Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress: 159

Beauty in the simple and beauty in random pattern
love this mosaic

Here's what I am finding inspiring today -

1. These paintings by Fay Jones
2. Gwen Davidson 
3. The level of creativity of the art by Ruby Silvious. 
4. The amazing use of bioengineering by this company and how they are helping to save Rhinos
5. My new Pandora radio station - based on the music of Twin Forks

What are you finding inspiring today?

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress: 158

Revisiting the Art's Way, spending time on walks
and looking to nature to find inspiration

Here's what I am finding inspiring today -

1. This Quote - “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” Edward Hopper
2.  Ways to get unstuck in creativity from a newsletter from my wonderful and creative friend Kat Sloma over at Kateyestudio.com 
   Here are four ways to jump start your creativity, suggested by my readers:
   1. Change mediums. There is nothing like dabbling with a different set of tools to open up a creative channel, is there?
   2. Go for a walk. Getting outside and moving helps you see things in a whole new way. Good for your body, mind and creative soul!
   3. Do something completely different. Go off and cook, work on a house project, and let your mind wander. The ideas inevitably come when we aren't wanting them.
   4. Journal. Morning pages are part of The Artist's Way for a reason, helping us to get all of those limiting thoughts out of our head and onto the page. 
   But most of all, they suggested, take the pressure off and let things be. Creative dips often come before a big step forward or a new project coming your way. Be patient, they told me.
3.  The brilliant and inspiring words of Julia Cameron every day with this book
4.  How my friend Minnemie sees art in the broken
5. Raise Your Hand and Say Yes

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.

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?

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?

Inspriation Today, Studio Happenings and Work in Progress 153

Working on a flock of birds to make their way into the world
encaustic on birch panels

Here's what's going on in the studio and what I am finding inspiring today:

1. Painting birds is fun again.  I'm working on a flock of birds that I see on my walk through the nature preserve near the University of Washington in Seattle.  I saw many of my birdie subjects in person and listened to their lovely songs.  It was a glorious sunny day and honestly, it doesn't get much better.... unless I was walking on the beach :) . 
2. Liberate your Art postcard swap hosted by Kat Sloma over at Kat Eye Studio.  I send 5 cards and I get five cards from other artists from across the globe.  Here's my first few:  

   

   By Anthony Leggins

   
   
   
   

   

   By D.L. Correa

   

   

   by Dirty Dogs Studio

   
   
   
3. The dog portraits by Ian Healy over at Paint the Dog - love these and the way he captures the essence in each of his subjects.  I also love his colors and the composition of these incredible paintings.
4. A super sweet note from a friend - all it said was - I'm thinking of you and I will write more later.  xo
5. The street art of Levalet of Paris is over the top creative.  Here's a teaser and you can enjoy more here.  It really makes me want to go back to Paris to see these in person. *like I need an excuse to go back to Paris....

Street art by Charles Leval a.k.a. Levalet

What are you finding inspiring today?

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings, and Work In Progress: 152

House Finch
encaustic 6x6

Here's what's happening in the studio and things I'm finding inspiring today

1. I think the artwork by Carol Hagan is really beautiful.  She is a master at capturing the essence of her subjects.  Her oil and cold wax horse paintings, I find magical.  I also love, that she paints the eyes first because they define the painting for her - you can see a you tube interview here. 
2. This yummy quick way to cook halibut just when making dinner has gotten really boring and such a chore. 
3. Revisiting this video for creative inspiration 
4. Getting together with friends and just talking about whatever.
5. Late afternoon walks when the light is just right and the colors are beautiful.

 





What are you finding inspiring today?

Inspiration Today, What's Happening in the Studio and Work in Progress: 151

 

Detail of Work in Progress
oil and wax

Here's what's happening in the studio and the things that are inspiring me today.

1. I have a new Pandora station that I love - Iron and Wine Radio - and Sam Beam is also a painter :)
2. I'm doing more abstract painting and delving a little deeper into using oil and cold wax medium.  I'm finding aerial landscapes and satellite images with their shapes and patterns are really inspiring.
3. I think a tube wringer is worth the price in that you get every last drop out of a tube of paint.
4. Thanks to my friend Ingrid, she turned me on to this amazing blog showing stunning beauty in nature, its simplicity, color and texture.
5. Deepak and Oprah have just started a new free 21 Day Meditation series.

What is inspiring you today?

Inspiration Today & Monday Shout Out

We all need to find what makes our heart sin, what moves us.  What is it that makes you feel that flickering instant of joy - when all we do is look at something?  Sometimes there is just that *click* that brings something out from the background.  Ever had words in a book or on a blog post almost jump off the page at you?  What makes that happen?  The right words, the right photo, the right moment for it to really mean something to you - right then at that very moment.  Another day, you would never take notice.. it wouldn't *click*.  It happens in life, it happens in art and it happens in photography. 
I came across an amazing website of a collaborative photography project.  Its beautiful stuff and I hope that you take some time to look at what these people are doing, are photoing - the things that make their hearts sing.. the things that *click*.

WORDS TO SHOOT BY

Today, start taking notice of the things in your day that *click*.  Also, give a shout out to someone on this Pay it Forward Monday.