Your Art Inspired by Purple Iris, a Silver Lining

Purple flowers and more purple flowers, and flowers with silver linings!

(The inspiration Image is at the bottom or the post.)

Lynn Hanousek: Red Tulips on a Gloomy Day

Facebook: Lynn Hanousek Designs
Acrylic on Canvas

Like Helen, I’ve planted bulbs for years and nothing. This year, something. Lovely red tulips bloomed in May to cheer me during the long, gloomy days of quarantining. Spurred on by their beauty, I have now planted tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant. One tomato plant already has tomatoes! Brighter skies lie on the horizon.

Sara Harley: Dandelion Whine, a Silver Lining

saraharleyphotos.blogspot.com
Photographic Art

Most of our neighbours have pristine lawns of green grass (thanks to the pesticide companies) or yards completely filled with gravel. In contrast, our yard has been certified as a "Wildlife-Friendly Habitat" by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. We use no chemicals, and make every effort to help the wildlife in our little plot of land. Our neighbours might not be happy, but there is a silver lining. Dandelions, the early to bloom spring flowers, play a crucial role in the health of bees and other pollinators.

Deidre Townsend: Purple Pansies

Acrylic on Canvas

I love pansies, especially purple pansies. I wanted to do a bouquet of flowers for my step-mom’s birthday. Helen's irises were tempting, but I was scared to attempt. I figured I would tackle pansies first

March Inspiration 2: Purple Iris, a Silver Lining by Helen Eaton

When we moved into our home in the fall of 2001, 

I poked iris bulbs into the ground on our hillside.

The next spring their green flags were tall and beautiful... but no flowers… 

I waited another year... and another... and another... and another… 

Lots of green flags... zero flowers... ever... 

There were too many trees, too much shade... 

not enough sun for irises to bloom... ever...

In 2009 we had a devastating ice storm... branches broken, limbs splintered.

Then…  Surprise!  That spring purple irises covered the hillside!

Toppled trees and broken limbs let the sunshine in... A silver lining... 

Your Art Inspired by Yellow VW Beetle

Think happy today!
Enjoy the images in this fun grouping!

(The inspiration Image is at the bottom or the post.)

Darlene Awalt: Choose Kindness

Instagram: @dream.imagine.believe

Sara Harley: Yellow VW Beetle and Friend

Instagram: @saraharley.photos
Photographic Art

I originally planned to create something inspired by the colour yellow. I photographed a few different subjects throughout the month, but I kept thinking about a photo I took in 2018. Helen and I have often seem to have similar taste when it comes to creating images. I created something new using my old photograph. I simplified the background and applied some textures. Then I added a little something...because this beetle needed a friend!

Lindsey Gann: Time Machine

Instagram: @lindesy_g 
Wood Burning

March Inspiration 2: Yellow VW Beetle by Helen Eaton

I spy with my little eye… something that is…… YELLOW!

Is it the center of a daisy? …a sunset? …a chicken’s feet?

Is it a topaz ring? …a canary? ...the flames of fire?

Is it the middle traffic light? …a banana? …a glass of lemonade?

Is it a rubber duckie? …a taxi cab?... a smilie face?

Is it a number two pencil? … Sponge Bob? …a banana peel?

Is it a field of sunflowers? …autumn? …Big Bird?

Is it a school bus? …an egg yolk? …happiness!

Your Art Inspired by Resting Place

Relax and enjoy a "resting place" or two inspired 
by Sara's photograph, Resting Place.

(The inspiration Image is at the bottom or the post.)

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts: The Yellow Chair
https://www.piecefulthoughts.com/the-yellow-chair/
Quilt, 12'x 14.5"

We were driving along the north shore of Lake Superior after having learned of the death of a friend who had lived on its shores. We decided to stop and walk a bit in her honor. When I got down to the shore, there sat this yellow chair – an old vinyl chair from those Formica kitchen table sets of the 60s. It was a bit worse for wear, but it was there, upright, waiting. I wondered what memories were hidden in it. Where did it come from? Who uses it, or was it just abandoned? Why was it sitting on the shore facing the lake so expectantly?  

Helen Eaton: Best Friends Forever
https://wordweaverart.blogspot.com/
Original Oil Painting, 12"x 16"

Gus was there to greet this little one when she came home from the hospital, and he spent the next decade at her side… best friends through thick and thin.

Sometimes our “resting place” is only complete with that special furry friend at our side.

Good dog, Gus. Good dog.

Whitney Eaton: Spot for a Pot

Instagram: @whitneykay93
Floral Design

I’ve got the quarantine blues... I haven’t been in a creative painterly mood. I miss going to the book store. I miss going on dates with my husband. I miss seeing the faces of people that are now hidden under masks. One of the things that has brought me joy in these last few months is plants! It started with planting vegetable seeds inside and watching them turn into little seedlings. Then planting some colorful annuals. Then transferring my seedlings to my outdoor garden. And my newest obsession, houseplants! Plants have brought lots of color into my otherwise blue feeling! 

May Inspiration: Resting Place by Sara Harley

The current state of emergency has changed my walking routine, and my dog Riley and I have been taking a new route for the past few weeks. We walked the route many times before I noticed this chair up on a hill off the trail. Someone made an effort to put it there, and it seems a peaceful resting place. I love finding things in unexpected places.
Resting Place
1. a place where people can stop and rest 2. a place where someone is buried 3. a place where something has been put

Your Art Inspired by Relish the Moment

What an intriguing work of art inspired by Sara's Relish the Moment photograph 

(The inspiration image is at the bottom of this post..)

Helen Eaton: Homemade Pickles You'll Relish

https://wordweaverart.blogspot.com/

Oil on Canvas,  10"x 10"

·               Thinly sliced cucumbers (6-ish cups)

·                Thinly sliced onions (1+ cups)

·                White vinegar (to cover... 1-2 cups)

·                1 cup sugar

·                1/2 teaspoon salt

·                1 teaspoon mustard seeds 

·                1/2 teaspoon celery seeds 

·                1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 

·                Combine vinegar and spices in a saucepan

·                Bring to a boil for a minute while stirring 

·                Pour vinegar mixture over cucumber and onion slices

·                Cool, cover, and marinate in refrigerator

·                If you need relish, just take some out and chop it up!

 ***Feel free to use more or less of each ingredient.

Nelvia McGrath: Mind of an Artist

Instagram: @nelviamcgrath

Collage/Acrylic 11"x 14"

This idea began because I emptied my pencil sharpener’s shavings.   

Thought I could collage these into an interesting pattern.  

Next came the surreal head with art supplies coming out of it 

(sorry one mangled Dick Blick catalog).  

So many ways to make a picture and show how we “relish” life.

April Inspiration 3: Relish the Moment by Sara Harley

In 2019, I started my "Dirty Dishes" series, in which I photograph interesting patterns I find on our dishes waiting to be washed.
You may see a plate of left over relish. I see a joyful celebration of confetti. Take joy in the simple things. Relish the Moment: 1. to savour or enjoy and experience to the full. 2. to anticipate eagerly; look forward

May Inspiration

Take a moment to look at each of the Inspiration Images and read the thoughts.   Is there one that speaks to you? One that gives you an idea? One that inspires you to create?  Your art can be any medium of your choice...  oil painting, stained glass, colored pencil,  needlework, woodwork, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, mixed media, poetry, watercolor... Whatever is your favorite!  We look forward to seeing your art!

Click HERE for instructions on how to submit your work.

It's always a pleasure to look at all the submissions that come in.  Every one of them causes us to smile as we think, imagine, and enjoy the art and the artist's thoughts.  YOUR art belongs here with ours!  We can't wait to see what you create! Join us!

May Inspiration 1: Purple Iris, a Silver Lining by Helen Eaton

When we moved into our home in the fall of 2001, 

I poked iris bulbs into the ground on our hillside.

The next spring their green flags were tall and beautiful... but no flowers… 

I waited another year... and another... and another... and another… 

Lots of green flags... zero flowers... ever... 

There were too many trees, too much shade... 

not enough sun for irises to bloom... ever...

In 2009 we had a devastating ice storm... branches broken, limbs splintered.

Then…  Surprise!  That spring purple irises covered the hillside!

Toppled trees and broken limbs let the sunshine in... A silver lining... 

May Inspiration 2: Relish The Moment by Sara Harley

In 2019, I started my "Dirty Dishes" series, in which I photograph interesting patterns I find on our dishes waiting to be washed.
You may see a plate of left over relish. I see a joyful celebration of confetti. Take joy in the simple things. Relish the Moment: 1. to savour or enjoy and experience to the full. 2. to anticipate eagerly; look forward

May Inspiration 3: Yellow VW Bug by Helen Eaton

I spy with my little eye… something that is…… YELLOW!

Is it the center of a daisy? …a sunset? …a chicken’s feet?

Is it a topaz ring? …a canary? ...the flames of fire?

Is it the middle traffic light? …a banana? …a glass of lemonade?

Is it a rubber duckie? …a taxi cab?... a smilie face?

Is it a number two pencil? … Sponge Bob? …a banana peel?

Is it a field of sunflowers? …autumn? …Big Bird?

Is it a school bus? …an egg yolk? …happiness!

May Inspiration 4: Resting Place by Sara Harley

The current state of emergency has changed my walking routine, and my dog Riley and I have been taking a new route for the past few weeks. We walked the route many times before I noticed this chair up on a hill off the trail. Someone made an effort to put it there, and it seems a peaceful resting place. I love finding things in unexpected places.

Resting Place
1. a place where people can stop and rest 2. a place where someone is buried 3. a place where something has been put