While looking over my Joomchi artwork recently, an art consultant asked me where I get my inspiration. It took me a few seconds to think of a response. Certainly the show at the Denver Art Museum (mentioned in my last post) was a huge inspiration, but ideas most often come to me by going into the studio every day and working with the mulberry paper, the colors, and the endless manipulations that materialize when getting it wet and working the paper with my hands.

As expected, that answer puzzled her. She asked, “Don’t you get inspired by nature? You live in such a beautiful area of the state.” Perhaps if my artwork was of a more realistic style that might be the case. As an Abstract Expressionist, my inspiration comes from many places, but primarily from my own imagination and my medium.

Where nature does come into the picture is during the meditative walks I take each morning. With the Arkansas River only a block away from my home and studio, it is the perfect place for me to go to enjoy the early morning tranquility and clear dawn light. Often I begin to envision my day and the work in progress. Other times I think of nothing at all! Either way, I return feeling empowered and excited for what the day will bring.