Five Things to Admire on Gray and Rainy Winter Days {Friday Inspiration}

1. Puddles

Whether it is the pattern rings from raindrops, the mirror-like reflectivity, or the varied reflections from debris, puddles can be beautiful.

2.  Drops of Water on Branches

Water droplets are like little jewels dangling from branches. 

3.  Surface Textures

On damp days, textures seem to stand out more.

4.  Pattern of Tree Branches

5.  How Green Green Appears

I love how bright and brilliant green seems on gray days, this is something I had never noticed before.  

The weather has been particularly gray and somber this week, and I began to wonder what was worth noticing and appreciating.  And after a few days of going out in the cold drizzle I found many details to admire. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Liz

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you a most bountiful thanksgiving day, shared with ones you love and full of good spirits and cheer. I hope you find time this holiday to savor the simple moments that make such days so extraordinary.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life.

Liz

Life Lately... Naomi is growing up...

Hello,

I just wanted to pop in and share some photos of Naomi, she is getting so big and is becoming the master of her destiny. Which in turn makes me so proud to see her personality develop.

She can be a very determined girl, wanting to help me out by carrying a shopping bag, or my handbag.  She is most often very friendly, playing well with children younger and older than her.

And then there are times of extreme tenderness, when she will hug me and move her forehead towards me so I can shower her with kisses...

Have a wonderful Sunday evening,

Liz

a Magpie's Fancy & creative inspiration

It seems to me that the magic of blogging comes from the connections you make, the accidental stumbling upon another’s treasure trove of words and images. And one of my favorite diversions is following links, with just a sense of curiosity and in the process making a new discovery.

As an artist, who focuses mainly on still-life paintings, and being someone who fully embraces the beauty of objects, I am more inspired by words than by images. Words, especially prose, allow my mind to soar and describe thoughts and feelings I have, and I am happy to find that others also have similar experiences.

I am sharing this with you today, because I want to share the blog of a very creative person, a Magpie’s Fancy by Gigi Thibodeau. I happened upon her blog this summer and have been so delighted to read and follow along, and also to get to know her some. Gigi is a writer, talented at sharing her thoughts and feelings, and her words *speak* to me. When I read her posts, I feel as if we are friends meeting over a warm cup and using these moments to share observations and comment on how much they enrich our lives.

Blogging enables a cross pollination of ideas from different areas of interest and focus. Gigi writes about the writer’s life, its process, and does this with a love of words. She also illustrates these thoughts with her beautiful photography.

If you get a chance today, I encourage you to stop by her blog, as she has a special opportunity that is the fruit of this cross pollination of ideas and inspiration, a small giveaway of a painting of mine.

And if you have extra time, check out this post on “writing life”, one of my favorites.

Thank you for following this mental wandering. And I am curious, from what and where do you find inspiration? Please share, as I love knowing how others gather and get the spark that enflames their creativity.

Liz

*** all photos in this post were taken by Gigi Thibodeau.***

the autumnal sun

Sometimes a mortal feels in himself Nature, not his Father but his Mother stirs within him, and he becomes immortal with her immortality. From time to time she claims kindredship with us, and some globule from her veins steals up into our own.

I am the autumnal sun,
With autumn gales my race is run;
When will the hazel put forth its flowers,
Or the grape ripen under my bowers?
When will the harvest or the hunter's moon,
Turn my midnight into mid-noon?
I am all sere and yellow,
And to my core mellow.
The mast is dropping within my woods,
The winter is lurking within my moods,
And the rustling of the withered leaf
Is the constant music of my grief.

― Henry David Thoreau

Everyday Matters

It is my personal belief that all aspects of the day have the power to enchant and inspire appreciation in some way or form.  Life is full of beautiful moments, times to pause and savor.

I believe in finding the remarkable in the ordinary.  This makes life more interesting, and it also expands my sense of appreciation in what I have.

By making everyday matter, I feel as if these little moments that encourage me to slow down and observe with greater intention also encourage me to value life more.

I hope this sentiment resonates with you also...

Have a happy weekend!
Liz

instagram: efloydstudio

Friday Inspiration: Early Evening Light

I love this time of year because the quality of light in the early evening is so golden and rich. If you have a chance, take a moment to admire how the low sun is shining golden light on everything.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Liz

Friday Inspiration: signs of Spring

The smell of winter loitered there,

And the Year’s heart felt still.

Yet not so far away

Seemed the mad Spring,
But that, as lovers will,
I let my laughing heart go play

~ William Ernest Henley

This morning I woke up to the sun glistening through mist and just a hint that Spring is around the corner. Still in my pjs, I stole outside to capture the fleeting moment.

The street was quite, the air heavy and damp, and the temperature crisp.

........

Hope you enjoy your Friday and find inspiration during the day,

Liz

Back from Washington State

Yesterday I flew back from Washington State, it was a whirlwind trip of visiting with members of my family that live there and some good friends from college.

Seattle was cool and dry, but once I got over the Cascades it was all white and snowy.


...from my sister's in Wenatchee...


...along highway 97 to Omak, WA. All the orchards look so cold and barren with the coating of white.


My parents live outside Omak, Wa in a tiny community called Riverside. One of the days while visiting I went on a beautiful hike up the valley behind their house {here are more photos}.


While on the plane I continued to copy from my anatomy books. This image is from the flight home.

Today was all about catching up on sleep and sorting things out... Tomorrow I hope to be back on schedule :) Until then, have a wonderful evening, Liz

Pausing for breath...

{at dusk driving home}

Hello :) The past three weeks were really busy and they got away from me, but now, happily I am able to pause and take stock. Over the next few days I will catch up and share with you some new paintings, news, and last week's time spent at the NGA.

Until then, here are a two photos from recent trips to New York.

Have a wonderful evening, and good night, Liz

{metal detail}

{a neighborhood street in Greenwich Village}

Hello friends!

Time has been flying by with the holiday, friends from out of town, and catching up with others. I will be back tomorrow with more to share!

Until then, thanks for stopping by! Liz

{roses from our garden}

I am excited to share with you that my roses are blooming right now! After copying the Claudio Bravo drawing last month, I got inspired to have my own roses. So that very weekend I planted three different bushes, pruned and fertilized them as recommended. It was heartbreaking to prune back the existing blooms, though I had received the advice to do it from a good authority that said the plants needed the energy to build healthy roots. He also said this would lead to healthier blooms later, and he was right!

It has been a busy week attending a still life workshop taught by Danni Dawson. The painting is still in progress, so here is a sneak peak of a part of it, the other side I am still figuring out the composition... I will work on it more next week.

I am so looking forward to the weekend. Nothing fancy is planned, just a different pace and the opportunity of working in my own studio, something I love doing :)

Have a wonderful weekend, Liz