Time Out

It is vital for one's well being to take time out for fun and new vistas to spark inspiration for creativity.

I just returned from spending time in Whistler, British Columbia, skiing with my good friend, Elaine. Our last day of skiing was absolutely STELLAR! I must share some images of sunshine, new snow, and mountain vistas.

This is the morning view from our window. You can see the snow line and shadow of the mountains behind us as the sun was rising.




I did get a few runs in the fresh powder and can appreciate the tracks down the mountainside off one of the many peaks.


The view from the top of Whistler Mountain.


Here is my friend imitating the Whistler-Blackcomb insignia.


How did she do?


This is my favorite photo of the Whistler-Blackcomb insignia which my son and I took a few years back.



Whistler is one of my favorite places for renewal and inspiration.

And outstanding place to ski!

Artist In All of Us

There are sparks of inspiration all around us - all we have to do is look.

Each day brings something new, exciting and inspiring. As artists, we have to train our minds and feel in our hearts to see these things. Lighting, color, emotion, drama - all these things add to the excitement of being an artist.

An artist will create from this place of joy.

Next time when you feel this spark of inspiration, take a paint brush in hand and paint from your heart with happiness.

Remember, DO NOT allow the inner-critic any air time.



Penny Soto
The Rose

Penny definitely captures light, color, emotion, and drama in her painting.

Waiting for Inspiration

Wikipedia defines artistic inspiration as sudden creativity in artistic production.

Where does inspiration come from?

Today I was hoping inspiration would show up if I went into my studio. I did not know what to paint? I sat at my drafting table where I create my watercolor paintings and waited. Do I create a collage or a more traditional watercolor painting? What is the subject?

My discipline is to paint at least twenty minutes a day. I felt frustrated, yet compelled to put paint to paper. Many times when I am emotional or wanting to make some connection with Self, I paint a mandala; a Sanskrit word meaning holy or magical circle. Basically, I paint inside a circle which becomes a meditation. Maybe if my mind were quiet, inspiration would find me.

Being an art therapist, I am always asking myself the significance of the images which appear. Today it was a duck with something, figurative-like, on its back. I painted playfully and wondered.

I am beginning to believe that there is a process to spark the creativity whereby inspiration visits. It comes from engaging in art. As the saying goes, "just do it!"