Finding Inspiration: There's a Mouse in my Memory

In Inspiration By Karina Foster

Inspiration can come from so many places. Sometimes a word or a picture will stir a memory.

As I trace the thread of a memory it often weaves a tapestry in my mind of vivid images, ready to be transformed into art.

A few words triggered such a moment recently when I remembered a favorite childhood book that Id shared with my children, Frederick by Leo Lionni.

I went searching through the bookshelf of childrens books in our home that we'd kept even after the children had outgrown them. I found Frederick, and began flipping through it.

Next I picked up The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and paged through the beautiful illustrations. Sometime later I emerged from my journey through The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

I was flooded with ideas and inspiration for projects. The experience brought a smile to my face as I realized that the simple little story of Frederick had been an inspiration my life through.

Much like Frederick, Ive always labored to collect colors and imagery, things that arent always tangible but have a value all the same.

What things from your memory inspire you? Have any of them shaped how you value art? Tell us your story in the comments below (now through May 31, 2012), and we'll choose our favorite to win a Pattern Making Kit (a $64 value) which you can use to turn your memories into real patterns!

Rebecca H. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in those practical everyday items that can be transformed into usable art.

Nicole W. • May 31, 2012

Shadows, as they dance along the corners of a lake, shy of the bright knife flashes of shark fin light in the open water, become serpentine solder lines snaking along the edges of my stained glass forests. Shadows, as they caress the unblemished cheek of yet another child who is not my own, become the oak leaf patterns I turn into that child's nightlight, chasing away bad dreams with soft light and love. Shadows, as they play around the edges of my mind, fracturing what's good in the world, become the perfection of geometry and the pureness of colour, as art allows me to put the pieces back together. Shadows are my inspiration.

Sally H. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in life itself. The colors and scenes make for great finds to recreate in glass. The soul knows when something is right and you can feel the feeling of happiness in your soul. When someone is at peace then its time to create>

Judith L. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in everything around me...not only for stained glass, but also fused glass and beadwork and crochet! Most recently, it was a picture of my grandson riding a baby calf, and his expression of pure joy!

Carolyn D. • May 31, 2012

By far, my inspiration comes when I am praising God and viewing nature. Then colors, textures, lighting all comes alive to my senses and I can "see" in my mind how to make projects that reflect the beauty. I am handicapped and am limited on how much I can explore. Yet, there is always something to find when you look at nature! Thankful that God didn't give us a black and white limited scheme to live in!

Amy S. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in just about anything but most recently I found it in a shadow on the floor! I walked into my kitchen the other morning and looked down to see a shadow being cast from the window above my sink. Sitting on the sill are several bottles of different sizes and shapes, and it gave me a great idea for creating a tray with a silhouette design. The "wish books" that come in the mail (yeah, we all get too many of those, right) frequently give me ideas for different color combinations. Also, sometimes when I'm stuck for an idea I'll post a comment to my friends on Facebook and they always come back with some great suggestions. Like I said, just about everywhere!

William J. • May 31, 2012

Inspiration, true inspiration, comes to me often as "on little cat's feet", when one is looking the other way and a sense of urgency comes over me to figure out what this image may turn out to be. At some point I realize it was something from nature, a comment made by a dear friend, or a recently read scripture. Those are the times creation is magical, and I know it was not just me who conceived it.

Kathy L. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in nature. I am an attorney who practices in wind energy work and I have created fused glass pieces with pictures of wind turbines in landscape settings.

Kathy L. • May 31, 2012

I find inspiration in my "real" job and in nature. I am a wind energy attorney and have done several fused glass pieces featuring wind turbines in landscape settings

Roland A. • May 31, 2012

Stained glass is something I took up as a winter activity. I spend much of my free time during the warmer months cruising and racing sailboats on Narragansett Bay. To the delight of my summer friends the boats, nautical flags and lighthouses I have designed are inspired from our time on the water.

Sue F. • May 31, 2012

I like to doodle, draw and paint. Very often, I try to translate my paintings or drawings into stained glass or fused glass designs. I love how the different art mediums can be used together or translated into another work of art.

Tracy R. • May 31, 2012

Growing up, my dad always had a pond on our land. It was one of my favorite places to hang out and explore while growing up. Cattails, dragonfly's and long grasses always make me think of those times and it inspires my designs and ideas.

Dalene B. • May 24, 2012

I love to travel. When I am somewhere new I love to sit and really take time to notice the setting. I want to remember the colors and the feel of their everyday life. I jot down my thoughts in a notebook to help me remember what I liked most about my time there. I have never been anywhere that hasn't inspired me!

Carol L. • May 17, 2012

I love the book Frederick! My very favorite as a child and I still own it and read it now at 48. I love the torn paper illustrations and the concept that artists do have a purpose when it looks like they are just daydreaming and doing nothing.

ABOUT ME

Karina Foster

Karina Foster been at Delphi since 1998. She started in customer service and later transferred to the merchandising department where she currently works to create Delphi catalogs and marketing materials. She is also responsible for Delphi's e-Commerce program. In addition, Karina is a talented glass artist. She has always loved art in any form, and has a self-proclaimed "over-stuffed" home art studio to prove it.

The Delphi Blog