new Perspectives

Have you heard the saying "bug's-eye view"? Go ahead and Google it! You'll find that it’s a term used to describe viewing a subject from below or up close, like how a bug might see the world. It’s actually a photography term, and yes, us fine artists love that perspective too.

I have been inspired this past year by walks in the garden with my granddaughter. She will point out a flower and say, “Oh ReeRee, look at that flower!” Then she’ll squat down and admire the tiniest yellow bloom. What really amazes me is how long she stays in that position, completely focused on every little detail—the petals, the stem, everything. It is like she is taking the whole world from a bug’s-eye view.

Molly’s really good at slowing down to notice the smallest things. And I love how she has shown me the joy in looking at things from a different perspective. I like thinking about it from the perspective of a tiny bug looking up at something that is small to me. To the bug, that little piece of flower is a beautiful world all on its own—shapes, colors, and textures in a way we might not normally see.

Last year, I got kind of stuck. I felt like I was creating good paintings, but I was not feeling passionate about them. So, I took an abstract painting class. I wasn’t really looking to change what I do, but I was looking for a different perspective. That class was perfect. The artist who led the class talked a lot about perspective. She was big into cropping, and then cropping again, until the image became about the shapes and colors, not about the subject. Did I come home and start re-creating my practice? No, but I did start seeking different ways to look at things. Both this teacher and my granddaughter pointed me in a new direction.

Now that spring is upon us and new growth is appearing, it seems like the time to celebrate new perspectives. I love spring! I love all the new things that come from seeds and branches that were here before. I love the idea that old things can re-grow, change, and become better. So here’s to new perspectives—growth, and learning from those around us.

All winter, I painted tiny paintings from a new perspective. I used ideas from the class I took and from watching Molly. Exploring new ways to look at something I have been observing for a long time has been like spring to me. I feel new growth, new inspiration, new color palettes, and new brush strokes—all being added to my garden of creativity. That’s exactly what I have been capturing in my new work too—a fresh perspective on a subject I already love.

I hope you enjoy these little compositions that represent big growth. I hope this spring inspires you to look for new perspectives.