Inspiration, Synchronicity and Stephanie Plum

So. Inspiration. A good topic. And an interesting topic for me. I get a lot of inspiration from the usual things: being out in nature, art, playing with our pets, reading inspirational books, listening to mediations, good music, etc.

Keeping Watch (Detail)
Acrylics on 12 x 12 in. canvas

However, when push comes to shove and I really need an energy and mood booster, I turn to Stephanie Plum. Yes, I admit it! Who is she you ask? Well, she's the bounty hunter heroine of a series of 21 (so far) books by Janet Evanovich.

I should say though that I don't read the books, I listen to the audio versions and after all of these years, the characters are like old friends to me. Last week, I started over with the first one! For probably the third or fourth time. They have seen me through tough days, two moves across country, many flights, car rides and are my constant companion when I clean house.

I often wonder why they are such an important part of my life. There's not much that's deep about these books, they are just pure fun and suspense. They make me laugh out loud. A lot! Some of the characters (like the unstoppable Grandma Mazur, my favorite character next to Stephanie's colorful sidekick Lula) approach life with a zest that I find incredibly inspiring and enviable: with excitement and anticipation, never worried, fearful or feeling the need to conform.

Keeping Watch 
Acrylics on 12 x 12 in. canvas
Available in my Etsy Shop

So here's where the synchronicity part comes in. Last week, the day after I started listening to the first one again, Daniel told me that Janet Evanovich was going to be the opening speaker at this year's Savannah Book Festival!!!! Yes!! I immediately checked online, got tickets and we are going to go see her in a couple of weeks. Pinch me, I still can't believe it!

Painting in Progress! 

I tell you, I've shaken hands with the Prince of Wales before and was not as nervous as I will be at this event. I'm so grateful to her and for books like that (and I have a few series that I hold almost as dear) - the ones that are light and fun and entertaining. There's a time for serious literature, but mostly in my life anymore I want to laugh and feel uplifted. Because it's from this uplifted and light place that I feel most inspired to make my art.

And another painting in progress!

And with that, dear friends, I'm going to put on my headphones and Stephanie and I are going to go paint for a little while...

❧ Silke
P.S. They made the first book into a movie, which was ok. But the books are way better!!

Feeling Inspired...

I find that this summer I am steeped in art and I am loving it! Yesterday, Daniel and I went to the library and I came home with a stack of art books and then added a few from our own fairly big collection that I am going to look at. 

At the moment I find that I am inspired by almost everything. Most of all I am learning to savor this time and enjoy the moments. It makes me realize how hectic our lives can be. There's a different quality to a slower life. And this summer that's what I am enjoying. Drawing class is certainly helping me with this. Soon I'll have more to show you of my drawings...

I also started reading The Help, mostly because I wanted to read the book before the movie comes out this summer. Have you ever read a book that is way better that you had thought? This book is like that for me. I read until 1:30 in the morning last night. It is so interesting, especially living in the deep south. Have any of you read it?

Now I am off to school to work on my still life for a few hours. I hope you are all having a most relaxed and fun weekend!!

Two Necklaces & One Award

Last night, I was perusing my latest copy of Artful Blogging and admiring all those beautiful and artistic blogs and their inspiring photos! As I was taking it all in, I decided that this year, I want to break out of my way of doing things and try something new. Not in major ways, but for example in how I take photos.

So, today something interesting happened. I was going to take photos of two necklaces I won in giveaways and just received. Well, the battery of my camera needed charging and I couldn't find the cable anywhere. I have one spot where I keep it (usually) without fail, but it wasn't there or in any of the other obvious places.

And then it occurred to me that here was my opportunity to break out of the way I usually do things. I decided that I will stop looking for the cable knowing full well I'll find it sooner or later and thought that I would try something different to show you those gorgeous necklaces: I scanned them! And what fun I had trying to find a good background paper and then play with them in Adobe Photoshop! And all that because of a lost camera charger...The stunning handcrafted necklace above was generously given to me by Becky of The Gritty Bird. If you haven't yet visited her blog, you must head over there now! She is a talented artist all around!!

And the adorable necklace below I won in a giveaway I didn't even know I had been entered into simply by becoming her facebook fan. Lucky me!! One day I received an e-mail from the lovely Lesley of Lolley's Handmade Jewelry letting me know that I had won this sparkly beauty!! Visit her blog - you'll be inspired!
Finally, I am honoring this sweet award given to me by the wonderful and talented Kelly of Kelly Berkey Designs. Go check out her blog - you'll be happy you did!!
I am supposed to name 10 things I love. I said I'd think about it, but I didn't, so this will be a spontaneous list:

1. traveling

2. being at home

3. being with the people I love

4. spending time alone

5. paint on my hands

6. getting lost in a good book

7. watching the sun rise or set

8. looking out at the ocean and listening to the waves

9. gazing into the treetops through our skylights

10. blogging!

Kelly, I feel honored you thought of me with this award. Thank you!!

Did I say I was going to have another painting to show you? Well, I don't yet. I still haven't finished it - the last few days simply got away from me and today I had to finish reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy. I read if for my library book group meeting this Monday and I am so glad I did. However, it took away a little from my painting time. But soon, dear friends, soon...

P.S. I loved, loved, LOVED all your comments on the books, movies and TV shows of your childhood. Many I had read and watched, but some I haven't yet. For example, I have never read Little Women, or The Wind in the Willows, so those are now on the top of my list. Thank you all!!