When Inspiration Strikes
Much of my art pieces are inspired by nature, specifically moving through nature. When I hike, bike, kayak or travel through beautiful places it tends to seep in through my senses and provide me with a ton of inspiration. My recent series came from a variety of these experiences and worked its way into my artwork without conscious thought - it just wiggled in there not directly invited only to reveal itself much later in the creative process.
Solstice 21” X 21” X 3” in solid maple floater frame
Solstice began the day after I joined a friend for an evening hike on the winter solstice. The bare trees allowed a lot of dusky light and eventually light from the full moon to shine down on us. The evening changed from shades of white, to grey to blue grey and finally we hiked the trail by the light of our headlamps. The light and shadow of the woods created the inspiration for this piece. The colors are ones that remained in that last leaf still clinging to a tree branch, or the ferns still hanging on along the trail. The full moon made its way into the piece as well. We did stop to admire it from the highest point on the trail. The winter solstice is one of my favorite days of the year. Knowing that the daylight hours will increase from this day forward is always encouraging as we enter into the winter season.
The Forest for the Trees 27” X 26” in solid wood sand colored frame
The Forest for the Trees came along for a long while without my knowledge of its origin or its destination. I kept adding small pieces of fabric and vintage book pages to my design wall, not entirely sure of why I was making any of these choices. Then one day, while hiking along the same trail that I had hiked on the winter solstice, I looked up and saw the exact inspiration for this piece. The winter had come and the trees were grey, the skies were overcast and a dusting of snow had fallen. There it was in front of me - overcast skies, grey tree trunks and fresh snow. The buttons were added afterwards and maybe they’re the trail, or my foot prints or something else entirely. But, I love them there. The luster of the mother-of-pearl against the matte finish of the fibers and the little red strips of red waxed linen make me happy - which how I feel on the trail.
Windswept 22” X 23” in solid wood charcoal grey frame
Windswept was also created in the winter season and reflects the colors, or lack of colors, of the winter landscape. The pops of light through the forest and the long shadows of short days. The piece was stitched and quilted and I decided to cover it with acrylic medium in a moment of inspiration. (Actually, I found myself by my painting table applying matte medium as if someone else had taken over my hands. I didn’t really know why I was covering it in acrylic but I was guided by the invisible force of inspiration.) From there I added swirls of red paint which I see as the swirling of wind that often happens in winter storms. My love of buttons still evident here. Perhaps adding some elements of control to the otherwise unplanned grid design. Perhaps a representation of the monotony of winter days spent indoors. I’d love to hear what you think of when you see them.
The Road Home 30” X 37” in solid wood charcoal grey frame
The Road Home revealed itself at the end of its evolution. Because I loved the uneven edges of The Forest for the Trees piece, I wanted to continue playing with that idea but, on a larger scale. Using the same solemn winter palette, I designed, stitched and quilted this piece. It had several starts and stops due to travel we had planned. First we went south for a few weeks of the winter just to escape the bitter cold of late January and February. That trip gave rise to the Historic St. Augustine series that can be found here.
Then we went to Ireland as the spring was underway. Throughout this time the quilt was progressing slowly and I had all but abandoned it. I had moved on from the stark winter colors and wanted to work in a different palette. Then all at once I saw it. This piece was the fields, roads, buildings, highways and places I had moved through during our travels. I added the red lines and small square at the very end. They are the road home. Like the lines on the map you find on the plane, the road for travel is always fun to explore but, it’s also nice to come home.
Inspiration can strike from anything and I believe it works differently for each of us. This is how it came to me for these particular pieces. What will inspire me next? I’m not sure. But, once I begin and it finds me working in my studio, it will surely come. I keep the door open so it knows it’s welcomed and doesn’t need to knock.
Thanks for checking out the blog. I’d love to hear about your sources of inspiration. Until next time, I wish you a creative week!
with gratitude,
Claude
