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?

Encaustic Painting and Art, Beating the Saboteur, and Sparrow Song

Sparrow Song
encaustic on birch 6x6

There's so much going on it makes my head spin.  Yet, I know there is peace found in art and dropping into the zone of creativity.  The problem is carving out the time in between all the other things that make up the wonderful froth of life. 

The "do" list is long, yet slowly the items are scratched off even though there is no end to that list.   Today my day was eaten up entirely with errands and flat tires, and returns, drop offs and pick ups - the bank, the grocery store, the dry cleaners - its endless. I decided to write off today as a "get it done" day so tomorrow is  mine or at least partially mine.  Sometimes I find it hard to get past the "do" list and on to my own time - yet there is that nagging voice inside that says - get it done so tomorrow is free.  Yet, tomorrow never seems to be free.  Its that nasty self saboteur at work again. That is the part of us that keeps us from spending our time as we really need to be doing rather than what we probably should be doing. There is always the "do" list of life, it will always be so.  Excuses, excuses - is there really anything that is so important to keep us from pursuing our creative outlet - the thing that keeps us balanced and at our best?  Yes, in some cases - but for the most part... NO, these things are just distractions that can be managed in a way that allows us our own time also.  Its time to tell Father Time to take a break and the Saboteur to take a hike and let's get on with what we really need "to do" - our art, our dreams, our purpose.  Carve time, make time and make your art.
Happy Friday everyone!

I'm sharing studio happenings and inspirations on Tuesdays - if you missed this week, you can see it here.

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?