Instagram Hand Lettering Challenge for July

I've been having so much fun participating in hand lettering challenges on Instagram, that I decided to create my own! I'm calling it the #InspiredLetteringChallenge. To kick it off, the first month is filled with inspiring words. I'd love for you to join me! Do them all, or just one - whatever moves you! Use any style of lettering you like - calligraphy, brush lettering, or even iPad lettering! Let me know if you're going to participate by sharing the photo below and tagging me - @angelabishopdesigns. :)

Inspiration

Recently, I was reminded by Patience Brewster, the artist behind these adorable Christmas ornaments, that August is Artist Appreciation Month! I thought I would do a post about who/what inspires my work to celebrate. I have given it a lot of thought over the past several days and come to the conclusion that color is probably my biggest inspiration. I get so excited when I squeeze new paint onto my palette and working with fun colors is almost like a therapeutic experience. 

I not only like to create art, but I love admiring others work as well. I seem to be particularly drawn to loose, colorful watercolors. I have always thought of color, especially in paintings, to be healing in some way. I have been known to soak up the beauty in paintings in galleries and in nature that invoke a positive emotion in me. What I hope to achieve is create works of art that cause others to feel something, like I do when I'm admiring a really beautiful painting or taking in a breathtaking scene. And, in a way, this extends to my quilts and other handmade items as well. I love the way handmade quilts, decorative items, and artwork make a home feel. 

So, in general, I am inspired by color and the beauty around me. If I can put that love into my work in a way that extends to the person admiring it, I have done my job. :)

The Shack

I read this book yesterday (yes in 1 day, because I couldn't put it down) called "The Shack," by William Paul Young. I know it's a very popular book and it's been out for a couple of years, but I just learned of it recently. It was given to me by my Grandmother, who was sure that I had already read it. She told me that it was fiction, and I hesitated on taking it, because I haven't been reading any fiction books lately. Well, after reading "The Science of Getting Rich," by Wallace Wattles, "No Matter What" by Lisa Nichols, "The Passion Test" by Janet and Chris Attwood and "Happy For No Reason" by Marci Shimoff, I yearned for a break from non-fiction (although all those books were terrific). So anyway, I decided to read "The Shack" as my fiction book.

You probably know the plot already.. a man loses his daughter.. she was kidnapped and murdered in this cabin out in the middle of no where. Four years later he gets a letter in the mail inviting him back to that cabin, from God. I don't want to give too much away, if you haven't read it. I just wanted to say that it's an absolute must read book!! If you're a believer, you'll just love it, and if you're not I think it will change your life.

I'm so grateful to my Grandma for giving me this book. It's one that I will treasure, and read again and again. I can say that my life with God is forever changed thanks to this book. It's that good! :)