Finding Inspiration in Nature

This week is Spring Break for our kids, so I have not been painting, but it doesn't stop me from being inspired. One of our favorite things to do as a family is to explore new parks in our area. I love being in nature whenever possible. It provides me with a fresh eye and a sense of renewal. Luckily, in Missouri we don't have to travel far to be with nature.

If you know me, you know how much I love trees. You can bet this will be a painting in the future!

They were burning off the land at Shaw Nature Reserve and this was the coolest image to me. It was so awesome how the right side of the road was burnt and the left side of the road was still tall and lush with tall grass.

This was texture that I am guessing that bugs created in the wood of a look out structure they had. It reminds me of my squiggly texture I use, only much more interesting.

I don't know what kind of flowers these were, but I love them all dried up and swaying in the wind.

I took all of these photos and more at the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO. I really hope we can make it back with the flowers start to bloom. It is an amazing place to spend time. I am so grateful for the inspiration nature provides.

Expect Inspiration in the Most Unexpected Places

Today I was hoping to think of something interesting to share on my blog. Low and behold, I found inspiration in the bottom of my water bucket. Yesterday I began work on a new commissioned piece, and I had left one of my tools in the bottom of the water bucket after cleaning up. This morning when I grabbed my water bucket, I pulled out the tool and found this amazing design on it. I immediately took a picture of it with my phone so I could remember the design and details. I don't know if you can see how interesting it is. It looks a little like a painting I made years ago, but different too. I can't wait until I can create it, but with more color!

The moral of the story; expected inspiration in the most unexpected places! Where do you get inspiration? Please tell me, I would love to know!