Sophie and I visited a horse farm this afternoon, with several foals born in the last few weeks. There is nothing like a farm full of baby animals to get you in the mood for summer. I snapped these 2 cuties in the pasture as it hit 80 degrees for the first time this season.
One of my first creative inspirations as a kid was… horses. I used to draw horses every spare minute of the day. I collected horse models and drew them. I read every horse book about 10 times, and copied the illustrations. I checked out books with horse photos and drew those too. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was training my eye to draw proportion and detail, preparing for my future work in portrait painting, illustration and design. Over the years I’ve managed to sneak in a horse design in many of my fabric collections, much to the delight of my fellow horse lovers.
What were your childhood creative inspirations? Not just to sew and quilt, but to appreciate color, to pursue creative expression, and to identify yourself as a quilter, an artist, a crafter or ….?
Summer is a great time to revisit those childhood inspirations. For me, it is walking through the pasture and breathing in the smell of the horses. I must admit that tonight I’ve been watching the lineup of several old horse movies on Turner Classic Movies, which is reminding me of the artistic obsession of my youth. In fact, as I type this, “The Palomino” is just starting on TCM.
Maybe the aroma of baking pies with your grandma reminds you of your first patchwork lessons? Maybe the fragrance of your mother’s cologne reminds you of sewing your first special garment? Maybe the smell of fresh cut grass, or the chlorine from the summer swimming pool, or the smell of rain…remind you of a time when you were free to create without limitation or inhibition?
For me, it is the scent of sweaty horses and grass and manure.
Tomorrow I am supposed to get all the information on my tour of Ireland in June 2012. If you can’t wait til the Saturday newsletter, check my blog or my Facebook page for the link to the info page. I’ll post the info as soon as it is in my cyber hands.
And as the song from “Carousel” goes –
June is Bustin’ Out All Over!
