Inspiration, or, One Thing Leads to Another

Last year I attended a fabulous exhibit of South American paintings, 1600-1825, entitled The Virgin Saints and Angels. These images inspired me to create three icon dolls, though quite against my will, they were colorful and "modern". The relationship between my original inspiration and the work I produce always appears to be obscure. I would love to know how inspiration works for other artists.

I do know that the work of my students is always very different from that of my own, the class sample, but I always thought that was because I encourage their creativity.....to create from their own soul.

I taught an online class on Icon Dolls last October, and featured a line-up of gorgeous work by students, including one by Anne Davis. However, now, 6 months after the class, Anne has completed yet another.

Anne writes: "She's an Icon of Inspiration; she has pearls for wisdom, oak leaves and acorns (on her belt buckle) for strength, patience and "inner fire", and a crystal ball to help track down those elusive creative ideas. The eternity knot stands for an infinity of inspiration."

Nice work, Anne!