The upcoming one woman clay show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Lake Okoboji, Iowa has been taking up the majority of the working time in and around the studio. I thought I would share with you a little bit about my inspirations for "Flow."

"Flow" is a creative process and, in many ways, it is also my inspiration. The things I see in everyday life are absorbed into my soul, interpreted and flow back into my art.

Some of my active sources of inspiration for "Flow" are water forms that I have seen in the ocean; in creeks and in my beloved Lake Erie which I get to watch almost daily from my cottage.

On the days that the lake is kicking up I can hear symphonies in my mind as the waves hit the cliffs with the drama and force of booming rhythmic drums. I love to capture and suspend that action of those waves.

On the quiet days I am inspired by the fish I see sneaking up the creek to their spawning beds. The creeks sing their unique song as they flow and trickle against their rocks. I love the birds that call and circle overhead. I spend a lot of time thinking about the interconnectedness of nature in my life. I am an environmentalist to the depths of my soul and it shows in my work.

My abstract work comes from a different place. It is a response to the man made structures I observe. Sometimes on my rides past the decaying rust belt outside Buffalo I see inspiration of a totally different kind. Artists often gravitate to being influenced either by the mountains and nature that they contain or to the man made structures in their life. I like to let each in and watch it flow through my creative channels.

While creating work for Flow I stumbled onto this quote by Lao Tsu that really says it all for me. "Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force" Lao Tsu

There are many pieces of "Flow" in the gallery. Come visit and take one home with you.