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| Colored Pencil Drawing: Chinese dancer I photographed during a trip to China |
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| A honey bee on a Bradford pear tree in my front yard. Colored Pencil |
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| A watercolor of a brown pelican that I photographed during a trip to the Galapagos islands. |
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| Colored pencil of a preening flamingo |
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| "Street Music" Watercolor of a street musician in New Orleans |
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| Kestrel by Morton Solberg |
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| White Egret by Morton Solberg |
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| Elk by Morton Solberg Inspiration Art has always been a part of my life. My aunt was an artist, and my father was very creative and worked with wood. Art was in my DNA. If you would have asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was always, "an artist". My mother was not artistic, but she had many friends who were. One of her closest friends, Betty Gene Haile, was a professional artist, painting in both watercolors and oils. She loved to travel, and painted often on location in the hill country of Texas, and villages in Mexico. She was perhaps my earliest inspiration. When we would visit her home, I loved to peek into her studio, and see what she was working on. I was always thrilled to see colorful Mexican fruit markets, boasting striped awnings and multi colored fruit; Texas hillsides dotted with blooming prickly pear or a rocky creek lined with live oaks and bluebonnets. She painted what she saw and what she loved. I'm teaming up with Patience Brewster in honor of Artist Appreciation Month and sharing my inspirations. Patience is a well known artist and designer of figurines and ornaments. What inspires us as artists can vary widely I am sure. While in college, I began to study Art History, and was inspired by numerous masters. But my favorite is Vincent Van Gogh. I have been blessed to view many of his works throughout the world. I stand in front of them, humbled by the brushwork, color, and passion. I am inspired by the sheer number of works that he completed in a very short time, and saddened by his tragic story, so full of struggle and agony. He painted what he loved and what he saw. And now, as a professional artist myself, I have been able to attend workshops given by some of favorite living artists. The beautiful examples above are by Morton Solberg, who I had the pleasure of meeting at a workshop in Wyoming. I have always enjoyed painting with watercolor, but this man makes it look effortless and fun. I love his use of abstract surroundings and detailed wildlife. I wish I could paint with such abandon, and yet, focus. He paints the wildlife he loves, and puts them in environments that showcase them in masterful compositions. He paints what he knows and what he loves.\ I am currently inspired so much by God's wonderful creation all around me. I live out in the country in Louisiana, and I see wildlife every day. I especially like birds, and I have the chance to view many of them. I am also inspired when I travel, and enjoy capturing life in other places...the people, architecture, the landscapes and wildlife. I continue to paint when I am able, and do travel several times a year. I find myself painting on location, much like Mrs Haile. I hope that I am as passionate about my work in even a small way like Vincent. And that I capture the Louisiana wildlife I love in masterful compositions like Mr. Solberg. I paint what I see, and what I love. sheltongail@hotmail.com www.patiencebrewster.com patience brewster ornaments |
