Where Do You Go to Get Inspired?

My family and I took a week vacation out west this summer. Despite having lived in Utah for a while as a kid, the landscape (and dry climate) were exotic compared to the fertile green fields back home in Iowa. It was stunning to see: jagged red and tan mountains rising up in the distance; orange, shrub-flecked sand dunes for miles; and deep gorges and cracks cut into the earth’s surface. It often felt like we were visiting another planet!

As an artist, it was, of course, a great inspiration. While our black midwestern dirt smells like life and growth, we have nothing on the streaking layers of bright reds, whites, and purples that can be seen running through the cliffs out west. I took a lot of photos, but I imagine it would be a plein air painter’s dream (if they could find a spot of shade, that is!)

Are you familiar with plein air painting? It’s French for “out of doors” or “in the open air.” Basically, a term for creating artwork on-site, outside, from life – as opposed to working inside a studio. If you are interested in learning more about plein air, Iowa Artists has had a number of workshops in the past for Members to join. There was even an urban sketching group formed recently, because not all plein air needs to be an oil painting of a craggy tree next to a babbling brook (although I do love that subject!) You can use any medium you want, really. 

I’ve lived in Iowa less than ten years and at this point am much more familiar with the western half of the state, where I live and work. I know there are caves on the eastern side that I desperately want to experience but haven’t gotten the chance to yet. While we may not have 10,000+ feet mountains, we have a lush landscape, full of life. The shades of green that surround us, particularly in the summertime, are incredible to behold. We have beautiful perennial flowers and tall, majestic trees. All these things and more make Iowa an artistically inspiring place to live, regardless of your Region. Add in a healthy sprinkling of local art galleries and creative studios, and you’re bound to get inspired here…. even if it’s just by the view right outside your front door.

Have you checked out our workshops? Many of them are free (or low-cost) to Iowa Artists Members to attend. Keep an eye on our Iowa Artists Artworks (active Members only) Facebook Group for more plein air art opportunities (and more!)