Hi there! How are you? Hope your week is treating you well. As for me, well, I'm a little overwhelmed with creative energy. You see, I just started this amazing online course with Jeanne Oliver called "Studying under the Masters". It's a nine week course with nine different teachers. Each week, we get a new teacher and a new Master to learn from.

This first week has been with Jeanne teaching us about Henri Matisse. It has been an absolute delight!

Back in Art School, we covered Matisse and hundreds of other artists but was I really paying attention? Well... not so much. With so many lectures, dead lines, assignments, critiques and social events (keg parties)... let's just say I didn't absorb as much as I should have. Often, I took being a student for granted.

Now, learning has become precious to me. It wakes me up and makes me feel alive, connected and passionate. That's why I'm hooked on Jeanne's courses.

Oh Matisse, you wonderful man! I didn't know I was so fond of your work till now! He was a master of color, pattern and portraits! I love how he captures a scene, flattens it and layers it with brilliant hues and complex patterns! His faces, sometimes refined and others primitive and simplified. However, his intensity is consistent. His pieces almost vibrate with energy and mood. Truly inspiring!

Studying his work has made me feel free again...to just draw and play and not worry about perfection, perspective, technique. Just create and explore! I can't seem to stop drawing! Even the white board on our fridge is covered in doodles. :) Here are a few of my own little works that I did in my sketchbook...all inspired by Matisse!

More projects to come! So...what artist inspires you?

Have a fantastic Friday.

xo,

Ivy

{all Matisse images via here}