While I was working at the gallery today, a visitor was admiring my work and asked how I came up with the ideas for my paintings – what was my inspiration? I was surprised at her understanding that ideas just appear to my mind - or perhaps even to my soul – initially as a complete image. My work as an artist is to take that complete image and translate it to canvas or to my silk scarves and add detail to make it come to life. Creating art is as much a mystical process as it is an educational process.
How do people realize that art is their vocation? I was curious where other artists get their ideas, what inspires them. Here is what I found out from fellow artists at Mountain Sage Gallery.
Janice Bogy:
I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not think of myself as an artist. I was always drawing and painting and singing. Music and art are just what I am, so I cannot claim I made a conscious decision to be an artist.
''VIGILANT'', Scratchboard by Janice Bogy
''True Grit'',Scratchboard by Janice Bogy
Ann Bishop:
I started drawing with anything that would make a mark before i was 3 according to my sister but, animals were so intriguing that I decided to become a veterinarian. I went to school at CSU in Fort Collins Colorado but after almost 4 years of prevet studies I realized only 1 woman was allowed out of 50 students to continue on with the 4 more years of vet med studies . I changed to art at that point but have a great background in anatomy and animal behavior.
""Fire bear'', original painting by Ann Bishop
Everything we are confronted with daily is amazing….what makes me react is what I paint. Right now the crows and magpies are fighting over something they have found outside! Idea??
"Bill'', original oil painting by Ann Bishop
Paul Graham:
As a young child I completed an art assignment in Kindergarten that was a small book of thumbprints I made into wildlife drawings. I wrote a statement saying when I grow up I want to be a famous artist like Charlie Russell. So apparently I've wanted to be an artist since a very young age. I've worked in many mediums including photography, watercolor, pastel, stained glass, and oil painting. I released several limited edition prints of my oils in the late 1990's. In 1997 I discovered a new process of combining stained glass and metal sculpture. This new art form allowed me to resign from my position as the Finance Director of the Airport Authority and pursue a full time career with my artwork.
I've expanded my glass and metal sculpture to include plates, free standing sculptures, hanging window designs and chandeliers. in 2006 I purchased the metal plating company that I used to put a custom finish on all of my pieces. This has allowed me to continue experimenting with custom metal finishes on my artwork as well as use my artistic abilities on other customer's projects such as antique cars and home improvement projects.
''Battling Bulls",glass and metal sculpture, antique brass plating by Paul Graham.
The inspiration for my artwork comes from everyday life experiences. We raise horses on a small mountain ranch outside of Helena that has a variety of wildlife including bears, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, bobcats, deer and elk and countless species of birds. I spend as much time as possible fishing, hunting, camping and enjoying the great outdoors. We visit Glacier and Yellowstone Parks every year. I've also taken wildlife workshops at the Triple D Ranch in Kalispell with artists Greg Beecham, Julie Chapman, and John Seerey-Lester. We've enjoyed week long horse pack trips into the back countries of the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Great Bear Wildernesses. Living in the outdoors of Montana all my life has given me enough inspiration for creating artwork for the rest of my life.
Chandelier ''Wolf", fused glass and metal by Paul Graham.
Kathryn Fehlig:
In the fifth grade I became an “artist.” This is the first time I remember thinking that I had a rare talent, however my mother recognized my artistic talents long before that. From the age of ten I spent many hours drawing and painting. The high schools I attended didn’t have art programs, but I took lessons and used every opportunity to not only draw, but make “things.” I was an enthusiastic seamstress and began my obsession with horses.
When I attended college, it was liberal arts with a major in fine art. That’s when I learned to paint. That’s when I learned color theory and the abstract constructs of building a successful painting. It was all abstract art ( it was the 60’s) but it was a good foundation.
I never expected to have a career as a fine artist. But took my artistic flair into other fields while I tried to make a living. When I retired, however, I decided to take my art seriously. It’s never amounted to more than a supplement of my income, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’m still making “things.”.
'Tenmile at Rimini", original painting by Kathryn Fehlig
When I decided to paint landscapes, I took some workshops in plein air that focused my attention on the elements of landscapes that intrigued me. My abstract training played a major part in my choices. Today I rely on my photographs for ideas and so I spend quite a bit of time exploring local creeks, reservoirs, mountain roads and parks. There are endless possibilities. I also am drawn to horse events. Sometimes I just start making marks on a canvas or paper and see where it takes me.
"Main Street Overpass", original artwork by Kathryn Fehlig
Marion Tompson joking:
Needed something to do during my retirement))
And added:
I find one of my photos I like and paint that. It’s usually a landscape, a boat, or a steam locomotive.
''Western Breeze', original oil painting by Marion Tompson
''Yacht Basin Sunset'', oil painting by Marion Tompson
These are the stories of only 5 of our 13 members at Mountain Sage Gallery. Stay tuned for more….
What is your creative story or inspiration?
1 Response to What is your inspiration and how did you decide to become an artist?
Leave a Comment