My Inspiration to Create

As I begin a new season of painting and writing, I have been contemplating two things that influence me. The first is “sound”. 

When I enter my studio what am I listening to? Sound affects everyone. It vibrates through the air and into our spirit. We feel emotions: joy, courage, inspiration, sometimes negative emotions. My intention is towards sound that will cause my heart and soul to begin to see color and/or images on the blank canvas before me, or to words that inspire my writing. 

Hearing when I see and seeing when I hear. It is classified in the biology of science as “Synesthesia” and is said to occur in only 4% of the population … usually in those active in the creative arts. Personally, I wonder that it might be possible for all of us to have such experiences if we tap into that creative space in us. 

One day, I had an experience (a funny one) at a Dairy Queen drive-thru window—I  began writing a story based on that in my head and is becoming a book.  

I think many have experiences or opportunities for creative expressions, but aren’t allowing it to take seed and become a gift, to ourselves and to others.

My creating visual art comes from hearing and seeing experiences while I am listening to music, watching birds at my feeder, or walking in the rain around my house, seeing the change in trees and plants—new colors shining forth that inspire me to see them on my canvas.  

The above photo is of my Oak-leaf Hydrangea that was just beginning to bud. If I had not gone out in the rain, I would never have seen the “metallic” colors in their splendor.  

Friends, I sincerely hope you see something in my artwork, in the Realism, as well as the Collage and Abstract, that is seen only by you. That’s always my hope when someone purchases my work—that they have seen a joy-filled memory or head a song they love. Perhaps you’ll begin to intentionally develop that sense of seeing when you hear and hearing when you see … and pondering what creative adventure it might lead you on.  

Be sure to read my next blog post. I’m going to share about my Abstract painting.