Where Do You Find Inspiration?

I'm asked that question a lot, "Where do you find your inspiration for paintings?"  I get inspiration from everything.  I'm probably more inspired from color combinations than from shapes and form.  I remember that I worked in a department store many years ago in the "domestic" department.  After folding towels all day to keep busy, I started updating the displays with various unusual color combinations, mixing and matching different palettes from the wide selection of colors.  I also have photos from my travels that continue to inspire my paintings.   You'll see paintings from Tuscany from my trip to Italy.  It made such an  impression on me that I continue to find inspiration from my photos and my memories.  I also have great photos from Florida family vacations that inspire my beach scene's and of course, I LOVE trees which luckily I can find anywhere for interesting subjects. 

Where do you find inspiration?

New Vintage Art Show

Yesterday was perfect weather for folks to get out and come to the New Vintage Art Show in Grapevine, TX.  There were a lot of visitors and it was good to see new art from my friends.  I enjoyed making some new artist friends as well.  I always learn so much from talking with other artists and increase my appreciation for their talent.

Congratulations to Barbara and James Crouse for winning my print "Unborn Souls."  I hope they enjoy the print and continue to visit future GAP (Grapevine Art Project) shows.

This year there were demos by artists throughout the day, and I hope you had a chance to catch mine during the morning.  It was great fun to share my palette knife technique with you.

The next GAP event will be in May at the Botanic Gardens in Grapevine.  Stay tuned to my blog for more information about this fun outdoor painting event.

New Vintage Wine Trail

The Grapevine Art Project is sponsoring an art show this weekend on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm featuring works by local artists.  This year artists will be demonstrating their talents with demos of their work.  It should be a great time to come and experience beautiful art and some great Texas wines.  Hope to see you there!

Grapevine New Vintage Wine Art Show

It's almost April and that means it's almost time for the New Vintage Wine Tour and Art Show at the Lancaster Theatre on Main Street in Grapevine.  Yours truly will be participating again this year.  You can see paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, and sculpture by some amazing artists.  It's a fun event so you won't want to miss it.  The show is April 9 so mark your calendars and come see me!

Commission Now for Spring!

Spring is just around the corner, or at least it is here is Texas.  There has been a lot of buzz in the media about the upcoming Royal wedding.  I know several brides who are getting ready for their upcoming big day too.  Soon there will be a flurry of wedding showers with a flurry of gift returns.  Instead of giving a toaster that lasts a few years, why not give a gift that will not be returned, lasts forever, and may bring tears of joy to the bride and maybe even the groom? 

I did a painting commission for a wedding gift of a tropical location that held special memories for a bride and groom.  It was commissioned by one of their friends who travels the globe with them on scuba diving trips.  Now they have a gift that gives a lifetime of memories, and is a family heirloom to past down to future generations. 

I'm accepting commissions now!  Email me your photos and size requirements for a quote!  Give a gift of an original painting that lasts a lifetime!

Law Seminar Review

Well, the seminar was very interesting and the topics were on target.  Thanks to the Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County along with the Texas Wesleyan School of Law for making the seminar available.  Topics of discussion were Charitable Donations: Giving to Museums and Non-profits by Terri Helge; Intellectual Property Rights by Megan Carpenter and Brian Holland that addressed copyrights law; Employment Issues & the Arts by Susan Bruning; and Contracting: A Meeting of the Artistic Minds by Sergio Sarmiento. 

Every artist should learn more about the law to protect themself.  I did not walk away from the seminar an expert...far from it, but I will say that I am more aware of just how much I dont' know and the affect it can have on my business.  I'm still trying to process what I learned, and I hope to share these nuggets with you...with the caveat, of course, that I'm not offering legal advise.  After all, I did learn something!

What questions do you have?

What are questions you have about legal issues and the arts?  I'll try to answer as many as I can after the workshop.   What legal questions keep you awake at night?