Today I'm talking about and showing some of what inspires me.
First is a print from "La Natura e Coltura de Fiori", by Filippo Arena in the '60s. No not THOSE 60s, the Seventeen Sixties (1760s)!!!
Arena was a Jesuit professor of philosophy and mathematics in Palermo who published his beautiful drawings in the book named above.
Mine is a copy from one of the original prints, tho the color was probably added years later. Arena wanted his drawings to be of use to craftspeople. I love love them. Originals cost $700 to $1000, so I'm not getting one anytime soon. Check out my as yet ungrouted mosaic on garden web's mosaic forum to see how this print inspired me.
Next are a couple of pages from an old book. Bought the pages at a flea market. I have used the images in decoupage. Next to each are the circle thingys I made at Art Club last night while helping my friends to decoupage. My next post will be what I do with them on Finished for Friday.
Years ago I made a secret santa gift (decoupaged vase) for a co-worker who had a "thing for hyenas".
Last is a picture of some old flower drawings that I hand-colored. The b&w prints are from some of my copyright free Dover books. I hand colored with fancy smancy colored pencils dh got me for Christmas one year, then color copied then cut out to use for decoupage. That way I get something beautiful and unique and avoid copyright issues.
Thanks for looking! What inspires your art and crafting?
Kathy
What a wonderful source of inspiration in those book pages. Love your mosaic too! Great idea to color your own drawings for decoupage!
ReplyDeleteGreat inspiration, and I can hardly wait to see what the circles are for...I am intrigued by you saying you were at Art Club...how fun that must be!!! Have a great VTT!
ReplyDeleteI love love that first image. And the decorations on the sidebars of your blog are wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful images...and can't wait to see how the "circle thing" is used. Have a great VTT and a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back to check out your circle thingies! Thanks for giving us ideas on sources of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove the print and your mosaic is beautiful. I made a table mosaic of a garden. It is a lot of work, but so worth it. You did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeletei love your mosaic interpretation! i did a mosaic class too isn't it FUN!
ReplyDeletebtw i think black or a very dark brown grout would make your design pop!
Crafts are my 'thing' also. You are like me because I try any and everything. Are these yo-yo's you are making? Love the prints you are using for decoupage. I could never bring myself to 'destroy' such lovely things.
ReplyDeleteyou shared pretty drawings and I love the last photos.. just lovely.. Happy VTT
ReplyDeleteThank you for looking and commenting!
ReplyDeleteI don't destroy to decoupage, except for wrapping paper. Most other things I color copy. That is where the copyright issues come in but also inspired me to hand color.
When decoupage first became a craze in the 1700s(?), wealthy women cut up paintings by accomplished artists they were so crazy for it. In France in particular I believe. Printers realized that there was a market and started making papers especially for it.
Kathy
Good advice and information on prints and use of time. I see you are a Daffodil...March Flower of the Month! Very nice coloring on the Dover sheets. Those books are wonderful! Nice post....Sue
ReplyDeleteLuv them all. Very nice. Those pictures from the old book are great.
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires your art and crafting? Mine depends on what I'm currently involved with. Right now it's horse showing. So it's sewing and creating garments for that. Usually it's Yard Art. But sadly, the yard has gone by the wayside for a while. The horses demand a lot of riding to keep them in show shape.
Wonderful Inspirations Kathy. now you know you are killing us with the teaser of the circles! LOL
ReplyDeleteWonderful vintage art work and I love the mosaic inspired by the print. Beautiful work. I'll be back to see what you created with the circles tomorrow! Peace, Stephanie
ReplyDeleteVisiting via Vintage Thingies Thursday and LOVE your encouragement to do something creative for 10 minutes a day! What a great way to put creative in Every Day.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog paper...totally beautiful!
You are very talented when it comes to craft world. I really like that painting, but I will never have the pleasure of owning one.
ReplyDeleteWhat great inspiration and I LOVE your mosaic- can't wait to see what you choose for grout(s), that is always a tough one for me! :)
ReplyDeleteThose Arena's are amazing...I am not familiar with him. Thanks for telling us about him.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've been meaning to write to you and thank you for the comments you've made on my blog...but your email address comes up as "no reply blogger". Please put your email in your profile so we can say hi to you from time to time!
oh beautiful!!! I love the idea of doing something creative 10 minutes a day. How inspiring. thanks for sharing the eye candy.
ReplyDelete-brightest blessings-
Karina
thasnifty.blogspot.com
Such pretty colors, and great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI really like the animal prints!
ReplyDelete