Your Art Inspired by Garden Friends

Enjoy the art inspired by Sara's photograph, Garden Friends

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

Helen Eaton: Squash Blossom

https://wordweaverart.blogspot.com/

Oil on Canvas, 8"x 10"

I have five squash plants. (Honestly, that's probably about four too many!) The plants are huge... long thick stems, wide lush leaves, and huge yellow blossoms hidden underneath. 

Of all my vegetables, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to put a squash on canvas; however, the description of Sara’s Garden Friends made me notice again how pretty a squash plant can be. Under her photograph, she wrote, "...catmint is a good companion plant for squash. Apparently it's also a good companion plant for butterflies."

Hmmm... What’s missing?  Her picture shows the catmint and the butterfly... but... What about the squash?

August Inspiration: Garden Friends by Sara Harley

I decided to add a vegetable garden this year, and in my research
I read that catmint is a good companion plant for squash. 
Apparently it’s also a good companion plant for butterflies.

August Inspiration Images

Enjoy seeing and reading about each of the Inspiration Images for this month. Take a moment with each of the Inspiration Images below.  Do you come back to one of them? Is there one that makes you think? Is there one that causes you to want to create something of your own?  The diversity of submissions is what makes Inspiration Collaboration unique.  They can be art created through work with paint, yarn, glass, stone, pen, paper, words, fabric, photography... There's no limit to the possibilities.

Click HERE for instructions on how to submit your work.

We love the community of artists that makes up Inspiration Collaboration. If you haven't in a while, scroll back through the blog posts and enjoy all the art YOU have created! We look forward to seeing what you create this month!

August Inspiration 1: Freedom by Sara Harley

During our months of self isolation and social distancing, many are longing for their freedom. This composited
self portrait endeavours to portray that feeling.

August Inspiration 2: Primroses on the Porch by Helen Eaton

These pretty pink primroses are singing, "Come up these steps!  There's a friendly face just inside the door and a porch swing just outside the edges of the canvas.  Sit down and enjoy. Don't be in a hurry."

I do love a good porch.

August Inspiration 3: Garden Friends by Sara Harley

I decided to add a vegetable garden this year, and in my research
I read that catmint is a good companion plant for squash.
Apparently it’s also a good companion plant for butterflies.

August Inspiration 4: When Life Gives You Lemons by Helen Eaton

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!!

 Although it is easier to say when you're not facing some of life's lemons, it's a good philosophy to remember.

Your Art Inspired by Cottage by the Sea

Enjoy the art inspired by Helen's painting, Cottage by the Sea. 

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

Deidre Townsend - My Happy Place

Acrylic on Canvas

Helen’s cottage is perfect for an artist to live in. It called to me because I knew I was heading to the beach in July. If I could live on the ocean, I think I would paint all the time! Oh, if only!

Sandra Walker - Still Waters

mmmquilts.com / @mmmquilts

Quilt

Helen's painting of a turquoise cottage, perched on a cliff overlooking a body of water similar to 'my' cliff here on Lake Erie and this quilt share a few things in common. I made this quilt by request from my daughter, who plans to give it to a beloved teacher of my grandson's. She, like me, loves turquoise. The blues and greens Helen used are my favourite combination, and I even included a few hits of pink in some of the fabric, similar to her few lupins!

Lynn Hanousek - Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine

facebook: Lynn Hanousek Designs

Acrylic on an 8x10 stretched canvas

One of the things we miss the most during these challenging times is traveling. Helen’s painting, “Cottage by the Sea” brought to mind all the wonderful places we have visited along the New England coast. Like many, we love to visit lighthouses. They are also one of my favorite things to paint!

Sara Harley - Cottage in the Bay

saraharley.ca
photographic art

I often imagine what life would be like living in a little cottage. My days would be enjoyed quietly,
tucked away in a bay, perhaps a soft breeze drying laundry on the line. The sound of the ocean
would carry through the windows as I sit tucked in a comfy chair with a good book and companion
purring in my lap.

July Image: Cottage by the Sea by Helen Eaton

Doesn't this look like the perfect cottage for an artist to live in?  Or, maybe it could be the home of the heroine from a romance novel.  I know I'd love to spend a long weekend there!  It reminds me Miss Rumphius, a wonderful children's book character who sets out to make the world a more beautiful place by planting flowers wherever she goes.  I’m sure she'd approve of this little cottage by the sea.

Your Art Inspired by Salsa Grande

Enjoy the art inspired by Helen's painting, Salsa Grande. 

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

Sara Harley: Savouring Summer

saraharley.ca

photographic art

When I saw this little hummingbird enjoying our bright red flowers, I knew I wanted to capture the moment. Many attempts were made over the coming days and this is one of my favourites. This is an unedited photograph, overlaid with two textures to give the image a painterly feel. I chose the title as a nod to Helen's inspiration painting, Salsa Grande.

July Image: Salsa Grande by Helen Eaton

Do you need a good recipe for salsa?
Gather everything you see in this painting... Chop up the vegetables...  Add some salt and garlic... Squeeze the lime... Then get the chips!

Your Art Inspired by Afterglow

Enjoy the art inspired by Sara's photograph, Afterglow . 

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

Helen Eaton: Sunflower Shine

https://wordweaverart.blogspot.com/

Oil on Canvas with Palette Knife,  10"x 10"

At midday, when the sun is high in the sky, the color shimmers off each petal as it reaches upward.  All day long, their faces follow the sun's path across the sky.  I stand quietly at the edge of the garden and watch their silent nods, a show that gives me pause, reflecting on a season well spent.

Nelvia McGrath: The Golden Hour

Instagram: @nelviamcgrath
Oil, alla prima, mixed media paper

I was working with the Zorn palette of four colors but chose to add both cerulean and Phthalo blue to experiment.

AJ: Blue Mandala

Crochet

In decorating a room for our new baby, I felt there wasn't enough on the wall.  I decided to crochet a large ombre mandala to go over the crib.
The yarn was ombre, so much like Sara's Afterglow, it transitions from lighter blue in the center to darker at the edges.

July Inspiration: Afterglow by Sara Harley

Late in the day, when the sun is lower in the sky, the light bounces off our small outdoor fish pond and into our home. For a short time, the glow dances across our living room ceiling in shimmering aerial ballet. I sit quietly in my chair and watch the silent performance, a shape shifting show that gives me pause, reflections and afterglow of a day well spent

Your Art Inspired by A Touch of Sunshine

Enjoy new creation inspired by Sara's A Touch of Sunshine photograph. 

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

Whitney Eaton: Deliciosa!

Instagram @whitneykay93

Oil on Canvas

Simple things really do bring great pleasure! 
The way the morning sun was hitting this leaf of my Monstera Deliciosa was breathtaking!  I knew I had to capture it and put it on a canvas.  And while I was at it I thought, "Why not put it on a bright funky background?"

Helen Eaton: Daisy

https://wordweaverart.blogspot.com/

Oil on Canvas,  5"x 7"

It’s just a white flower on a black background… or is it?

In my first art lessons, my art teacher said, “My goal is to teach you to see the world in a different way… through artist eyes.”  There's so much more to white than just white and so much more to black than just black. 

But, yes... it is a white flower on a black background.

Nancy MacDonald: All the Reds

Instagram @nancy.m.artist

Edited Photograph

Sara's image A Touch of Sunshine inspired me to submit a photograph for July's Inspiration Collaboration. This image was simply the result of peeling beets and realizing that I didn't have a bowl to put them in and couldn't touch anything with my beet juicy hands. As luck would have it, my red colander filled with red cherries sitting on a pretty plate was on the counter. When I added the beets, I realized I had a work of art right in front of me. Then I ran to wash my hands.

Sheila Strickland: Sandy's Flower Garden

http://welcomehomeretreat.com/

Twin Quilt

I made this twin quilt for our Welcome Home Retreat master gardener.  She makes the courtyard and grounds look beautiful, and I wanted to honor her quiet space.  She loves yellow and all bright colors.

This project could belong beside by both the daisies of Sara's A Touch of Sunshine and the yellow of her Afterglow

July Inspiration: A Touch of Sunshine by Sara Harley

Sometimes it's the simple things that bring the most pleasure....a vase of wild flowers, a spot of sunshine.

July Inspiration Images

Savor each of the Inspiration Images below.  Take a moment to read the thoughts for each one.  Which one can you relate to? Which one hits a chord with you?  Which one calls to you and invites you to create?  Artistic submissions can (and should) be diverse and varied.  You may choose to submit a work of mixed media, collage, written verse, sculpture, embroidery, acrylic painting, stained glass, charcoal  drawing, oil painting, or something we haven't even thought of.

Click HERE for instructions on how to submit your work.

It's July!  That means we've been sharing our creativity together for half the year! It's amazing to scroll through and see all the art you've done! Every submissions brings a smile and opportunity to stop and appreciate.  We appreciate you and your at!  We can't wait to see what YOU send in this month!

July Inspiration 1: Salsa Grande by Helen Eaton

Do you need a good recipe for salsa?
Gather everything you see in this painting... Chop up the vegetables...  Add some salt and garlic... Squeeze the lime... Then get the chips!

July Inspiration 2: A Touch of Sunshine by Sara Harley

Sometimes it's the simple things that bring the most pleasure....a vase of wild flowers, a spot of sunshine.

July Inspiration 3: by Helen Eaton

Doesn't this look like the perfect cottage for an artist to live in?  It reminds me Miss Rumphius, a wonderful children's book character who sets out to make the world a more beautiful place by planting flowers wherever she goes.  I’m sure she'd approve of this little cottage by the sea.

July Inspiration 4:by Sara Harley

Late in the day, when the sun is lower in the sky, the light bounces off our small outdoor fish pond and into our home. For a short time, the glow dances across our living room ceiling in shimmering aerial ballet. I sit quietly in my chair and watch the silent performance, a shape shifting show that gives me pause, reflections and afterglow of a day well spent.