Finding Inspiration
The most ordinary of objects
There have been very few times, as an artist, that I can pinpoint when and where inspiration informs my art practice.
Usually, when I begin a new series of work, it's the materials that drive the process, the paint and paper and mark making tools.
Recently though I was struck by the most ordinary of objects as a source of inspiration...beach stones.
Shaped like an egg
Let me set the stage. After staying close to home over the last 18 months, my husband and I recently went for a short getaway, for a little relaxation and to enjoy a change of scenery.
It was a beautiful warm, summer morning in August, perfect for walking around a sleepy little town on the shores of Lake Huron.
Eventually we made our way to the lake by way of a long flight of stairs through lush and cool vegetation. It was a secluded little spot, just us and a couple of young families and dog walkers playing fetch with two Labs only too happy to chase a stick in and out of the water.
Back away from the lake, there was a sandy strip of beach where people had set up towels and beach toys, enjoying a few hours at the lakeside.
Further towards the water, however, looking left and right as far as the eye could see, the beach became an endless expanse of stones.
What drew my interest that day wasn’t the beachgoers or the dogs or even the gentle surf. It was those stones.
They were worn smooth and rounded by the water and most of them were just the right size and weight to fit in my palm.
One was as big as my hand, deep teal, smooth and perfectly formed by the elements into the shape of an egg.
There is magic in the play of light
The stones on the beach were beautiful in their varying colours of neutral...well earth tones to be exact.
There were cool blues and greys, deep teal and white. There were also warm tones of tan and deep ochre, earthy reds and brown.
At the water's edge, I was reminded, once again, of how water transforms the colour of stones on a beach. Wet, the colour becomes more intense, but only for a short time until the sun and air dries it back to a quieter and subdued tone.
I used to favour the brighter, more intense version of these colours and maybe I still do, but now I see the beauty in the muted colour as well.
There is magic in the play of light that changes the sheen and with it the colour. This idea resonates with me and it’s important as an artist to pay attention to what I notice.
Colours to inspire a painting
In amongst the rocks on the beach there was a single bright green leaf, shot through with chartreuse, and browning at the edges heralding the changing season.
It was a remarkable counterpoint to the expanse of the colours of the earth on that beach.
These, I thought, are the colours to inspire a painting.
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