Inspire And Be Inspired

In my last writing, I spoke of beginnings. Who knew that Ira's words and mine would touch so many! I believe that being a creative person means that you will always have beginnings.....being so visual, we are constantly inspired.  Sometimes, inspiration comes for me in the silliest places. I can look outside or at a picture and see something in the negative space...a shape that inspires my next piece. Sometimes my inspiration is a result of my escape. 

My inspire for Sophia did come from my escape.... Downton Abbey and the BBC's Victoria & Albert. The sets, the clothing, the characters! Oh the eye candy! How could it not reflect in my work? The difficult part for me, is that I sew simply, I am truly self taught in my approach and simple patterning. I know the look I want in my head and the challenge is to pull it off without a lot of patterning or sewing skills. What works in primitive patterns, just doesn't cut it here! I am still a beginner in this arena...and I realize that I can embrace and grow, or be safe. Sophia, went through a couple fashion changes to get where she is. So many, that we missed last night's upload for TDIPT . I wanted a simple elegance, and after a couple changes, we got there. I looked at her this morning and thought... I did that?

I also pushed myself in a new Mouser direction. I've wanted something more realistic and free standing for awhile...there is something about the delicate fingers and toes on mice that I adore. It took a lot of changes for me in fabric and patterning along with inspires from  artists before me. Miss Maddie is my first ....my beginning, but she is a Wee Folk that I can grow with and explore.  I ended up mounting her on a base, until I grow a bit more with making her more sturdy. She also looked so nice on the black stand! I am in love with the concept and have changes already for new ones..... now that I know what I'm doing! 

Art is a personal journey, but we also need to remember that it is a voice and reflection of so many things... it is who we are and what catches our eye. It is others that inspire us and it is inspiring others. It is personal challenges and growing....and it doesn't stop.