All roads eventually lead you back to your childhood.
There once was an imaginative, mischievious, little girl who lived on a farm. On this farm there were always chores to be done, but she had her head in the clouds, daydreaming. On nice summer days she would climb up in the branches of a pear tree and hide from the world of boring chores. She would read a book or jot down her own poems. Sometimes she would just look up through the leaves into the sunshine and dream about imaginary places and people....
Both art collectors and students have asked me over the years, the inspiration behind my Nature's Palette Collection -www.trishmckinney.com/naturespalette. I began putting leaves into my paintings around 2003, but the inspiration began much, much earlier in that pear tree. It started with an idea - recreating the feeling of sunlight as it shines through the leaves in a tree. One day while painting in my studio, I asked "what if I placed actual leaves on my paper?" and so Nature's Palette began.
When Gaugin wrote, "I shut my eyes in order to see" I think he was summing up what it means for me to be an artist - to feel the essence of and utterly soak in the subject you are painting. And I actually "feel" the leaves when I am painting this series.
I took a walk today through my backyard - the woods and my family's adjoining farm. There are 250 acres of wonder and I will share it with you this world, as I see it and feel it. So you can see and experience why I paint Nature's Palette.
Here are some photos from my walk. This is what needs to happen before I ever pick up the paintbrush - paying attention and being aware....
my favorite leaves to use for Nature's Palette - wild grapevines...
my playground when I was little, the creek behind my parent's home....
my mom's amazing garden - she paints with flowers....
So now you see my almost daily inspiration and the visual behind the painting process. As I reflect on my walk this beautiful spring day, the recent release of my new instructional video on Nature's Palette, and an upcoming workshop on this series - I believe the timing is perfect. And I wanted to share my story with you.
Nature is important in my life and how I am most aware of The Master Artist. Be aware of beauty in nature and my hope is that you are encouraged to take a walk and find your inspiration too.
And remember your favorite moments from your childhood - you never know where that road might lead you.
If you want me to take you on a journey to even more inspiration - join me for my Nature's Palette Workshop, June 11 - 13, 2015 in Tipp City, Ohio.
www.trishmckinney.com/naturespaletteworkshop
