When asked what inspires me, I don’t usually have a quick answer. (You know, that professional sounding answer, the one artists are supposed to have ready to spout off at any given moment….) The truth is that it doesn’t take much when I would almost always rather think about arty things than business, or housework, or politics or…. well you get the idea. The simple answer is nature. This is an answer that makes important artists roll their eyes because it’s pretty much the answer most new artists give, but nature has always been my go-to place to get out of my own head. I grew up fishing and gardening and catching butterflies down by the American River. My sister and friends and I escaped to play outside whenever possible…. and as children in the sixties (I know I’m dating myself) we listened to songs that told of the “birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees….” So the reality is that I am a nature girl and I’m inspired by nature things! Can I help it if it shows up in my art?
Photos from the yard inspire art journal pages that I never seem to finish and jewelry, that I usually finish…… nature even makes it’s way into my writing journal.
Simple syringe dragonflies
Birds of a feather
I’m happy that my friends connect with nature too. You know, birds of a feather 😉
Copyright © Mary M. Ehlers, Good Muse Designs 2017. All rights reserved.
« Only the lonely, know the way I feel tonight……. Talent, talent and more talent! »
BEAUTIFUL, Marnie! I LOVE all the art – your art journal and jewelry are incredible! I, too, spent most of my youth – which is further back in time than yours – outside. My family didn’t own a TV until I was 8 years old (my father thought they were just a fad), and even when we finally got one, we only watched shows together, like Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Bewitched, The Flintstones…and we played outdoors everyday no matter what the weather was, and back then, Tucson actually had a winter, sometimes even a bit of snow! I still get out EVERY DAY, even now; it heals one’s agitated or grief-stricken spirit. I LOVE YOUR WORK! anne xo
Dear Marnie your journal pages are lovely
And I am so happy to hear from you. I hope your heart is lighter
And your days pleasant. We lost Peter’s Mom
Before Thanksgiving and the moments come and go.
My muse has taken a vacation so I am waiting (not so
Patiently). For her to show up once more. Sending Love
Thank you Anne for your kind words. Our TV only had 4 channels and there usually wasn’t anything good to watch on it most of the time anyway! We we so lucky to grow up in a time when we could be wild and free 🙂
Oh Berta, I’m so sorry to hear about Peter’s Mom. I know what you mean about moments that come and go, just hang in there and your muse will come back… painting is in your nature!
O Dear Marnie~
How very beautiful this post is…it’s wonderful to see how you weave nature into all aspects of your work–( from journal pages to jewelry)–always with your signature flair for color and detail! Love your work–love YOU–and so happy to share your friendship!
Back at ya Kaitlin! I appreciate your friendship and I love you too 🙂