Inspiration Sunday

If we create, we look for inspiration. Perhaps it is found in solitude, in nature, or the bustle of the city. While we each find inspiration in our own ways, sometimes it's nice to be prodded to think past what is comfortable and familiar.
I used to paint every day, even if it was only for 10 minutes. I had a room set up so all I had to do was walk in the door, spritz my watercolours, and grab a brush. I loved it! Unfortunately, I no longer have a room set up just for painting, and, as a result, I've found myself painting less and less. I want to change that.
I have been collecting books on creativity and inspirations, and I recently purchased "The Artist's Muse" by Betsy Dillard Stroud. It has a key to " unlock the door to your creativity", and I thought it might be an adventure to begin a regular painting post using this book as my inspiration.

Besides being a book, it is also a 'game'. Three different shaped card decks provide instruction in three different areas to spark one's creativity. One might choose 1, 2 or all three cards to follow.

For my first inspiration painting, I decided to choose two cards: a rectangle and a round.  I shuffled, cut the decks, and chose the top card in each pile. The instructions from card 1 were to create a narrative painting about an issue that I am concerned about, and to use symbols and words to express my ideas.
The card from the round deck instructed me to create a high-key painting using transparent pigments only, making my focal, in the foreground, my darkest dark.
Here's what I painted:

The completed painting:
What do you think? Did I follow the instructions?


Although this work is a little different from my comfort zone, I am pleased with the result.



While creating my inspiration painting, I listened to the CD  "Boheme"  by Deep Forest

The concern I wanted to express was the destruction of the world's forests, as we are all affected by this destruction. I used written words in the painting, and the symbols were created with my hand-carved stamps: the branches of leaves, and the circle of life.


For next week, here are the directions from each card:
card 1: :- use matte medium, gesso and gel medium to texture the paper, and paint over this surface
card 2: use at least 12 pigments then glaze over some or all with a transparent wash

Maybe you'd like to play along with me in whatever medium you choose. If so, I'd love to see pics of your creations.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz