Finding Water, Quenching Thirst and the Creative Soul

Little Fish, Big Pond
encaustic and encaustic collagraph print on birch 12x24
I used some of the encaustic collagraph prints from this post and enhanced them with wax

Finding water - water seems to be one of those prompts that is showing up in my life these days.  It first came to me just in the pure form of being parched and realizing that I need to be cognizant and drink way more water in my day.  The second appeared in the title of the Julia Cameron book I picked up the other day - Finding Water.  The third came as a chapter in a book I picked off my bookshelf which I opened to a random chapter which was titled - Clear Water:  Nourishing the Creative Life.  Think there is some message that is trying to come in?!

Metaphorically speaking, water for the creative soul is an good way of looking at things and it was kind of resonating with me (being a water girl myself).  I liked the idea of the creative flow or spirit as a river and the beautiful watery flow of being in the creative zone.  We nourish our creative soul with this flow of ideas and the ability to create and bring these ideas to be out in the world through paint, writing, cooking, quilting, knitting whatever.  Being we are talking of flowing water here, there is a constant and endless river to keep us going.  But the key is to let it be so.

Yet, if we block that river with little dams of excuses, or pollutants of all kinds whether self or other - the magical flow slows.  If we are not careful or observant, over time, clogs build.  We may not notice the constriction, the restriction because there still is a trickle that comes through - less and less as it gets choked into silence.  We move on, the creative soul is no longer fed and we start to wonder why we are feeling a deep thirst within ourselves.  Hopefully, we never get to the point of desert and dunes and no oasis in sight.  But, the take away here is that we need to be mindful of our thirst for creativity and the need to find an outlet and most importantly, let the river flow freely without constriction.  Drink deeply and let the current carry you away. 
Happy Friday everyone!! 

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress: 157

Working on doodles for my class with Diane Culhane
its pretty addictive to draw on these little watercolor pages

Here's some things that I am finding inspiring today.

1. little blue hearts - On my morning walk, I came across a box of chalk that some kids had left at the top of a very long outdoor staircase and trail.  They had done some street art but left their chalk.  I got the happy idea to take a piece of chalk and "share some love".  Little blue hearts now dot the stairs and trail to add a "little love" to the day of someone passing.
2. Cutter's Point coffee for charities. 
3. For all who love color
4. These lovely linocuts
5.  Poetic paintings

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress 156

little acrylic starts and experiments
all are 4" by 3,4 or 6 - they will all become backgrounds and underpaitings for something yet to come

Here's what I am finding inspiring this week:

1. This cat painting by Carla Sonheim 
2. A walk through Anthropologie always helps my creativity.  This time they were setting up for Earth Day. 

     3. Orange Roses

4.  Found hearts in my day.  You know the ones that appear in the shadows, the leaves, the clouds... I love finding these little "love" notes.  They make me smile.
5.  Getting together with other artist friends to talk about what we love - art.

Morning Walks, Blue and the Scrub Jay

Scrub Jay
encaustic on birch 6x6

The other day I saw a flash of blue while out on my morning walk along the Willamette River in Portland.  This beautiful blue bird darted in and out of my sight for several minutes.  I had to stop and watch for a while. The color was so eye catching, much brighter than the Stellar's Jays I see in Seattle.  I'm sure being a jay and all, he is just as naughty as the Stellar's Jay.  But even so, I thought he was gorgeous.
I walk every morning. It helps me clear my head and get my day sorted before I jump in and get started. I find that inspiration will present itself on these walks. I get some of my brightest ideas while walking.  I've also been adding an evening wind down walk as well.  Seems the new dog is doing me well :)encaustic
Happy Friday, All!  

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress: 155

heart
encaustic 3x4

Here's what I am finding inspiring today:

1. The art of Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm.  I'm in love with her style and that she not only paints but also blogs about her life with the animals on her farm.
2. Blue bells. 
   
3. The upcoming on line Doodle class taught by local Seattle artist, Diane Culhane.  I'm all signed up and am really looking forward to it.  I hope you will consider joining me - here's the info to sign up and here's the inspiration:  https://vimeo.com/122874903
4. Rain in the forecast.  I actually do love the rain and that it brings with it cozy indoor studio time.
5. Setting intentions for the day - it works :)

What are you finding inspiring today?

Spring, Bird Song, and Junco

Junco
original encaustic on birch 6x8

Spring is my most favorite time of the year.  Its a time of awakening and growth and it is in crazy full force around here.  With spring comes open doors and open windows.  I've been awakened every morning lately by the neighborhood bird song.  Its the nicest way to be brought from slumber into the day.  Not better than a steaming cup of coffee mind you - but better than an alarm clock for sure.  The little Juncos are some of my favorite spring time characters.   
Also with spring comes the annual de-clutter, clean up and filling the yard waste bin to overflowing a few times over.  It feels so good to be outside and taking in the fresh smells and sounds.  To kick of spring, I've been doing a weekly inspiration series on Tuesdays - you can catch up on the latest one here. 
In keeping with the idea of new growth in spring, I have signed up to take an online art class taught by Diane Culhane - "Doings of a Do-o-dle".  No one doodles like Diane, so I am really looking forward to it.  You can get more info and sign up here.
Happy Friday - Happy Spring. 

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress: 154

Working with cold wax and oil

Here's what I am finding inspiring today:

1. The beautiful abstract cold wax and oil work by Jeane Meyrs
2. The amazing Iris Grace and her cat Thula.  Watch her video here - you really need to watch this.
3. More postcards from the postcard swap

   

   The beautiful art of Eric Bruth
   My Mail Art World

   
   
   
   

   

   By Rebecca Hill
   Industrial Grace Restoration

   
   
4. My new favorite colors - Indian Yellow and Prussian Blue - individually as well as together which makes the most wonderful green.
5. De-cluttering - Dropping a 2 ft. high stack of magazines into the recycle bin and fessing up to myself that if they are over 3 months old, I am not going to read them.

What are you finding inspiring?