One’s influences as an artist and a creative person can be varied and mercurial, can’t they? Poetry, literature, art, people, places and, of course, the abundant wonders of nature. I’m often asked about my sources of inspiration so I thought I’d share one with you today, if that’s alright?
A few months ago, I was perusing the February 1996 issue and my eye fell upon an article showing the work of pottery artist Lark Roderigues. I had always remembered this photograph of these beautiful pottery hearts:
We are so lucky to have the tremendous communication facilities that we do, aren’t we? I decided to see if I could find Lark, and, with a quick Google search, I did!
I wrote to her via her website and, what a thrill, got a lovely email back! She is still making her heavenly pottery in her idyllic home and garden in Rhode Island. And she has an Etsy shop!
Well, imagine what a treat it was, after all these years, to acquire two of her charming botanic hearts, one with a pansy and one with forget me nots!
Such attention to detail and her obvious love and celebration of nature make her work so outstanding and memorable.
Lark is also featured in the current issue of Romantic Country magazine, so you can learn more about her there, too.
I’m so happy to be able to share her work here – I hope you have enjoyed it and enjoy visiting her as well. (I have a very full list of other fabulous artists I’d love to introduce you to, and soon, I plan to be able to devote more time to that.)
♥Hearts and Hugs and many thanks for stopping by! ♥
xo
– g
I'm so happy to have read in your post of your love for all the old Victoria magazines. I too have a collection of the old ones, and learned a lesson the hard way. Don't store them in a cardboard box in the bottom of your closet. When we had a small flood in our house, the magazines were soaked from the bottom up, and I lost one box full, but I was lucky when a friend said she was ready to part with hers and I inherited almost all that I lost. I'm happy that you connected me with Nancy's blog and I'll be watching her blog, along with yours, of course, in the days to come.
Debi
Hi Debi!
Thank you so much! I'm really pleased you liked this post and I'm happy you got your Victoria's back. You know, they are often available on eBay and I've filled in some of the holes in my collection from there. I love your blog, too – seeing current news of lovely London – my favorite city! Have a wonderful week. – g
Such beautiful works of art! I shall check her out. You know, now that I think of it, I haven't picked up Victoria in some months. I'm going to see if there's any at the grocery on Saturday when I shop.
Brenda
i remember when victoria magazine first came out in the 80's. oh, how i loved them. i would grab my magazine from the mailbox, squirrel away to a quiet chair by a window when no one else was around and i made sure i had plenty of time to sit and enjoy with no interruptions. i loved it so…
i had a subscription when it came back a couple of years ago but let it lapse about a year and a half ago when my husband's job security was in question. he did lose his job but recently got another one. it's not as much salary so money is tight but every once in a while, i will pick one up at the bookstore. it is heaven, such beautiful images. lark's work is stunning. i love it. the perfect product for a perfect magazine…..
cindy :D
Victoria is still my favourite source of inspiration … I remember pouring over the photos when I was in design school and wanting to recreate those vignettes. Every month I bring my old issues out and try to look through as many as possible.
Lark's pottery is beautiful! I'm off to take a look at her Etsy shop.
xo,
Lynda
wow, she makes such beautiful pieces of art!! i can totally see this inspiration in your photos too georgianna! i think that nature, friends and family influence my creative endeavors!
I clearly see this magazine's influence in your work…and you are more talented than you can imagine….smiles.
Victoria: What a beautiful magazine! Thank you for sharing one of your influences. And thank you for introducing Lark. What lovely pieces! :)
Victoria magazines along with Veranda are the only magazines I save and go back to time and time again.
Lark's beautiful ceramics are an inspiration. Thank you Georgianna for this wonderful post.
Isn't it terrible that I've never heard of Victoria Magazine… But I love those pretty pottery items, they are beautiful. Thanks for introducing me to them. C x
It's so nice to see the things that influence you and your gorgeous works of art. I always find it fascinating to learn about what influences others. I also love how you found Lark and purchased some of her pottery and then shared some information about her. That's so neat and very special. Have a beautiful day dear friend.
Really beautiful…this wonderful pottery…;)…and thanks so much for your lovley comment on our blog. Hopefully you had a wonderful easter time, too. Today is my first day online and i´m so impressed about your amazing inspirations. Thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful person and i´m so glad to meet you…;)…Have a great creative week…until then…
Thank you so much, my friends. :) xo
Fascinating post G. I have heard of Victoria magazine. An artist I
like and followed for a long time had a collumn in it for a while, she is named Sarah Lugg and was artist in residence for them for a year.
Unfortunatley she seems to have stopped producing work and I can't find anything about her (current info)on the web.
I'm so glad your trail for Lark came up with such goodies.
The second heart with forget me knots is my favourite – I'll definately have to go to her etsy shop soon
love kat xox
Oh my those are really gorgeous art work! Your gorgeous goegous photos do have this victorian feel in them. Thanks for sharing Lark's art work with us! Have a lovely merry happy week and lots of love to you!
p/s: Thank you so much for your kind words on my photos…it means the world to me coming from you. :) *hugz*
Thank you so much for introducing me to Lark's beautiful work. This post was full of great information and I will follow some of the links. I'm so glad I stopped by today….your blog is so beautiful, peaceful, and a lovely place to be!
Thank you, friends!
Kathryn, I will see what extra Victoria mags I have and send you some. They are really timeless.
Jacqueline – you're so welcome! I love the spunk and spirit in your blog.
Thank you very much, Mitzi. I hope you can take away some moments of serenity. We all need them from time to time!
xo – g
I found the very first issue of Victoria when we were on a camping trip with our two young children. We stopped at a country store, and there it was. I read every word in it – I had never seen such a lovely magazine! and got a subscription soon after. I've saved nearly every issue, and look at them often for inspiration.
How delightful after all these years that you were finally able to have one of these pretty hearts :) And my are they pretty! I really love the forget-me-not one, they are my favourite flowers. I've never seen Victoria magazine before, but it looks like a treasure trove for a creative soul like you G xx
Kindreds. Yes, we are. I have every issue of Victoria magazine, but two. On my bookshelf right now is Nancy Lindemeyer's newest book. Kindreds. I'm so glad I found you.