“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and  not for men.” Colossians 3:23[HCS]

Completing 40 pieces of art in 30 days is a big task.  Some might call it impossible…

Come and see what I’m doing this month at 30dayartist.com

What I’ve been thinking about is, inspiration.

Where does it come from, how do you get it, what do you do with it?

And what happens if you don’t feel inspired?  How can you paint/draw/create?

Rebecca Finch wrote a really interesting piece about inspiration last year at this time, when she did the 30dayartist run with some beautiful oil paintings.  She talks about going to the studio even when you don’t feel inspired.  I think I’m beginning to learn this lesson.  I’ve had glimpses of this, but now I’m starting to understand.

Inspiration can come from anything.  A friend mentioned being amazed and in awe of how weeds have beautiful flowers, and that is inspiring.  One might be inspired by hearing a beautiful song.  Or being in love.   Or reading a great book, or seeing a movie.  But I know I won’t have that everyday. Nonetheless, I need to draw or paint everyday, in order to keep my skills sharpened, and my mind creative and motivated.  Inspiration will come, and on those days, I will probably make the kind of painting that sells.  But even if it doesn’t, it won’t be a day wasted.

My last blog’s name was “Seeking the Muse”.  I truly want to seek the Muse. My Muse is God.  I want to know Him more, and love Him more, and I know that if my art flows from that, it will truly be Inspired.  I don’t mean to say I will paint “christian” art, but my art should be an outward flow of my love for Jesus.

Accountability is great, and I hope those of you who are joining me in this journey will check in with me and ask me how I’m doing with my art when May is over.

There are a few things that have inspired me lately.

A podcast of an interview with an art family.  This family, who I’ve “followed” for a whole is truly living the kind of life I hope to live.  They are not working for “The Man”.  Listen if that interests you…interview with Beerhosts .

Also, Danny Gregory, has been a source of inspiration for a long time.  I credit him partially with getting me back into making art regularly.  I have several of his books, and I want one of his latest ones,  An Illustrated Life,  if anyone is feeling generous.

I am also inspired by my kids.  Sure, I have those moments when I wanna pull my hair out, but I also love when they are creative(see their artwork below), and cute, and kind.  I want to inspire them to do great things.  I want them to be inspired by my being diligent and doing the best I can do as a mom, a wife and an artist…okay, as a housekeeper too….

“The music  that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at  the center of the jaunt.” Bono

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”
Picasso

“Inspiration is for amateurs;  the rest of us just show up and get to work.”
Chuck Close

There is so much, that you don’t even know where to begin.

Yesterday, my day was no different.

I was invited by a friend, to go to the Barnes Foundation.  I know, it doesn’t sound like a museum, and truthfully, it’s not a normal one, either, but  it was so much more, and for this “starving artist”, it was just the right dose of inspiration.

If you’re not familiar, you can read more about the Barnes Foundation at an art  + history blog I found.

Apparently, it’s in some trouble, because some people think it should be sold, but that goes directly against the wishes of the late Mr. Barnes.

This place is an estate, a school, a gallery and a museum all rolled into one.  It makes me think of  The Frick Collection, in New York City.  Barnes intended for people to learn about many aspects of art, by comparing art from the ages, and lots of different kinds of art.  He assembled each wall with care and thought.

The most frustrating about it, is also it’s asset.  There is too much art on each wall. Yeah, right?!   Well, things aren’t all at eye-level, making it difficult to really look at the art.  But, at the same time, it’s nice to see a renoir, a van gogh and  a modigliani on the same wall, and compare and contrast them.

It was mind blowing.  It’s no Met, but yet it has hundreds of Renoir’s, and dozens, literally, of Cezanne’s.  My favorite piece yesterday, was “The Postman” by Van Gogh.  What I loved about it was it’s colors.  I don’t remember having seen this one before.  There were tons of color on his beard, even though when you step back you see gray.  it also seemed unusual for it to be a head-on portrait.  Van Gogh seems to have more 3/4 views of his subjects.  But the most unusual thing was the “art noveau” style background, with flowers and his name “vincent” almost thrown there.

The biggest surprise was the work of Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot(the piece to the left was not at the Barnes, but it gives you an idea).  I’m sure I studied some of it back in art school, but I loved the work.  Many of the paintings were little, maybe 8″x10″ in oil, portraits of women, reading , and they had incredible detail and realism.

There were also Picasso’s, and Matisse’s and many other things.  If you’re in or near Philadelphia, go and check it out, before it all goes away to other places.

Now I have to make some art too.