Recently I was reminded of Artist Appreciation Month by Patience Brewster, a designer of handmade Christmas ornaments and gifts...and so I was prompted to consider who has been my inspiration.  Georgia O'Keeffe would be at the top of my list.

“Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” ― Georgia O'Keeffe

This quote spoke to me on many levels...flowers, time, and friendship to name the most obvious.  

I not only love this quote but I fell in love with O'Keeffe's paintings of flowers. They are big, they are bold and they are beautiful.  There is something special about filling a page with the sheer beauty of a flower..or even just part of one. But that would take courage.  My favorite subject is flowers .....so there are many that appear my art journey....watercolors and acrylics.....but rarely did I attempt a big one.

My journey this summer took me to Lake George in the New York Adirondack mountains....and I brought along my art supplies.   For a few weeks I was in residence at Wiawaka, a women's retreat right on the water.  Although the name has changed over the years, Wiawaka remains a place of respite for women writers, artists and seekers.    And you guessed it.... Georgia O'Keeffe painted there back in 1908.  I was overwhelmed. 

As fate would have it,  I began to paint bigger.   I found the courage to go bold with colors and when I looked at my finished canvas, I thought that maybe.... just maybe, I channelled Georgia O'Keeffe!