Inspiration

Ah, the muse is fleeting.  As I have started my avocation of  creating art in a meaningful way I continue to struggle with finding the inspiration for the next piece.  A recent find The Artist's Quest for Inspiration by Peggy Hadden came at just the right time.  I have some time as the year winds down to read and reflect.  It is full of tips, quotes and exercises to nurture creativity. One of the quotes;  "Inspiration demands the active cooperation of the intellect joined with enthusiasm and it is under such conditions that marvelous conceptions, with all that is excellent and divine, come into being." Girogio Vasari  


Another source of creativity for me is the interaction of other artists.  I own several pieces by Kathryn Jacobson so her recent show at the CRMC, Through the Eyes of a Chaplin, was perfect timing to recharge.  Her artist's reception was well attended and seeing the arts community was invigorating.  Be sure to check out her show in the next few months.  http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/events/art-is-healing-%E2%80%9Cthrough-the-eyes-of-a-chaplain%E2%80%9D/
 
When all else fails I paint poppies.  That form and the bright colors always cheer me.  They are typically small and are called Field Poppies. 

The Other Artist

While I may work on a painting for hours and hours, with one click another form of art can be created. Don is just beginning to see the world through the lens of his new Nikon.  Of course that one click has many more clicks that don't turn out and the images are typically not in the backyard as are the flowers  that I love to paint.  The Chihuly bridge of glass is located in Tacoma, WA and is awe inspiring.  These two images were taken of the ceiling of the bridge.  
 http://www.chihuly.com/special-projects-chihuly-bridge-of-glass.aspx

We recently cruised along the Adriatic and  Don's photos keep the memories fresh.  Every port was unique.  The white town of Mykonos, a Greek island, was a particular high point.  
   

What's In a Name

Autumn Again 9x12 pastel

I typically struggle with a title for a piece of art.  It may come while painting but sometimes the painting has to marinate and it will come to me.  Autumn Again was a a painting I scumbled out several times when it was not pleasing to me.  The third time I focused on the many lessons I have been taught in recent workshops and finally, I was happy with the painting.   The name was based on the changing seasons and it took me several times to paint, again and again.    Autumn Again recently won a first in Pastel at the Art Fest competition here in Cheyenne.  Art Fest is hung at the Laramie County Library through December 20th.

Helianthus 18x24 pastel

Heliantius is my typical naming technique when the painting stumps my creativity.  Go for the Latin derivation.. and then everyone is stumped.  Helianthus won third - Intermediate at the National Arts Program exhibition hosted by the City of Cheyenne and hanging at the Civic Center through December 18th.  http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/venues/cheyenne-wy

Maphead

Yes Maphead:  that is a title of a new book by Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy champion for more than six months, that claims the love of maps, cartography, geography and the related travel bug, is genetic.  
http://ken-jennings.com/maphead.html    


So now you know a bit more about me.  I love maps!  The book is chock full of why we love maps and goes on with stories of travel, goecaching and the five million dollar map, purchased by the Library of congress, because it was the first map with the name America on it.  http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0309/maps.html

While the book is entertaining it also inspired me to use some of my map collection in my art.  Georgia Roswell is working on a body of work with topographical maps... which will premier at The Old Fire House Gallery In Lovland in 2012.  I can't wait to see how she creates her maps. 

Art Partners

Pink Petunias

The Arts Alliance of Cheyenne has taken an innovative approach to finding gallery space for local artists and formed a partnership with the members of the Cheyenne Chamber  of Commerce. http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/community-programs/art-partners-2/   Several artists have found space and you will find original art on the walls of the participating businesses.  If you are a client of Halley Murray and Smith PC you will have a chance to see a collection of my pastels in the conference room.    http://halleyandmurray.com/

The Grocery List

Raw Chocolate 9x12 pastel

There is a great new business in Cheyenne, I.Qlinary.  It has a commercial kitchen in which all the ingredients are prepped and recipes are posted so all you have to do is assemble the ingredients and take home your entrees to cook later.  http://www.iqlinary.com/  I tried out the service when our newest g'son arrived and gave their parents six meals, easy to complete.    In addition to the business Pam and Katie will open the business to art.  They will have sampling at the reception for Art Design and Dine on November 10th from 5 to 8 PM.  Gail and I will be there with all of our paintings that have a food theme.  Come see The Grocery List and check out I.Qlinary. 

An Apple A Day 9x12 pastel