Where Does Inspiration Come From?

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

As an artist this is a question I'm asked on a regular basis.  The simple answer is that inspiration for most of my paintings come from my garden, places I've traveled to or perhaps a beautiful color palette.   Many of you know my love of the southwest, especially New Mexico.  Many, many of my paintings are inspired from visits to Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.

Message From The Heart

My newest painting, "Message From The Heart" was inspired by a heart that appeared on a canvas that I was preparing.  Initially this was to be an abstract piece, but as I was hand applying and blending the initial layers of paint a dominant heart appeared on the canvas.  Since I hadn't started out to paint a heart, I set the canvas away for a few days to think about whether I should keep the heart or paint over it.  

Comfy throw pillow from Fine Art America

I meditated on how to proceed and dreamt of an angel.  Then I kept seeing heart shapes in little every day things ....water droplets in the shape of a heart, my granddaughter's crayon heart drawing and more. You get the idea.  I HAD to keep the heart!  How many signs did I need to receive?

Fabulously fun Weekender Tote Bag from Fine Art Americe

I believe we could use a little message from the heart these days.  Angels are watching over us and they want us to find them.

 Wishing you many blessings friends, Mary

“When life seems darkest and we feel lost and alone, that’s when we are surrounded by angels who care for us. All we need to do is open our hearts to see them reaching out to us with love.”

— Unknown

Welcome February

February is the month of hearts friends.  So, what better time to share my heart series of paintings?  These are just a few of the hearts available.  

Flowers are a lovely gift for Valentine's Day, but the joy they bring is short lived.  An original piece of art can last a lifetime.  And, as an added bonus I also paint flowers.  How 'bout a bouquet of flowers that never fade?  

Floral Still Life,  12" x 12" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

If you saw last month's blog I mentioned I was participating in a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Wow, I didn't realize how difficult that would be when I started.  While I didn't complete 30 paintings, I'm proud to say I produced 20 new paintings and really enjoyed this experience. Being able to experiment with different mediums and styles outside my normal comfort zone was especially fun.

January was a busy month with two art shows entered, one workshop attended and preparing for upcoming shows. 

Here are the 20 paintings done for the challenge.  If you'd like more information on any of the paintings shown below, just click on the "Available for purchase" tab where they're listed.

Thank you friends for your continued support and encouragement.  It truly means the world to me.  If you are enjoying my art, please do share it with your friends.  I'd love to grow my list of friends.  

“The artist knows he must be alone to create; the writer to work out his thoughts; the musician, to compose; the saint, to pray. But women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves.”

— Anne Morrow Lindbergh