Using photos for inspiration

A few years ago I wrote a post about using my flower photos for painting inspiration.

I took those photos and translated them like this.

or this.

But these days I take my paintings elsewhere with the abstraction of the flowers.

"Serendipity" is a further abstraction of these roses.

Also, I've abstracted others in this way.

From these flowers to this painting.

"More" 36 x 48

You can see that I use a lot of imagination in my creating in terms of colors and brush strokes.

"Finding Autumn" 30 x 48

In "Finding Autumn" I had to use a bit more imagination on looking up at the sky through changing color leaves because our leaves barely change color.

I was thinking of this photo for "The new pink"

"The new pink" 48 x 36

I find my flower photos very inspiring.

What do you find inspiring in your work?

Life Lately

I wish I had some Earth-shattering news but I don't, I just have the daily ups and downs of life to report here. It's been a long while since I blogged but a few things have happened.

My husband quit his job and it took quite a long time to find another one but find it he did. While he was off we got a dog.

She is much bigger than this now but not so naughty.

Since moving to Charleston we have had quite a few visitors so I try to keep my home looking nice. We have not painted and added new lighting like I wish we had but it'll happen eventually.

I am very happy to live here. The weather is gorgeous. There are beaches just 15 minutes from my house and art galleries and restaurants galore. There is a historic downtown with church steeples, and more galleries, restaurants and shops. We are lucky to live where we do.

I have been painting quite a bit. I have even put a few of the pieces in my shop

I have also restarted my Etsy shop for small paper pieces like this one.

"Got the Blues" 22 x 30

I've listed cards for Christmas and other holidays.

I also went to the Traditional Home Southern Style Now Designer Showhouse.

I should add that the house on Hasell street is owned by the designers and shop owners Michael Mitchell and Tyler Hill who also own Mitchell Hill, a shop in Charleston that sells my artwork.

The house was so gorgeous!

I saw a few friends there.

Traci Zeller and CR Laine's Holly Blalock

Traci Zeller designed the carriage house den which was the original kitchen to the very old house. She used furniture from several dealers but the things from CR Laine were exquisite. The showhouse is now over and I hope you were able to see it. If not plan a visit to the next one, they are so delightful.

While I was there someone from Mitchell Hill asked me if I had seen my painting hanging upstairs. I didn't even know my artwork was being used!

You can't see the toilet under it but trust me it's there! Haha! I doubt it stayed behind after the showhouse was over but it was fun to see it there.