The Art of Gentle Domesticity - Inspiration

Inspiration is not something I conscientiously think about or am aware of. I just go about my business and things just happen.

But if you do think about, inspiration is all around us. The days that God has blessed us with, the weather, the colors in the garden from flowers to trees to fruits and vegetables.

Art and architecture.

Modern - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Guardian - at the entrances of a local bridge.

I'm blessed to live in an old city that has these beautiful examples, both old and modern. Such diversity is inspirational. The architecture is one of the things I love best about this area I've lived in most of my life.

There was some beautiful art work represented in the book this week that was very inspirational.

Here are the questions Jenny presented to ponder this week of inspiration:

What do you regularly observe in life that triggers your creativity?

As I stated, I typically don't think about this conscientiously. But honestly, aren't we inspired by everything around us?

Has this week's study encouraged you to 'see' art differently?

If it doesn't, it should. Not just in art, but in our every day lives.

What did you like about the three paintings Jane chose to focus on?

I didn't grow up with a lot of exposure to art in the formal sense. My family were and are nature lovers, so we did a lot of things out door from gardening to camping to hiking. We couldn't get enough time outside.

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

I love the reality of this painting, time with children, still having to get something done, busy hands, the clutter. The angelic faces that can't wait to get into something other than what's being required at the moment.

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

 I like this painting but felt there was a certain disconnect among the participants. The are all sitting separately, away from each other, there's no tea, no conversation. In reality, we'd be tripping over each other in conversation and sharing and fellowship :)

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

This one was my favorite !! It's light and airy, comfortable and relaxed. Bright and beautiful. I'd love this hanging in my home :)

This one would be the most inspiring to me because it's one of my absolute favorite color combinations - yellow and blue and the perfect shads of both.

What creative afternoon ideas can you suggest for children (of varying ages)?

I work and have worked with children from pre-school to elementary. Children love to express themselves with you sitting right next to them encouraging them in whatever it is they are doing - painting, drawing, coloring.

Attention spans are short, so I always have a variety of art supplies and textures. 

And doing things outside the normal, like shaving cream and flour.

Children also like to be outside, and again all those principals can be engaged - playground equipment, sidewalk chalk, sand. They can use up energy and still be creative.

(shared from Jenny's blog)

Next week we'll be studying pages 26-33.

Jenny's sweet little bookmark is available as a gift to us all year, so if you haven't already downloaded it, you have plenty of time :)

Wishing you a day filled with things that keep and make you happy.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Galatians 5:14 NIVUK