Free at Last

As many of you know, my home has been in an uproar since last December when we had a flood in our basement.  My computer used to be down there.  Since the flood, the whole house was affected.  My paintings went upstairs into the den (above).  And I couldn't even set foot in that room with tripping over them.  The basement is slowly getting restored and the paintings are happily back in their racks in a new room in the basement.

As a result of this, my computer is finally upstairs near natural light (yay!).  I bought a new Mac router so that the computer can go anywhere in the house.

Believe it or not, for a while my computer was in the bathroom which is currently under construction.  It was in there since last January.  Yes, right next to the loo.  Not exactly inspiration for writing blog posts.

Cure for Cabin Fever

Van Gogh

We are still in the midst of having our basement reconstructed after the flood from December.  Everything had to be covered or brought upstairs since they are still working on the drywall.  And the dust just seems to float upstairs through the heating vents.  Needless to say, this has had an impact on my painting.

So a little inspiration was in order.  Going to the Art Institute of Chicago always fills my creative well.  These photos were taken on my brother's iPhone.  I can't believe the great quality.

Claude Monet

Mary Cassatt

Henry Twatchman

My paintings patiently waiting to be put back in my studio  

My computer desk 

I hope your February has been a beautiful one, filled with inspiration.

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.

Winter Inspiration

 Watercolor painting by Joel Optholt

Finding inspiration in the depth of winter can sometimes be a challenge.  Here in the Chicagoland Midwest, it sometimes feels like we're hibernating in between going about our daily lives of working.   There are the challenges of bundling up every time we step outdoors and moving slower everywhere we go because of the snow.  I think of this time of year as "filling the well".  Here are a few of the things that inspire me.  The above painting was done by my talented brother.  His watercolors are done in a style uniquely his.  I often think of "stealing" some more of his watercolors when I go to his house.

 Evening Pines by Deborah Paris

I feel so lucky to own this original oil painting by Deborah Paris.  I've taken online classes from her and continue to learn from this very talented artist.  Her work has certainly inspired by own painting and      is a constant source of inspiration. This painting hangs in my dining room and I sometimes take it off the wall to examine this painting up close.   

 Landscape Study #28l by Tracy Helgeson

This small landscape study by Tracy Helgeson inspires me on a daily basis.  Tracy is not afraid to use vivid color in her landscapes.  She is a prolific artist and is completely original with her designs.  Here you can see the layers she uses in her painting.  I'm in awe. 

 This is a good time to dust off some old titles in the library.  Reading certainly inspires the soul.

My latest addition to the library is A History of American Tonalism:  1880-1920.  My goal is to read it from cover to cover.  It explains the mentality and philosophy of the American artists in historical terms.  But that's a subject for another post.

Where are all of you gather inspiration from at this time of year?

Bringing the Outside In

I haven't posted much lately.  My method of oil painting requires drying times between layers.  This year I plan on painting several paintings at once.  I'll post on the progress of my paintings.

I've also decided to expand the topics on my blog to what inspires me to paint.  What is it that inspires an artist to pick up the paint brush and create on canvas what is experienced on the inside?  I've found that bringing nature inside nurtures the soul.  A few years back all of my windows were covered with shades and curtains.  I cringe when I think of it now.  My brother encouraged me to appreciate the beautiful Craftman style windows in our home and remove what was covering them up.

Now the outside scenery is part of the house.  How many times do I stop and stare outside now when something catches my eyes, such as a beautiful sunset or the fall colors.  Even Leo, our cat, enjoys the view.

Inspiration

Evening's Call

Oil on Linen

18x24

Where does the inspiration that goes into a painting come from?  Sometimes the artist doesn't even know.  I think we all have subconscious memories of landscapes witnessed from years back.  There may have been a moment in time that was so vivid that it was stored as a precious sensory experience.  

I know we all do this with scents and foods we've tasted from our childhood and beyond.  Just a whiff of vanilla brings me back to when my mother was baking in the kitchen when I was a child.  Biting into a juicy hamburger reminds me of when my dad would make them on the charcoal grill.  I imagine the same is true with inspiring skies we've seen over the course of our lifetime.  

Skies are always so fleeting.  If a photo isn't taken right then and there, the moment is gone for good.  Sometimes I don't know where the inspiration comes from.  But I think that a lot of inspiration comes from some moment that was so poignant that it was locked away.  Until imagination sets it free.

Looking for Inspiration

This fiery sky photo was taken last year when my husband and I attended an outdoor wedding in Galena, Illinois. The sky was truly inspiring that evening, as if it was giving a wink and nod to the bride and groom.

I'm in "inspiration gathering" mode myself. I know once I start to get inspired, it's as if the floodgates open and it comes in fast and furious. All I need to do is catch it. I'm also looking through some of my favorite books for inspiration. This is one of my very favorite quotes:

I open the door. The gorgeous guest

from afar sweeps in. In her hands are

her gifts - the gifts of hours and far-seeing

moments, the gift of mornings and evenings,

the gift of spring and summer, the gift

of autumn and winter. She must have searched

the heavens for boons so rare.

- Abbie Graham

Moving On

"Single Lily"  

Oil on Canvas

9x12

Sold

This year my goal has been to get out of the studio and share my paintings with the world.  It's been a steep learning curve for me.  And at times, it's been uncomfortable.  I've achieved some important goals:  updating my website, having business cards printed, having postcards to my show printed, sending out invites and showing up for my first show, sending handwritten thank you notes out and jumping into the blogosphere.  Whew.  

I'm happy at this point.  And I'm deeply grateful for all the support from family and friends during this process.  But now it's time to get back to work.  Get back to the original reason for painting oil on canvas.  It's time to listen and reflect.  What shall I paint next?  What new direction ?  That will take a little bit of time.

In the meantime, I enjoy reading other artists' blogs and visiting their websites. It gives me inspiration.  I appreciate the generous souls who share their knowledge of the arts and give tips on how they achieve their own goals.  To them, I say thank you.