Artist Appreciation Month

August is Artist Appreciation Month at Patience Brewster!

I was recently invited by Patience Brewster to write about “an artist” that inspired me in my work. Patience Brewster is a company focused on art and producing handmade ornaments. Visit the ornament page and enjoy the delightfully whimsical ornaments.
https://www.patiencebrewster.com/ornaments.html  A friend of mine gave me a Patience Brewster Purse Poodle when we had our beloved standard poodle. 

As I contemplated the question and what to write I was having a very hard time picking “just one” artist. So I decided to write more about my first inspirations, the broadening, and the here and now inspirations.

From the time that I was able to hold a pencil I have been inspired by art in my parent's home that was painted by relatives from the early 1900's. I heard stories about Great Great Aunt Abbie and my father's Great Grandmother. My mother still has multiple paintings, pastels, watercolors, and hand painted porcelain pieces. Many of these beautiful paintings were done in the style of the traditional artists of the day, such as the Hudson River School. http://www.hudsonriverschool.org

The beauty of nature and natural light has always inspired me.

George Inness

In college I studied Art History and my view of the art world broadened to many different artists and styles. I learned to appreciate a wide variety of artists but have always gone back to the more traditional painterly styles. Some of my favorite artists are, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, William Merritt Chase, among many many others. You see how hard it is to pick “just one!”

 John Singer Sargent

     William Merritt Chase

Belonging to a local artist group is also very inspirational. Many of my artist friends have inspired me to improve my own work, try new methods, tools, and techniques. http://www.akronsocietyofartists.com/members.php There are really too many to mention!

There are many who think that traditional paintings are “old school” and that one should

paint things that are current events or somehow make a political statement. That might be fine for some but I prefer to think of what is positive and beautiful to me. Perhaps others will be inspired and see the positive and beauty for themselves in what I choose to paint.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8