Friday 31 July 2009

Merry Go Round

I'm having a bit of a blog break at the moment, to spend time with my girls whilst they are on their summer holidays - but I'm back to participate in this month's Merry Go Round...hope the sun is shining where you are - there's too much rain here at the moment!
Jump on and join a group of artists/craftswomen as they link around the world and tell you a little bit about their lives in art and craft.
Our question this month is: What inspires us? A peek into our journals, pinboards or folders...


Well, this is pretty much my inspiration board these days...

I've mentioned before that I am heavily influenced by what lies outside my front door. I live in the middle of a wondrous forest, and I love it. I love watching the changing of the seasons - I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds me. The colours that nature provides us with are limitless, and the juxtapostions that occur are inspiring beyond belief.

Back in my college days sketchbooks were an absolute must, and I diligently filled mine in...often with pen and ink drawings of flowers or vegetables, and the odd sketch of someone sitting in an armchair thrown in for good measure. Journals - or scrapbooks - were also kept, crammed full of images torn from magazines, postcards and packaging snippets pasted in until the covers would almost burst.

Nowadays, I rarely sketch. I should; I would like to draw again...but it has been a long time! I sketch now simply to work out a template for a piece that I am working on, to refine the pattern before I progress to snipping fabrics. Instead, my sketchbook and journal has been replaced by my camera. What would I do without it? In an instant, I have a record of intricate details, colour combinations and textures. I know I should sit and draw the sepals and stamens that fascinate me so much, but I thoroughly enjoy taking photographs - it feels like a huge reward to sit back and scroll through the images that I have snapped. This way, details are crystal clear and the colours pop...how could I not be inspired?!

Now that you have kindly read about my inspiration 'folder', do please pop in on my fellow merry-go-rounders (click on the links in the sidebar) - they are sharing theirs with us too, although at differing times...many of us are in different time zones!

13 comments:

Lily Pang said...

It's interesting that things that you created are so much in the same style with what you are inspired by.

Such wonderful colors of your surroundings, no wonder your collars and cuffs are so bright and beautiful.

Ruth said...

So glad you took a break from your break and joined us! What a gorgeous collection of photos. Just stunning. Beautiful post Charlotte. Hope the sun comes soon.

Mariana said...

I get the same gratificication and inspiration from pictures. I would like to see your drawings though.... :)

I want to live in the middle of the woods too!

Julia said...

Your mosaic is absolutely gorgeous!

meherio68 said...

Your work definitely matches your sources of inspiration well! That mosaic of photos is gorgeous indeed!
I too would love to see your sketches...

Easterya said...

What a gorgeous pinboard! Another eye-candy, superb colours and textures, I love it!! Totally matches your work, you're the master of bringing the outside inside!!

Sara Millis said...

Oh I so agree... my camera is so key in capturing the colour and the feel of what I am seeing.

I always love your collages of pictures... colourful and textural!

Have a great summer holiday with the girls!

Sxx

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Rich,beautiful colour Charlotte.
Lovely mosaic.

likeschocolate said...

Have a great vacation!

Wendren said...

I agree, the juxtapositions in nature are amazing. It's a known rule not to wear red with pink becuase they 'clash' BUT in nature the two colours are closed next to each other and work in perfect harmony. The same can be said said for so many colour in nature. This freedom of nature is so inspirational.

Wendren said...

I agree too that we should all sketch more. I have rows of sketch books and journals from collage but I have one on my desk that has lasted me two years now. It's time I took the time to sit and sketch again. It's therapeutic and good for our designing. Its importance and value should not be forgotten.

Jenny said...

Oh I would love to live in a forest! Nature is such an inspiration and gives so much energy and calm at the same time. And you work is beautiful, and it's great to see where it all comes from.

Unknown said...

WOW!... What a creative is that, you made that very beautiful. I would love to see your sketches...

--
Jhon
Get the best FREE offers on the Best Home security Systems