Our Inspiration Collaboration project is closed (for now!). We created 3 magazines showcasing all the artwork created during 2020 and 2021. Head over to Blurb.com and search for Inspiration Collaboration to view the complete magazines.
Dear Friends,
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I want to submit my painting, Winter Light, to represent
my sincere appreciation to Helen and Sara, along with the other artists, in
Inspiration Collaboration for the light they gave to me during these last years
of uncertainty. I was inspired to
create! Thank you! |
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I've never been involved in such a lengthy art project before. I never imagined how much I would stretch and grow as an artist, and the sense of accomplishment I would feel. This piece was created using 14 images. The stage represents our project, set with a portrait showing Helen's Snow Cardinal from January 2020. The stage floor was created using Helen's Winter Cardinal (both used with her permission). The branches and berries are a modified version of my response to Snow Cardinal, and the blue jays represent the two of us....one flying off stage on the next adventure. |
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| What is it with the name of this painting? In symbolism cardinals are good news indeed. Many believe that cardinal appear when angels are near. They are said to bring a heaven-sent message of love to you. These guys have so much devotion for their mates, our male constantly feeds his female. Both are very good parents and we have enjoyed multiple generations of cardinals raised on our backyard feeder. |
December Inspiration 1: Winter Cardinal by Helen Eaton
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| There was an idea... Sara wrote, "... it would challenge me to get out of my comfort zone... get my brain working in different ways." I replied, "I've had a restless feeling that it's time for something new... different... challenging..." 72 hours and countless e-mails later, our idea had a name, a blog, an Instagram account, a Pinterest board, and participants were invited. In the last 24 months, I have indeed been challenged to think and create outside my comfort zone. I know I've grown as a painter, writer, and friend because of Inspiration Collaboration. My first inspiration image was Snow Cardinal. Winter Cardinal brings me full-circle. |
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I love color, but Sara’s
images and words have taught me that lots of color isn’t a requirement for
beauty. Her very first inspiration image was Barely There. When I
saw that 24 months ago, I thought, “Oh, dear… I can’t do this… The image is… barely
there!” But, I did paint a response to that one as well as the 35 that
followed. What a rigorous artistic endeavor! What a pleasure! This was view from our
mailbox in February of 2011. I chose this image, this style, and this
color palette for Sara’s The Next Adventure to honor her. |
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| As we end this year of inspirations I’m grateful to Helen and Sara for the encouragement they have provided all of us. Winter is my favorite season. Its cozy silence provides a time for quiet reflection and an opportunity to discover beauty in the barest of landscapes. Let it snow! |
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| As our two year Inspiration Collaboration project comes to an end, I celebrate the wonderful art that has been created by such a talented group of people. I know everyone will continue to inspire me as we go off on a new adventure. |
These are our final two Inspiration Images. As you consider each of them, let your creativity lead you make something special this month.
December Inspiration 1: Winter Cardinal by Helen Eaton
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There was an idea... Sara wrote, "... it would challenge me to get out of my comfort zone... get my brain working in different ways." I replied, "I've had a restless feeling that it's time for something new... different... challenging..." 72 hours and countless e-mails later, our idea had a name, a blog, an Instagram account, a Pinterest board, and participants were invited. In the last 24 months, I have indeed been challenged to think and create outside my comfort zone. I know I've grown as a painter, writer, and friend because of Inspiration Collaboration. My first inspiration image was Snow Cardinal. Winter Cardinal brings me full-circle. |
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| As our two year Inspiration Collaboration project comes to an end, I celebrate the wonderful art that has been created by such a talented group of people. I know everyone will continue to inspire me as we go off on a new adventure. |
Helen Eaton: Poppies Oil on Canvas, 8"x 16"  |
I don’t know much about poppies. I’ve never grown a poppy, and I’m really not
sure I’ve ever seen one growing. I know
the poppies in The Wizard of Oz
almost put Dorothy to sleep, and I know that opium somehow comes from poppies. Those aren’t very positive, but I recently
learned that poppies are a symbol for remembering fallen soldiers. That’s good
to know. I do think they’re beautiful flowers, but my favorite kind
is spelled a different way… My four (five soon) grandkids are so lucky to have
my Ron for their Pop-E. |
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| Inspired by Sara’s single poppy, I submit my adventure in a field of roadside poppies. |
Inspiration Image: Poppy by Sara Harley
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| As far back as I can remember, poppies have been one of my favourite flowers. It always stops me in my tracks to see a swath of them in a flower garden, and I think it would be marvelous to see a field of them. Of course, at this time of year they are a symbol of sacrifice, lest we forget. |
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| All that red! Both Helen and Sara featured red in their inspiration pieces and red is my favorite color! This is a box for holding special treasures; surely you have one or two of those, don’t you? |
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| In January, Helen provided a blueberry muffin as inspiration. The image I created in response was accepted (and sold!) at an exhibit called Palate. After finishing at the gallery, we had a lovely time exploring and ended up at a country store filled with everything imaginable. I bought myself a winter hat with a huge pom pom on top. My husband still can't believe that I wear this hat, as I typically wear black or grey. I consider it a little pleasure, my small statement of fashion fun. Our little inspiration group has influenced me in many ways! |
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| Getting ready for winter! |
Inspiration Image: Little Treasure by Helen Eaton
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| What kinds of hats do you wear? Either metaphorically (grandma, artist, cook, gardener) or actually on your head (toboggan to keep you warm, wide brimmed to shield your face from sun, baseball cap to keep your hair up)? I once said to my sister who wears hats beautifully, “I wish I had whatever it takes to be able to wear a hat.” She replied, “All it takes it to put one on your head.” Thanks Rebecca Marinoni for capturing this image with her camera and allowing me paint it. |
