Inspiration Thursday: November

Red Japanese Maple


My inspiration for this week, in my busy, busy week (did you notice I haven’t posted as regularly, sorry!) is the month of November itself. November, for all my fellow week word bloggers, is the word! I am quite aware that many people don’t like the potentially dreary month of November because it bodes of the upcoming cold and blustery winter season. I, however, love this month. My reasons? Well, first of all, there is the gorgeous red maple trees in our front yard that turn their magnificent color in mid November. They exude a red glow, and when fallen on the ground, we feel as if we live for a few days in a red wonderland!

Yellow and Red Leaves


Our neighborhood in November is a burst of color, as if there is a hopeful promise from God that don’t worry, more color will come after the sleepy, cold winter.
My second reason is the cold, dreary, grey days. Yes, you read correctly! I love to be cozy inside while it becomes cloudy and dark outside. I feel like when November comes around I start gradually to change my orientation to the inside. I have been living often outside during spring and summer, enjoying the warm sun, flowers, ocean. But now it is time to change and come inside to feel warm and protected.

Cozy


To me, that is the definition of cozy. Feeling protected in my warm home with my family.
And the third reason is my favorite holiday is in November, Thanksgiving. I love this holiday because it is a day set aside for us Americans to be grateful. Yes, we should be grateful everyday, but the special aspect of this day is that everyone in the US is setting aside their day to appreciate their life. We are united for one day, no matter what religion, race, or gender, and united for something so essential, to be grateful for what we have. What could be a better reason to come together as a nation?

Read more about what inspires me: My Studio and Spring.

A Day in the Life: Photo Giclees

Dusk


I have been so busy, visiting with family and getting ready for my 4 shows this week, yikes!! I am in the process of photographing my new art to post on my Etsy site and to sell at my real world art shows.
One new item I want to tell you about are my photo giclees. They are digitally enhanced photos I took this past summer at the Jersey shore.

Beach


These giclees are printed on canvas with a black border, stretched, and wired for hanging. very easy gift for someone who loves the ocean and especially the Jersey shore!

Margate at Sunrise


Keep watching, I should have them available by tomorrow:)

Read more about my studio at: Yellow Day.

Joyeful One of a Kind Friday: Sarah Barr

I have a deep respect for fine art photography. It is real, yet like a painting, and so, so difficult to do! Believe me, I have tried! I have a lot of fun with my iPhone camera and have taken some respectable landscape photos, but to make them artful, with layers and attention to meaningful detail, well that is an art!! My photos are beautiful because of the amazing ocean or garden I am photographing, but to make a photo artistic goes beyond just the simple subject.
I recently saw work from a Philadelphia based fine art photographer, Sarah Barr. Her work is breath taking and thoughtful.

Sarah Barr


She utilizes all kinds of subject matter to a room, to children, family, and even saints!

Sarah Barr


Sarah Barr


She calls her work photo based and also incorporates paint, mixed media, and text with her work.

Sarah Barr


Ms. Barr makes the viewer realize that there is beauty and fine art around us, even in the mundane. We just need someone to assist us, by shooting their camera in such a way to demonstrate the energy, softness, warmth and art right in front of our eyes.

Check out Ms. Barr’s site.

Read more Joyeful finds at: Clothing.

Wednesday’s Creative Tip: Take Photos

I had to go to the dermatologist yesterday for my routine check. Pulled up to the parking lot, looked across the way and saw this:

Weeping Willow


When you run your daily errands, take a look around you, beauty can be in the most unexpected places. And, when you discover this beauty, take a picture of it to remember later. You can keep it in your photo journal, for possible fodder for future projects!

Pond


Can you believe how beautiful this scene is? Almost like a Monet!

Read more tips at: Color Can Compliment.

Wednesday’s Creative Tip: Start a Travel Journal

Sky at Dusk


Tis the season for traveling and a great time for gathering ideas for future projects. Whether you are interested in becoming more creative in writing, painting, sketching, cooking, music, fashion, or whatever suits your fancy, recording experiences while traveling is a treasure trove for future inspirations. Your journal can be a trusty notebook in which you record events, people, or beauty that impressed you that day. But you don’t have to stick with the typical journal. Use a camera, or a sketchbook to record memorable or beautiful moments. I am constantly clicking away at my new iPhone camera whenever I see something that strikes me and i download to my computer in a folder for possible future paintings. You don’t have to paint to benefit from the photo travel journal. Whatever struck you as beautiful or interesting at the moment you took the picture can inspire you later. For example, the colors in the sky may be used in a future design or fashion project. Perhaps you snapped a picture of some people immersed in playing at the beach. This could spark a story later, or a illustration for a book!

Beach at Dusk


There are stories everywhere, as well as colors, yummy recipes, awesome fashion….you just need to be aware and record what you see!

Read more creative tips at:Add a Bit of Black.

A Day in the Life: Another Colorful Watercolor Beginning

Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a brush across my paper….
Oh I just can’t help it, I love painting big colorful floral watercolors! I received permission from Victoria Smith to paint from this photo:

sfgirlbybay


I saw this photo on Victoria’s blog and fell in love with it. I have started, after sketching it all out, to paint it. This type of painting takes a long time to finish because I work slowly and carefully. Will keep you updated on my progress!

beginning watercolor


As you can see, I have made the bottom peony with a bit more red in it than the photo, artistic license!
Remember, it is fun to paint from photos, but always get permission and credit the photographer!

Read more about my artistic life at: More Progress.

Joye’s artwork can be bought at : My Gallery Shop.