Sources of Inspiration–The Art of A Matter of Chance
As anyone who has read A Matter of Chance knows, Elizabeth Gardiner (Bennet) is an artist–a watercolour artist to be specific. So, why did I pick watercolour and whose art did I use as inspiration when I described her work? Honestly, I used my own.
It was easiest as she painted to describe how I might go about creating one of my paintings. My watercolours aren’t typical of the medium by any means, but I enjoy them and my watercolour instructor often praised my work whether I used a typical watercolour style or my own darker one.
When Darcy attends Lizzy’s show, we know his internal impressions of Lizzy’s work. Those were from a description of my watercolour instructor used for a still life I had to paint early in her first class. It was a simple monochromatic arrangement, but I was always happy with how it turned out–especially the wine bottle! It had been years since I had really painted and I was so excited to be doing it again. That semester, I had to paint several compositions dictated by the instructor, but I discovered when I tried the landscape that I was better at it than I thought. I assumed it would be terrible (I’m not completely happy with all of the background, but I was really happy with most of it). Then, we were allowed to finish the class with two paintings from any genre, and I chose landscapes for those as well. This was how I discovered that I enjoyed painting landscapes, which is why Lizzy enjoys landscapes.
I wish I could say that I’ve painted Chatsworth as I had Lizzy paint Pemberley. I did start one, but it wasn’t working. I have yet to attempt it again. Instead, I have mostly painted scenes involving water and usually at sunrise or sunset. I enjoy the effect of the lack of light on the scene–much like the Impressionists.
Bay
The cover of A Matter of Chance is one of mine as well, along with my palette and paintbrushes. The scene is from a picture of the beach in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. I do not know if it is sunrise or sunset, but I adored the picture and wanted to paint it. It’s one of my favourite works so far.
When I have the time to break out my palette, add a bit of water to the dried pigments already there and add a few dabs of new paint, I can lose myself for a period of time. Music is almost essential but it’s one of the most relaxing things I can do. I love it! It’s even better when I can combine it with my writing!
This was the last landscape I finished while pursuing my art degree. It’s one of my other favourites!
Do you have a favourite artist? Degas, Botticelli, DaVinci, Van Gogh?
