"Fly"- Artist Tricia McKellar

"Fly" is a photograph taken by Etsy artist Tricia Mckellar. I was browsing Flickr yesterday and in a serendipitous moment happened upon her work. I absolutely love it. Yes- it's birds and anyone who's seen my work knows I have an affinity for birds. But that actually developed from my love of flight. More explicitly my love for observing flight. The toss of a paper airplane, the drift of a feather in the wind, a kite in early march. I love to see things fly. My favorite made up image of daVinci is to think of him standing outside, sketchbook in hand, watching the flight of birds. How this scientist/artist must have wondered at them. The beauty and the impossibility of something soaring through air. Gliding, being held aloft by an unseen breeze.

Tricia actually seems to capture that entranced moment of wonder. By focusing on the birds and limiting the elements in her photos she mimics the ultraconcetration we experience watching something that fascinates us. Just birds and the telephone pole in that great and glorious sky. No nearby tree or home. No other point of reference no other distractions. She has created an entire series of moments like these. Entitled with single words like "beginning", "departure", and "wanderlust". They all eloquently capture a moment in one beautiful, simple shot. I am very grateful she has allowed me to share her work with you- it's all so lovely. To see the other photos I mentioned, visit her shop on Etsy- www.eyeful.etsy com.

A New Creation

So I wasn't going to post tonight but when I checked my e-mail I found this gorgeous little piece of art waiting for me. It's a sample from my friend Shelley's Spring '09 collection and is a new style for her. But chatting with her she says it is more of an expression of her personal style then anything she's done yet. I absolutely love it. She's also been sweet enough to say that the constructed piece I created partially inspired the first piece she did in this style. Which ties in wonderfully enough to something I heard in church this morning. The pastor told the story of the man who penned Amazing Grace. He was captain of a slave ship and saw nothing wrong with his life until one night. That night there was a storm and he cried out to God. God listened and this man changed his life. Later, this man's story inspired someone else who became a powerful advocate for the abolition of slavery in America.

Stories are powerful. Art too can be powerful. The connection is inspiration. When we are inspired by something, or someone we are moved to action in response. Our reaction can result in something new and beautiful or something great, that in turn might inspire someone else. It's a natural, internalized reaction that has its root in our Great Creator God. Our ability to be inspired and to react to this inspiration with the creation of something else is one of the ways God created us to be like Him. Shelley had no idea that her response to my work would inspire me to make this connection, or to share with you this idea, but isn't that one of the most surprising and wonderful things about this life? Maybe reading this and seeing her work will inspire one of you, the readers. Maybe this is the beginning of a chain of loveliness and creation that spans the globe. My little piece was just a little piece, but who knows- this whisper could one day become the shout of someone else. Every bit of creation becomes extremely valuable in this light.

So take a look, be inspired and maybe it will motivate you to create a work, a thought, or a writing that will then continue on as an inspiration to someone else.