April Inspiration

Time for another artist's date.  My husband and I went to Starved Rock State Park last week and stayed in a log cabin for three nights.  Most people think of Illinois as completely flat.  This area is one of rolling hills and canyons and waterfalls.  It was carved out by the glaciers 116 thousand years ago and people come from all over to witness the incredible beauty.

 We walked for miles on the trails throughout the park.  The above photo is Council Bluff.  Of course the photo doesn't do it justice because in reality it resembles a cathedral in the woods.  Legend has it that here is where the Native Americans would come together for community and ceremony.

 I didn't notice the rainbow at the time I took this picture.  Indeed these woods are magical.

Here is one of 18 canyons in the park.  My husband and I have come here in the winter when the waterfalls are actually ice falls.  It's hard to say which time of year is more beautiful.

Trips like this inspire my soul.  There is nothing like being out in nature.

Update:  Sam asked why this place is called Starved Rock.  According to Native American tradition, some Peoria Indians who came under attack by a war party of Potowanami Indians suffered starvation when trapped on a rock without food or water.  You can check out the history of the park here.

Another Artist's Date

Every once in a while I'm pulled out of my everyday routine to go on a day of inspiration. Usually I'm not the one who plans these outings. My daughter does. Last Friday was one of those days. Jessica has an internship at the School of the Art Institute. She's almost done with her Master of Library Science degree and has a curatorial project on display. So, of course I needed to see it! While walking around the streets of Chicago, we came across the newly restored iron grillwork of Louis Sullivan. Seeing this masterpiece up close made my jaw drop.

Even though I don't like the traffic in Chicago, it's worth the trip because there are cultural surprises at every turn. And I come away from these artist's dates with a feeling that my inspiration well has been filled. Of course we needed to have a very sophisticated lunch at Atwoods. My daughter picked the place. After all, moms always pay the bill!

Unexpected Artist's Date on Navy Pier

Yesterday I was planning to paint.  I had cleared my calendar and gotten chores out of the way for a blissful day of working in the studio.  But you know what they say about the best laid plans.  My daughter is running in the Chicago Half Marathon this Sunday.  One of the requirements is to pick up your shirt and running number at Navy Pier on the Friday before the Marathon.  She didn't feel like going by herself, so she talked me into going with her.

It was a beautiful fall day.  We had lunch on Navy Pier, picked up her things, and then I spied the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows near the end of the pier!  What an unexpected beautiful experience.  These images are some of windows produced by Tiffany.

If you ever get to Chicago, try to visit this exquisite jewel of a museum.  And the best part is that it's free!

Photography by Jessica M. Goodwin

Being a Tourist in My Own City

View of Millenium Park from

the Modern Wing - Art Institute of Chicago

I read somewhere that artists should make an artist's date at least every two weeks.  The purpose of the artist's date is to get out of the studio and fuel the soul with new inspiration.  Now I can see why.  From now on, I'm going to mark my artist date on the calendar and make sure I keep it.  Yesterday I met my brother in downtown Chicago where he works .  He took a half day so that we could just have fun viewing the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute.  

I didn't take any shots inside the Art Institute because I was so drawn in by the amazing art, that I was quite overwhelmed.  It's been way too long.  Next time.

Before we knew it the whole day flew by.  Here are pictures of Millenium Park (where I have never been).  I only live 25 miles from Chicago, but rarely go to the tourist attractions.  It was so much FUN.  

We quickly walked into the Chicago Cultural Center and climbed up the stairs.  Here's the amazing stained glass that was just overhead.  

And of course, I stopped by the Hildt Gallery on State Street to see Deborah Paris's work for the first time, where it was not over a computer monitor.  It's so much more beautiful when you see the actual paintings.  They were overwhelmingly beautiful.  The gallery owner graciously took this amazing painting closer to the natural light for me to take a picture.
An artist's date fuels the fun, inspiration and imagination.  Now back to the studio.