Thursday, August 03, 2006

Grannygoodpaints Place


Grannygoodpaints Place


Where do artists get their inspiration? Various places. I recently was in line at the supermarket and noticed the line of people and saw only their faces. Most were animated and smiling. Later that evening while watching TV I sketched some faces - cartoonish but all laughing. That began my series called "Happy Faces" and I'm pleased to say every one I painted sold and sold well. The last one was actually three paintings and was commissioned by a clinic in Seattle. I hope many spirits will be lifted by looking at those happy faces paintings. The first couple I finished were all faces, but then I decided to paint pets for the people and since there was no real place for them I mostly painted them on people's heads! Chickens, dogs, cats, turtles, birds, squirrels - you name it - even fishbowls with goldfish were all painted on happy faces heads. This is but one inspiration out of millions that an artist can get and run with and build on.


Inspiration is so abundant - not only for artists but for every living soul. Everything you do throughout the day could be inspired by something in your life or something you found in the world. Make the most of it.


Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Grannygoodpaints Place: Grannygoodpaints Place: Memories of the Distant Past

Grannygoodpaints Place: Grannygoodpaints Place: Memories of the Distant Past


The city park that was next to my home...how it looked almost 60 years ago:



Painted by myself last year. The tiny girl center left is my younger sister who is now in her sixties.



I'm pretty lucky in that I can remember the world the way it was before TV, before indoor plumbing and before all the bells, whistles, noise and stress of today's society. I can remember growing up in NJ right next to a city park. The family would walk up to the main street on friday and saturday nights to watch TV in the appliance store window...yes...many people did that because TV's were far too expensive to buy. I can remember things like walking in the yearly Halloween parade with my dad because I was too young to walk it alone. I can remember when soft serve ice cream hit town (then called frozen custard) and we so enjoyed this new treat. I can remember icy winters when our street was closed down with old tires and sand spread out at the bottom (we lived on a hill) and us kids were allowed to sleigh ride the street until it got dark. Its kind of sad that families just don't get together like we did during my childhood. I may not have had a fancy computer, electronic games or cellphone....but I had sooooo much more!

Won't you post your distant memories here. All are welcome.