My ‘Inspired By’ posts began as a way to explore what makes me tick as an artist, what I’m drawn to, what makes my heart sing, what I might want to try out in terms of marks or colour combinations or compositions. They are also a way for me to share the work of artists whose work I love. I don’t advocate copying other artists instead of making our own work, however inspiring they are to us, but I do believe that we can learn from each other on our solitary artist journeys. This website is dedicated to the philosophy that you have a significant and unique offering inside you, waiting to be released. I created a course to help you with this very thing, which you can find by clicking here. May you be inspired to bring forth what’s within you!

I’ve been privately gorging on Christine Peloquin’s work for some weeks now. My ongoing interest in the face and body as parts of a painting is reflected clearly in her beautiful work. Also the way she uses fabric and collage as the base of each painting mirrors my own love of this kind of mixed media.

This video is a fascinating look at her process and style. I was mesmerised and deeply inspired.

In her words {my emphasis}:

“My intention is to weave an autobiographical tapestry invoking and addressing universal issues such as philosophy, spirituality, sexuality, motherhood and self-awareness.  Most of the titles come from appropriate words found in the collage. I believe that art and life is always about becoming more conscious, more aware, and more of yourself. For me, this includes life as an artist, a woman and a mother.”

I love the painting above, in particular since I learned its title: ‘Be What You Already Are’. Incredible capturing of the facial expressions too; the mask looks sad and wistful, but the real face looks serene, content and beautiful.

I was interested to note in the video that Christine talks about a recent move in her work away from the brighter, primary colours to a softer, lighter palette, something that I have noticed in my own work recently and heard others mention too.

Another element I love is the size of some of her paintings. She works from very small right up to enormous, and it’s the huge paintings, often segmented into squares, that really spark my inspiration.

Christine creates abstract paintings as well as figurative and portrait, which really allow the patterns and textures of the textiles and collage she uses to come through.

Christine has an Etsy shop and a Facebook page, and can also be found on Pinterest.

She has made what looks like a beautiful book of her paintings too.