Friday, August 21, 2009

Where Do You Find Inspiration for Your Art?


My most rewarding moment as an artist happened today. My art gave a woman goosebumps.

I was working in the gallery we are part of (Arts of Snohomish), when a customer came in. She wandered around, then stopped in front of our display--she didn't know it had my art in it. She called out to me, "This fused glass reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright."


I was so excited, I ran over there and said, "I made that." She replied, "Look at my arms. You've given me goosebumps!"

She told me she lives near Phoenix and the Biltmore Hotel there has a huge free-standing glass piece made by Wright that my piece resembled. I had never seen the Wright glass, but I have been a fan of his since reading The Fountainhead and discovering he was the inspiration for the protagonist. When Martin and I were in Phoenix, in fact, I tried to get him to take me to Taliesin West, Wright's winter home, but we didn't have time for it. This woman, Jane, told me she designed her home to resemble a Wright home, and she has a replica of the Biltmore Hotel piece of her own.

We chatted on and on about Frank Lloyd Wright and his style. She gave me her phone number and told me to call her when I'm next in Phoenix. Which I will definitely do. I hope she invites me to see her home. At the least, she and I can have high tea at the Biltmore and admire Wright's piece. What a wonderful day for me!