I love to read.
I love to read excellent literature... trashy novels... children's books... and blogs. I love to discover a blog that feels real... like the the author is just talking in his/her own voice without concern for who is/isn't reading it. Usually it's one that doesn't have sponsors or hundreds of followers; it's just someone writing about whatever it is they're passionate about. Whenever I stumble across one like that, I like to go all the way back to the beginning of it and read it through. It's like a novel (only better). It's the oddest thing to do that because a blog is written in present tense, so it feels like it's happening now even though it might have been written 6 years ago. It's funny how invested I find myself becoming in this stranger's life. Occasionally I can't help myself and leave a comment (even though my present is the author's past... let that sink in a minute...) then worry the author wonders what this random stranger is doing in his/her past.
I discovered one of these blogs during Christmas break. (It's always in a really random way that this happens... long story short... I'm fascinated by high and low tides. I learned that Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world. Visiting there was added to my bucket list. The author of this blog is from there.) After reading a few posts of SharleyStudio, I knew I wanted to start at the beginning; I think the first post was done in 2007. It became my winter reading choice.
Then one day in late January I got to the post written on July 19, 2012 and stopped. All of Sara's photographs are wonderful, but the hummingbirds and those spiky pink flowers on this post and a few more on the post on August 1, 2012, just captured my heart.
I gathered the courage to ask permission to use one as a reference for a painting, and Sara graciously said yes.
So...
I'm often asked, "Where do you get your ideas for paintings?"
Well, sometimes an image just finds me.
Original Oil Painting on 8"x 8" Wrapped Canvas.
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I think we are kindred spirits Helen. I hope to meet you some day! Your painting is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And yes, I decided that we were kindred spirits soon after beginning your blog. If I ever get to that bullet on my bucket list and visit Nova Scotia, I'll look you up!
DeleteLove your hummer and I can't wait until a few weeks from now our start to come back. Good thing they aren't too early as we are having a super cold snap and they would surely freeze.
ReplyDeleteI too love to read blogs, actually that's how I met you. It is always interesting to watch a person grow and you do pick up lots of good information as well.
You are getting closer to the big day aren't you?
My silly hummingbirds only ate out of one of the three feeders last year... Hmmm... What's that all about? Yes, Arkansas is also having a cold snap... but spring is right around the corner. Just 47 more days of school... This year, I am counting.
DeleteDo you have more than just the ruby throats? Our are such fun to watch and so curious. They think they can take on the big boys of our yard.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. Here in NW Arkansas, ours have a green head, a white belly, and a red throat. This little guy was in Nova Scotia, Canada, so I guess he's a different kind.
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