Finding inspiration

  I found inspiration this week.  It came from a photo that I had snapped on a warm sunny day in January.

  I was attracted not only to the lights and darks but the texture.    It also appealed to me because of its abstract nature.

 

 

Thought it might be interesting to photo copy in black and white.    This helped me see the values.

Feeling adventurous I used india ink for the background or negative spaces.   Then experimented with a bag full of mixed media on hot press paper.  

It was fun to try something a bit different.   Also the subject matter was not my usual choice.

 

Sometimes looking down can lead to as much inspiration as looking up!

 

 

So glad you stopped by to visit.  May you have a wonderful day.

 

 

 

 

  

Thinking of Home

Thinking of Home

I did this drawing sometime ago with graph tint pencils.   It was sketched from a photograph of an African wolf.   There was something about the tilt of the head and the look in the eye that drew me to title the drawing  "Thinking of Home".

 

In fifty plus years there have been three places I have called home.  Wonderful memories are associated with each one.   The first was where I grew up.  The second was a small efficiency apartment.  Hubby and I started our married life there.   The third is where I now live.   

 

Having experienced homesickness a few times

I  identify with Dorothy in  the "Wizard of Oz".   Her entire goal was to get home.  Was it Kansas she missed or those she loved?

 

For me home is not the location.  It is the representation of love and acceptance of those who live there.

 

If in this life one finds that place they are indeed blessed. 

 

   

Hoping you are all somewhere called home.   

Some simple moments...

 These are some simple moments of the day.

Freshly laundered sheets drying in the gentle afternoon breeze.

Zinnias 
dressed in brilliant
array.

                                                
                                                               Clear Blue Sky


                                                                


 Sunny Goldenrod bending low.

 

 

A small drawing of wildflowers

 

 

 

 

   

                                                                    The setting sun!

                                             
   Thank you for taking the time to share these simple moments.

               May God Bless You!

Lazy days of summer...

Ah those lazy days of summer...I hope they never end!

  What could be better than a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade and a great stack of books?

  My beloved took me to the library Saturday and here is what I found. 

  Julie Zickafoose comes from my neck of the woods.   She is a lovely watercolor artist who focuses on birds and nature.   My husband and I met her at one of the art shows a few years ago.   She paints the things I love.   Her latest book is the "Blue Bird Effect".

Then I discoverd a new biography about Beatrix Potter written by Linda Lear.   Beatrix's work inspires me. Her drawings of rabbits and the whimsical creatures of nature are such a delight.   This book has some fine illustrations within.   Good reading for those moments just before sleep falls.

Marie Angel wrote a great book on painting for Calligraphers.   There is some beautiful art featured through out.  A great deal of it is miniature which I find so intriguing.    Judith Martin's book on "Mastering Sketching" features all the different aspects of this important exercise .   Stanley Maltzman's "drawing trees step by step" is a revisit for me.  His examples are so helpful.  Carla Sonheim has written "Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists".   I read "Collage Lab" by her.   She has some great tips and fun things to try.   Finally "The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed" by Seth Apter  promises to get some creative ideas flowing.

Are not books the best?   It is such a priviledge to be able to go to the library and find such treats.

Well now you know what I will be doing for the next few days.   

Hope  you find some time for reading as well!  

God Bless