The windows of my apartment face west and some evenings, I am treated to the magnificent colors of a sunset like this one. After enjoying a view like this, I find myself reaching for richly saturated oranges, pinks and purples in whatever art materials are close at hand. That evening it was textured yarn that inspired me to sit down and create a freeform knitted square. I just kept going around and around the square, adding different yarns as I went along. I had no idea what it was that I was creating but felt compelled to express those rich colors in some way. Now my square is hanging in my studio waiting for what’s next.
Should I make my square into a bag? A wall hanging? Add beads? Most definitely about the beads. What do you think? What inspires you to create?
Art and Tea 
Just about anything can inspire me to create. LOL. And, your little square would make a funky bag. I like it. Also, thanks for linking me! Please stop by anytime. Cheers from Boston=:)
The sunset is beautiful!
Hmmm,, I think the square is wall hanging.
Your square is wonderful! I think it would make a really cool bag. I love your pic of the sunset and the fact that it inspired you!
Hello Lone Beader, Dave & geckogrrl, Thanks for your feedback about my knitted square! Hey, if I make another one, I could have a cool, funky bag and a cool, funky wall hanging. Hmmmm, possibilities…..
Hi artandtea,
Beautiful picture of your view! There is so much beauty around us.
To answer your questions: I am mostly inspired by nature and the freeform square would make a cute bag. I love the colors. How big is it? I cannot tell from the picture. And yes, ALWAYS add beads!!! 😉
Happy blogging!
Thanks Toine, for stopping by and adding your kind comments! My square is 10″ by 10″.
Karen, best of luck on your blog! I look forward to reading your posts and the comments of other creative folks. What really inspires me are color and pattern, especially radial, repetitive, and interlocking patterns. Perhaps that’s why I like Celtic knotwork and quilts so much, and why [polymer clay artist] Sarah Shriver is my idol ! My preferred media is polymer clay, although I dabble in others as well. Although I do get a lot of inspiration from nature, I tend to ‘reinterpret’ what I see into something abstract or geometric. For example, I might take the colors of a sunset and make a Skinner blend sheet with it and then lay cane slices with a translucent background over it so it looks like the cane slices are ‘floating’ on the sunset. My designs don’t have hidden meanings or ‘symbolism’, they are intended simply to be pleasing to the eye. I want people who see my work to enjoy the colors and patterns, and be intrigued by the interplay between them. Oh, yeah, and making something ‘finished’ is an important part of my work, which means that I am compelled to ‘sand and buff’ even if it is incredibly tedious.
I love the colors of your piece, Karen. I’m sure it will develop into something special ! Often the best art comes from pieces we create without a specific ‘end vision’ in mind.
Hi Dora, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about what inspires you!
Hi Karen! Great blog site! I don’t usually read blogs, but I’m glad I clicked on yours. The ‘Gratitude Journal’ is such a wonderful idea. Your view of the sunsets is a treasure to behold.
I see your colorful knitted square hanging on a wall, suspended from a branch or other natural structure plucked from nature’s blessings. The addition of bead structures will certainly add to your elegant creation. How joyful is the ability to translate one of your visual ‘gratitudes’ into a tactile composition that can be experienced by others. A gift of celebration.
It seems that, when my imagination decides to release its spirit, volumes of inspirations bombard my psyche at warp speed! And it’s sometimes overwhelming to sort out and organize the creative possibilities and choices of media to use to express the emotions and relativity of each inspiration.
It’s time to stop and be centered. So, my clay and a little empty bottle are often conjoined – and the resulting object trouve` is often an entertaining surprise. (But sometimes I am compelled to remember our Guild motto…! LOL!) Or sometimes a trip to the fabric store churns colorful images to awaken my imagination… or a quiet walk in the woods or along the shore.
Tricia
Thanks Tricia. I’m so glad that you came to visit! I really enjoyed reading your comments about what inspires you. Oh, I’m with you, I loooove the fabric store. I get so excited and inspired gazing upon the bolts of fabrics all lined up in a beautiful rainbow of colors.