Where inspiration comes from...

I am often asked where I get my inspiration. Now may be a great time to answer this, especially in light of ongoing comments made by a fellow artist, Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Nelson recently at an art gallery where she had a show near my hometown. I was excited to see her work and when I did it was confirmed that she is a fine artist. For those of you who are not familiar with her work, here is a link.
I was happy to see Elizabeth’s work up close and personal because it allowed me to have first hand knowledge that our style of artistry is very different. While her work has more of an oil painting look and feel to it, mine on the other hand has a lighter, softer feel, much like watercolors. She has not seen mine personally and therefore is unaware of the differences that actually exist in techniques.

Other links of inspiring artists that are doing amazing torn paper art can be found by visiting this website. It is simply the most impressive work by an artist in France named Anastassia Elias. Another inspiration to me is Bob Kilvert whose work you can see here.
In addition, take a look at the book called "creative collage techniques" by another inspiring artist doing her variation, Nita Leland. You'll see a beautiful rooster on the cover done in the torn paper style. This book came out in 2000 and is well worth a look.
Eileen Downes is another amazing artist who has done fruits, florals, and even shoes.
Even earlier is children's book illustrator Eric Carle. You may remember the book the hungry caterpillar? That was done in torn paper style as well.
There are other blogs, one called "torn paper art" where a beautiful beach scene is posted.

I wonder if Elizabeth looks to these great artists for inspiration too? I see her work has similar themes running through them.
I am not sure why Elizabeth is posting comments of accusations that I am copying "her" work. As you can see, there is a long history of many artists doing this style of art proving that she has not invented this technique nor does she have ownership of the subject matter of cupcakes, animals, beach scenes, etc. These are simply favorite subject matters of many talented artists. I have not only used these subjects but also many others.

I know I gain endless motivation and inspiration from my vast collection of art books and artists' dvds I have purchased over the years. I find, as anyone can attest to, there is nothing "new", just simply a different spin. I love seeing how there are so many amazing and talented artists out there doing this torn paper art. It reaches so far back that it's doubtful anyone can say where it really started. I believe that this technique may have roots in mosaics. I know mosaics are typically done with bits of glass or tile, etc...torn paper paintings are simply done with bits of paper.
I enjoy seeing what other artists create and I hope you do as well. I guess the short answer is that there is no one moment or thing to answer the question, "what inspires you" because I think the answer is "everything" throughout my life.
Please visit the links I have provided to find inspiration, too.

Show at Navio

Over the weekend I attended an art show opening with my husband and daughter. This was a show I didn't want to miss because it is was the Paper Painting work of Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson.

As it has been through the ages with one artist being inspired by another, when I was first moving from watercolor and started working with collage and had begun creating my paper style, I saw Elizabeth's work and was quite inspired.

I'd seen some other's similiar, but her work was quite eye catching! She indeed has her process down.

I was not only interested meeting her that evening, but very much wanted to see her work up close as well.

It was soo interesting for me to see the vast difference in our work this way.

As any painter can tell you, just because you use the same paint as another, doesn't mean the works will look alike.

We both use paper...but honestly...that's where it ends. From a distance one might say that the style is the same, but up close is where that changes.

Elizabeth's work looks soo much like an oil painting! Yes, indeed you know it's paper, but she works in a darker palette of colors and applies her paper in a bolder, heavier manner than mine.

She also works on wood panel and all her wonderful farm animals are framed in barn board frames without glass...again, as oil. They are beautiful to look at and the textures make you keep your hands behind your back because otherwise you're tempted to reach out and touch them!

My paper pieces are quite different in the fact that I come from a watercolor background. My palette is quite a bit softer in color and my application of paper is much lighter. I don't use the wood panel...they are done mainly on 200lb watercolor paper, so I can only push the paper just so far. As for framing...I create a floating mat style for mine and they are framed under glass.

Soo...although they are both Paper creations...one looks like oil and the other like watercolor.

For me, this was great to be able to see in person.

As for meeting Elizabeth, this was a lovely bonus. She was very warm and friendly and we had a long and interesting chat. I was delighted she was able to fly up for the opening.

Elizabeth...it was also great to be able to see that "paper skirt" up close as well!!

It was also nice to find a new gallery, Navio, so close to home. What a lovely job these artists have done with it. I plan to watch for more of their shows and I wish them the best.