Inspiration

I draw inspiration from so many places- there are instances of inspiration everyday- some I remember and write down, and some sort of get lost in my brain as I go about my daily life. Most of the time I get ideas just running around living my life. I am inspired my daughters, by my family, and just things that occur around me. Here are three influences that I go back to quite often for ideas, for focus, and for joy.

1. A visual artist that I love is Marc Chagall. He embraces color, uses flowing lines, and paints about love, about his family, and about his past. His painting is up above. Here is a piece that I did in response.

2. Sally Mann- a photographer from here in Virginia who's series "Immediate Family" is an amazing group of images of her children. A couple of years ago, the photos drew a lot of protest because they tend to show children in provocative poses, sometimes nude, sometimes in adult situations. When you hear Sally Mann speak about her photos, she is oblivious to the controversy. Her artwork is spiritual and it makes me look at my children as objects of beauty.



3. William Carlos Williams- a poet that inspires me to keep my images clear and my ideas simple. He writes about everyday experiences as if each moment in each day is a spiritual one.

"THIS IS JUST TO SAY"

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox


and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast


Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold