Glass Inspiration

I know it doesn't look like these photos go together, but it is a small number of some of my inspirational photos.  Some photos are sent to me by friends and customers who are describing something they'd like for me to consider.  For example, the bottom photo with the hot air balloons.  My customer liked the colors and horizon and thought it might be cool for me to do with one of my scenic bear beads.

And isn't the eye mesmerizing on the horse?  I'm thinking this one goes on a deeper color background and the eye might need to be made from murrine.  And its two tones muzzle area keeps it from looking like a horn-less unicorn.  I think it could be too pretty  without it.

The dogs- well the Iditarod is coming up and I want to make beads to donate for the race.  The mushers and some of the crew carry them in the race, and then copies are auctioned off to raise funds for Beads of Courage.  I'm still debating about what I'd like to make for that race.  Haven't decided on the design yet.

And so it goes... you can see how such disparate photos can provide angles, colors, shading and wonderful inspiration for other art.  Of course, none of mine would look like the photo, but seeing nature in its beauty provides a fantastic jumping off point for more research and reflection on how I would like to interpret that particular item.

ps  Isn't that lion magnificent?  I love how it appears he is enjoying the warmth of the sun and focuses on his magnificent mane.  The highlights and shadows are superb. However, that angle interpreted in glass is a bit too high.  I think the head down a touch would show more of his eye, which for me is  an important element in a face when I'm working in glass.

I have an online trunk show this week. Click here for more information.  See you next week and I'll give you the recap.