giveaway until the end of the Strada challenge.
That way, I'll have lots to pick from. And I'll be pulling three names
instead of just one.
This is shaping up to be a very inspiring Autumn.
Bring it on, baby! I'm ready for it.
Jan
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