Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Your Art Inspired by Dickson Street

    Enjoy the art inspired by Helen's painting, Dickson Street
(The Inspiration Image is at the bottom of this post.)


Deidre Townsend: Venice, Where Else!
Oil on Canvas, 30"x 40"
Well, I finally finished it. It started as an inspiration from Helen’s Dickson Street (and a bit from my own Through the Storm). I think everyone can recognize scenes from Venice, even if you’ve never visited. It also started as an monochromatic abstract, but you can’t paint Venice without color, I’ve discovered. This will be a gift to my sweet next door neighbor who has helped me through the most difficult year of my life. I painted Venice for her because I felt it was a place she would love to go. Little did I know, that’s where she went on her honeymoon! I hope she loves it. Thanks for all the inspirations. It’s been fun, and well, inspirational! 

Deidre Townsend: Through the Storm
Acrylic Triptych on Canvas
Skyscrapers and concrete are part of a big city's personality.  Storms come through and wash the grime away leaving wet, glossy streets. The sun peeking through shines gold off the glass while people start to emerge to carry on about their day.  One lone umbrella gleams red in rebellion against all the gray and white of the streets.



Sara Harley: Bridgewater Reflections
Photograph
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia is a town of approximately 9000 people. Like many small towns, the downtown has seen better days. Most people have changed their shopping habits, making malls their primary choice. There have been subtle changes over the past few years and our downtown is improving. The most striking feature of our town is the LaHave River running through it, a tidal river that flows to the Atlantic Ocean. I walk along the river every day enjoying the cry of the seagulls, the sight of the occasional seal, and the ever changing reflections of our downtown.


Inspiration Image:  Dickson Street by Helen Eaton
It seems like most towns have their special places that give them personality… the landmark where everybody has their pictures made, the street for the parade route, the square where the farmers’ market sets up or rallies take place, the restaurant that always has a long wait list, the old homes in the historic district, or the building whose silhouette appears on the city logo.

Dickson Street is my city’s colorful strip of activity.



Saturday, April 24, 2021

Your Art Inspired by Here Comes the Sun

    Enjoy the art inspired by Sara's photograph, Here Comes the Sun. 
(The Inspiration Image is at the bottom of this post.)

Deidre Townsend: There Goes the Sun
Oil on Canvas Board
Sara talked about how spectacular a sunrise is.  I'm more of a night person, so I don't see as many sunrises as I do sunsets.  I do agree with her about looking at the right moment so you don't miss something incredible.  I have dozens of pictures of sunsets from my childhood home in Louisiana.  The bayou makes a beautiful setting for a spectacular sunset almost every night.  Capturing it on canvas enables me to keep it even though I don't get to see it often anymore.


Jeanne King: Good Day, Sunshine
Acrylic Pens on Rock
There is no happier image than a smiling sun, and I’m looking for happiness these days! 


Julie Brandt: Summer Sun and Water
Acrylic on Canvas Board, 4"x 4"

Here are my twin oceanside paintings. Being by the water, and type of water, gives me peace and joy.  I guess that means I am a water sign.  

Lynn Hanousek: April Sunrise
5x60 inch scarf from leftover yarn

Who would knit a scarf to use in April one might ask? Spring is here, the weather is warmer. I started knitting this project to see if I could use up some leftover yarn. It's simply knit one, purl one and it seemed to work, so I kept on going bringing all of the colors randomly together like a beautiful sunrise. It's finished now and it is so cold and windy out today, a day so close to the end of April, that I’ll wear it when I go out later.

 
Helen Eaton: Sunrise Ablaze
Mixed Media Collage
I discovered that Sara's gorgeous fire-y sunrise was only one of many when I clicked over to her blog.  She had taken a photo from her kitchen window on 25 different mornings.  Each was exactly the same... and completely different.  I noticed that one of them showed a small cottage in the trees.  I'd add that cottage to my collage. 
(If you're wondering, yes... I did stress a lot over it looking like my cottage was on fire instead of the sun rising behind it.  In the end, I embraced the issue by giving the piece a fire-y title.)


Inspiration Image:  Here Comes the Sun by Sara Harley
Every morning I stand at my kitchen window and look at a masterpiece. Each day is unique and sometimes if you don't look at just the right moment, you'll miss something spectacular. The simple beauty of a sunrise is a gift, and a wonderful way to start a day.




Thursday, April 1, 2021

April 2021- Inspiration Images

Welcome!  We hope you join us this month and see where your creativity will take you.

We've provided two new inspiration images.  Does one of them cause your imagination to stir? remind you of something? cause you to reflect? give you an idea? We look forward to seeing your art inspired by one of them! 

We would love to see YOUR art alongside ours this month! Make it with paint... or wood... or yarn... or fabric... or words... or a camera... or clay... pen and ink...  YES, your art will fit in perfectly!

April Inspiration 1: Dickson Street by Helen Eaton

It seems like most towns have their special places that give them personality… the landmark where everybody has their pictures made, the street for the parade route, the square where the farmers’ market sets up or rallies take place, the restaurant that always has a long wait list, the old homes in the historic district, or the building whose silhouette appears on the city logo.

Dickson Street is my city’s colorful strip of activity.




April Inspiration 2: Here Comes the Sun by Sara Harley
Every morning I stand at my kitchen window and look at a masterpiece. Each day is unique and sometimes if you don't look at just the right moment, you'll miss something spectacular. The simple beauty of a sunrise is a gift, and a wonderful way to start a day.