Inspiration

Not only do I draw from nature for inspiration, but I look for inspiration from other artists, too.  Musicians, poets, writers, dancers, and visual artists are all part of the pool of creativity that I enjoy swimming in.  I wanted to share with you two artists who I have lately been inspired by.

The first artist is a friend I have never met in real life.  I know her as a fellow artist and blogger.  We met through an online class we both took from Alyson Stanfield.  (Was that almost two years ago already?)  Meet Patricia Scarborough, plein air painter extraordinaire!   Patricia paints in oil and pastel, focusing on scenes from her local Nebraska surroundings.  I am enchanted with her light-filled paintings.  Please take a moment to visit her website or blog and see for yourself why I love her work.  She also has the ability to put a smile on my face with her delightful sense of humor.  Patty, I am such a fan!

Tree Line.  Oil, 6 x 6 inches.  ©2010  Patricia Scarborough.

The next artist I have been drawing inspiration from lately is also someone I have never met.   That is because he died about 55 years before I was even born.  August Macke (1887-1914) was a German artist who embraced the avant guard artistic ideas of his time, melding the ideas of the Blue Riders, the Expressionists, Futurism and Cubism into his art in a unique way.  I have a tiny book of images from watercolors he painted while visiting Tunisia with Paul Klee, and I love the vibrant colors and abstract qualities of the collection. Macke also painted in oil, and produced some amazing paintings for someone who lived such a short time.  I do have a larger book with more of his paintings and a short biography that I love to spend hours with.  

August Macke.  A watercolor from the Tunisia trip.

I finished hanging eleven drawings at JTAG, the collective gallery in Joshua Tree today.  The opening is this Friday, from 6 to 9 pm.  I hope you all enjoy your week - September arrives!

Happy

Today, I had to take a package to the post office to be mailed. I checked my PO box while I was there, and to my complete delight, a package arrived from my friend Patricia Scarborough!!!! Patricia recently had a birthday giveaway on her blog, and I was the lucky winner!!! So my package today was the beautiful painting she was generous enough to give away. I am so happy!!! I am SO EXCITED!!! Here is a photo of it, so that you may enjoy it too. Thank you, Patty, for this gorgeous painting!!!! I love it!

The other happy news is that I have, at long last, finished my first major crochet project. I crocheted this shopping bag out of wool yarn, and when I was finished, I stuck it in the washing machine with hot water and felted it! It was enormous before I washed it, but now, it is just right for a Karine of 5'3". I am happy with the way it turned out, and even more happy that I have finished it. It took a long time, because I am just a beginner with crochet, but also because I have been painting more than I have been working on it.

Here it is before the felting:



Here it is after the felting!


I am focusing on all of these happy feelings, because my husband left today after being home for what seemed like only MOMENTS, and I am missing him already. One must balance out the good and the bad for survival, I think.

Two more giclees have been listed for auction on ebay, if you care to take a peek. Just click here.

I hope you all have a happy Wednesday!