Inspired by…
The Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA) invited artists to submit work based on an inspiration. They may be inspired by nature, their surroundings, books they read, magazines, movies, television shows, music, travel, emotions, memories, their sketchbook, other artists and their artworks, family members and much more. We are happy to present an online gallery of these submissions. Hover over the image to read the description. If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please contact the DCA at 734-720-0671 or dc4arts@downriverarts.org
Serenity
Artist: Paulette Kasperski
Serenity | $1600 | Acrylic Painting | 30” x 40”
My inspiration to paint this came from a painting I saw years ago in a hotel lobby. I decided to add a little abstract background with a realism look. I also decided to add my daughters face to it. My daughter past away 2 years ago so when I look at it, I think of her.
The Beautiful Mind
Artist: Paulette Kasperski
The Beautiful Mind | $600 | Acrylic Painting | 30” x 40”
I felt inspired to paint this picture after seeing a similar one on TV. I thought it had great colors and a contemporary look.
Lash
Artist: Erica Chappuis
From my sketchbook: Lash | $NFS
“She had been carved as an Angel, in the traditional manner, and fastened snugly to the bowsprit. Her eyes, lips, hands and her full, naked breasts embodied the soul of her ship, went forth before all else, parted the seas before the ship and protected the crew. She was its spirit, but the ship was her body; its sails her true wings, caressed always by the strong and callused hands of the crew…”
And so it begins… the adventure, the relationship of the Feminine to the Sea. In her childhood, Erica Chappuis was regaled with tales of her sea-faring grandfather, so that the very sink in which her father shaved and the little bottle at the side with the ship pictured on it became the images she internalized – the sea on which a man traveled and then returned. Her parents had emigrated from Liverpool – which Carl Jung once called “the pool of life”. It was certainly true in her life from her earliest memories.
Little did she know how deep those sea-faring roots ran. In her family research she discovered a sea captain and many, many sailors. Slowly the development of a vocabulary of the Age of Sail and Woman began to emerge and thus was born the series of paintings that explores these archetypes. In these paintings she explores the sense of adventure so readily available to young men in those days, which in fact defined masculinity and which in her paintings she claims for herself.
Erica Chappuis has exhibited in numerous galleries and received awards. Her artist’s book illustrating Subcomandante Marcos’ story, “The Cave of Desire” is in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C., and also in the Museum of Erotic Art in Barcelona, Spain and the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
Chappuis lives and works on an island between two countries.
From: www.ericachappuis.com
The Sailmaker's Hands
Artist: Erica Chappuis
From my sketchbook: The Sailmaker's Hands | $NFS
“She had been carved as an Angel, in the traditional manner, and fastened snugly to the bowsprit. Her eyes, lips, hands and her full, naked breasts embodied the soul of her ship, went forth before all else, parted the seas before the ship and protected the crew. She was its spirit, but the ship was her body; its sails her true wings, caressed always by the strong and callused hands of the crew…”
And so it begins… the adventure, the relationship of the Feminine to the Sea. In her childhood, Erica Chappuis was regaled with tales of her sea-faring grandfather, so that the very sink in which her father shaved and the little bottle at the side with the ship pictured on it became the images she internalized – the sea on which a man traveled and then returned. Her parents had emigrated from Liverpool – which Carl Jung once called “the pool of life”. It was certainly true in her life from her earliest memories.
Little did she know how deep those sea-faring roots ran. In her family research she discovered a sea captain and many, many sailors. Slowly the development of a vocabulary of the Age of Sail and Woman began to emerge and thus was born the series of paintings that explores these archetypes. In these paintings she explores the sense of adventure so readily available to young men in those days, which in fact defined masculinity and which in her paintings she claims for herself.
Erica Chappuis has exhibited in numerous galleries and received awards. Her artist’s book illustrating Subcomandante Marcos’ story, “The Cave of Desire” is in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C., and also in the Museum of Erotic Art in Barcelona, Spain and the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
Chappuis lives and works on an island between two countries.
From: www.ericachappuis.com
Frugality
Artist: Erica Chappuis
From my sketchbook: Frugality | $NFS
“She had been carved as an Angel, in the traditional manner, and fastened snugly to the bowsprit. Her eyes, lips, hands and her full, naked breasts embodied the soul of her ship, went forth before all else, parted the seas before the ship and protected the crew. She was its spirit, but the ship was her body; its sails her true wings, caressed always by the strong and callused hands of the crew…”
And so it begins… the adventure, the relationship of the Feminine to the Sea. In her childhood, Erica Chappuis was regaled with tales of her sea-faring grandfather, so that the very sink in which her father shaved and the little bottle at the side with the ship pictured on it became the images she internalized – the sea on which a man traveled and then returned. Her parents had emigrated from Liverpool – which Carl Jung once called “the pool of life”. It was certainly true in her life from her earliest memories.
Little did she know how deep those sea-faring roots ran. In her family research she discovered a sea captain and many, many sailors. Slowly the development of a vocabulary of the Age of Sail and Woman began to emerge and thus was born the series of paintings that explores these archetypes. In these paintings she explores the sense of adventure so readily available to young men in those days, which in fact defined masculinity and which in her paintings she claims for herself.
Erica Chappuis has exhibited in numerous galleries and received awards. Her artist’s book illustrating Subcomandante Marcos’ story, “The Cave of Desire” is in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C., and also in the Museum of Erotic Art in Barcelona, Spain and the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
Chappuis lives and works on an island between two countries.
From: www.ericachappuis.com
Spring 2020
Artist: Tim Porter
Spring 2020 | $NFS | Acrylic Painting | 18” x 24”
This piece was inspired by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). As with much of my work I attempt to take a serious subject and treat it with kid gloves. When concepting these works I drill down to one quality or topic that dominates the matter and interpret it without demeaning the severity of the subject.
Dracula Untold
Artist: Tim Porter
Title: Dracula Untold
For a time I was inspired by contests held by the entertainment industry that asked artists to create artwork based on their franchise. This is a digital Illustration done for a contest held by Universal Pictures for the movie Dracula Untold. This is a time lapse process video created in Procreate that took about 9 hours.
Band Leader
Artist: Tim Porter
Title: Band Leader
One of my biggest inspirations are the Illustrators from the golden age of illustration.
This is a process video created in Procreate. A study of an Illustrator from the golden age of Illustration.
I can not find the original reference so I can't name the illustrator.
Artist: Cora Kidd
Strong Woman | $65 | Sculpture
Cora Kidd's hand built sculpture pieces inspired by the coronavirus pandemic includes strength needed during hard times yet hanging onto the simple things we love like peace and nature with a little humor of hoarding toilet paper.
Tree of Love
Artist: Cora Kidd
Tree of Love | $75 | Sculpture
Cora Kidd's hand built sculpture pieces inspired by the coronavirus pandemic includes strength needed during hard times yet hanging onto the simple things we love like peace and nature with a little humor of hoarding toilet paper.
Get a Grip
Artist: Cora Kidd
Get a Grip | $100 | Sculpture
Cora Kidd's hand built sculpture pieces inspired by the coronavirus pandemic includes strength needed during hard times yet hanging onto the simple things we love like peace and nature with a little humor of hoarding toilet paper.
Hoarding
Artist: Cora Kidd
Hoarding | $35 | Sculpture
Cora Kidd's hand built sculpture pieces inspired by the coronavirus pandemic includes strength needed during hard times yet hanging onto the simple things we love like peace and nature with a little humor of hoarding toilet paper.
Mary's Room
Artist: Sylvia Bandyke
Mary’s Room | $40 | unframed 12” x 12” print | collage with flower sketch and floral motif
I typically keep an eye open for interesting reflections, light patterns, views of a subject while trying to find hidden beauty in everyday life. I like using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is more compelling due to the embedded story. Displayed in Grand Rapids, MI ArtPrize event in ’14 –‘18. As a member of Artists’ Society of Dearborn (MI), exhibited in juried ASD Spring ‘18/‘19 shows (won 1st in photography in '19). In ‘18/’19/’20 displayed locally in juried exhibitions of the Dearborn Community Arts Council (won honorable mention in ’20), Muskegon Museum of Art, City of Livonia, Detroit Scarab Club, Midland Center for the Arts, Northville Art House & Three Cities Art Club. In ‘19 was also included in national juried exhibits at galleries in MA, CT, VA, WA, OR, IL, NC, CO, NY & in online international juried exhibitions of Linus Galleries, APERO Catalogue and Light Space & Time Art Gallery. Now in ’20 juried into shows in TX, MS, MN, CA, KS, FL.
My Facebook page is: https://facebook.com/bandykephotocollage/.
How Does Your Garden Grow
Artist: Sylvia Bandyke
How Does Your Garden Grow| $40 | unframed 12” x 12” print | collage with bold abstract bursts of color
I typically keep an eye open for interesting reflections, light patterns, views of a subject while trying to find hidden beauty in everyday life. I like using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is more compelling due to the embedded story. Displayed in Grand Rapids, MI ArtPrize event in ’14 –‘18. As a member of Artists’ Society of Dearborn (MI), exhibited in juried ASD Spring ‘18/‘19 shows (won 1st in photography in '19). In ‘18/’19/’20 displayed locally in juried exhibitions of the Dearborn Community Arts Council (won honorable mention in ’20), Muskegon Museum of Art, City of Livonia, Detroit Scarab Club, Midland Center for the Arts, Northville Art House & Three Cities Art Club. In ‘19 was also included in national juried exhibits at galleries in MA, CT, VA, WA, OR, IL, NC, CO, NY & in online international juried exhibitions of Linus Galleries, APERO Catalogue and Light Space & Time Art Gallery. Now in ’20 juried into shows in TX, MS, MN, CA, KS, FL.
My Facebook page is: https://facebook.com/bandykephotocollage/.
Home Birthday
Artist: Sylvia Bandyke
Home Birthday | $40 | unframed 12” x 12” print | collage with sunlight illuminating bouquet of flowers
I typically keep an eye open for interesting reflections, light patterns, views of a subject while trying to find hidden beauty in everyday life. I like using the collage format to integrate associated images into a cohesive unit that is more compelling due to the embedded story. Displayed in Grand Rapids, MI ArtPrize event in ’14 –‘18. As a member of Artists’ Society of Dearborn (MI), exhibited in juried ASD Spring ‘18/‘19 shows (won 1st in photography in '19). In ‘18/’19/’20 displayed locally in juried exhibitions of the Dearborn Community Arts Council (won honorable mention in ’20), Muskegon Museum of Art, City of Livonia, Detroit Scarab Club, Midland Center for the Arts, Northville Art House & Three Cities Art Club. In ‘19 was also included in national juried exhibits at galleries in MA, CT, VA, WA, OR, IL, NC, CO, NY & in online international juried exhibitions of Linus Galleries, APERO Catalogue and Light Space & Time Art Gallery. Now in ’20 juried into shows in TX, MS, MN, CA, KS, FL.
My Facebook page is: https://facebook.com/bandykephotocollage/.
Peek-A-Boo
Artist: Richard Godette
Peek-A-Boo | $200 | Oil and Acrylic Painting | Inspired by my cat who likes to eat flowers and play with them
I am a 83 year old artist, published poet, and songwriter. I started oil painting in1959, while recovering from a ski accident. I was nominated for Poet of the Year in 1995, published” Changing Times” in 1996 and wrote the wedding songs for my 3 children in the 2000’s.
Technically, I’m a retired Chemical Engineer from BASF and the Detrex Chemical Corp. With my degree from Tri-State College, I also have majors in Math, Chemistry, as well as Chemical Engineering.
Prior to going to college, I worked for a paint company for 8 years, as a lab tester and color match er, making new colors for businesses and the auto industry. It was there I learned to appreciate color and it’s value and learned of the great master of painting and how their work inspired the world.
Although my latest works have been mostly floral arrangements, using various back grounds to portray the subject, I also do landscapes, and pencil portraits all from photos.
Midnight Meadows
Artist: Richard Godette
Midnight Meadows | $185 | Oil and Acrylic Painting | Inspired by a Dream
I am a 83 year old artist, published poet, and songwriter. I started oil painting in1959, while recovering from a ski accident. I was nominated for Poet of the Year in 1995, published” Changing Times” in 1996 and wrote the wedding songs for my 3 children in the 2000’s.
Technically, I’m a retired Chemical Engineer from BASF and the Detrex Chemical Corp. With my degree from Tri-State College, I also have majors in Math, Chemistry, as well as Chemical Engineering.
Prior to going to college, I worked for a paint company for 8 years, as a lab tester and color match er, making new colors for businesses and the auto industry. It was there I learned to appreciate color and it’s value and learned of the great master of painting and how their work inspired the world.
Although my latest works have been mostly floral arrangements, using various back grounds to portray the subject, I also do landscapes, and pencil portraits all from photos.
Roses and Lace
Artist: Richard Godette
Roses and Lace | $200 | Oil and Acrylic Painting | Inspired by another painting I did of Poppies and Lace
I am a 83 year old artist, published poet, and songwriter. I started oil painting in1959, while recovering from a ski accident. I was nominated for Poet of the Year in 1995, published” Changing Times” in 1996 and wrote the wedding songs for my 3 children in the 2000’s.
Technically, I’m a retired Chemical Engineer from BASF and the Detrex Chemical Corp. With my degree from Tri-State College, I also have majors in Math, Chemistry, as well as Chemical Engineering.
Prior to going to college, I worked for a paint company for 8 years, as a lab tester and color match er, making new colors for businesses and the auto industry. It was there I learned to appreciate color and it’s value and learned of the great master of painting and how their work inspired the world.
Although my latest works have been mostly floral arrangements, using various back grounds to portray the subject, I also do landscapes, and pencil portraits all from photos.
Magnolia Inner Beauty
Artist: Mary Jo Caruana
Magnolia Inner Beauty | $70 | Photography | 11” x 14”
I enjoy taking photographs of flowers showing their true beauty up close. Mother nature has a lot to offer. I hope viewing my photographs puts a smile on someone’s face and makes their day a little brighter. You can view my work at www.facebook.com/MJCreationsandPhotography
Hello Sunshine
Artist: Mary Jo Caruana
Hello Sunshine | $70 | Photography | 11” x 14”
I enjoy taking photographs of flowers showing their true beauty up close. Mother nature has a lot to offer. I hope viewing my photographs puts a smile on someone’s face and makes their day a little brighter. You can view my work at www.facebook.com/MJCreationsandPhotography
Flowers in a Vase
Artist: Mary Jo Caruana
Flowers in a Vase | $70 | Photography | 11” x 14”
I enjoy taking photographs of flowers showing their true beauty up close. Mother nature has a lot to offer. I hope viewing my photographs puts a smile on someone’s face and makes their day a little brighter. You can view my work at www.facebook.com/MJCreationsandPhotography
Best Friends
Artist: Joanne Cole
Best Friends | $400 | Oil on canvas | 20” x 20”
I am inspired by horses. By both their physical beauty and their unique "old soul" personalities. I find them compelling either as wild horses or as domesticated highly trained athletes.
I obtained my Bachelors of Fine Art from Wayne State University along with taking multiple classes at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. However my focus and major was not painting. I began painting in 2018 as a way to release my creative energy, I have not stopped painting since. I find the medium hugely challenging. I continue to learn daily and imagine that all I can learn is but a beginning.
Painted Morning
Artist: Joanne Cole
Painted Morning | $400 | Oil on canvas | 20” x 20”
I am inspired by horses. By both their physical beauty and their unique "old soul" personalities. I find them compelling either as wild horses or as domesticated highly trained athletes.
I obtained my Bachelors of Fine Art from Wayne State University along with taking multiple classes at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. However my focus and major was not painting. I began painting in 2018 as a way to release my creative energy, I have not stopped painting since. I find the medium hugely challenging. I continue to learn daily and imagine that all I can learn is but a beginning.
You’re not my Momma
Artist: Joanne Cole
You’re not my Momma | $660 | Oil on canvas | 20” x 20”
I am inspired by horses. By both their physical beauty and their unique "old soul" personalities. I find them compelling either as wild horses or as domesticated highly trained athletes.
I obtained my Bachelors of Fine Art from Wayne State University along with taking multiple classes at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. However my focus and major was not painting. I began painting in 2018 as a way to release my creative energy, I have not stopped painting since. I find the medium hugely challenging. I continue to learn daily and imagine that all I can learn is but a beginning.
Jersey Shore
Artist: Katrina Reimel
Jersey Shore | $350 | Mixed Media-Paper and Acrylic on Canvas | 14” x 18”
Jersey Shore was inspired by a photograph I took on Toms River in New Jersey.
Title: Have Mercy on the Whole World
Artist: Katrina Reimel
Title: Have Mercy on the Whole World | $350 | Mixed Media-Paper and Acrylic on Canvas | 12” x 18”
Have Mercy on the Whole World was inspired by the culmination of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Easter season and a dream I had back in September of 2019 and obviously my Christian beliefs.
Jerry’s Tree of Love
Artist: Katrina Reimel
Title: Jerry’s Tree of Love | $200| Mixed Media-Fabric and Watercolor Pencil, matted and Framed | 15.5” x 18.5”
Jerry’s Tree is a tribute to all the fathers who love and provide for their wives and their children in good times and in the rough times. Love will prevail.
-Thank you Dad
Times up Reaper
Artist: Cheryl Zemke
Title: Times up Reaper | $225 | Acrylic
Inspired by Covid-19.
Seeds of Love
Artist: Cheryl Zemke
Title: Seeds of Love | $250 | Acrylic with mixed media
Inspired by my grandmother.
Beginning of Memory
Artist: Cheryl Zemke
Title: Beginning of Memory | $350 | Acrylic on canvas, fiber art
Detroit vintage window frame
Inspired by Laurie Anderson poem of same name.
1847
Artist: Karen Monroe
1847 | $64 | Mixed media; Collage and crackled paint technique recreates this 2-drawer 1847 Rogers Bros Silverware Chest
I have long had a passion for everyday items from the past. Combining found vintage pieces with mixed media techniques, I create something that is new and usable or an expression of something I hope will inspire others.
Homily
Artist: Karen Monroe
Homily | $32 | Mixed media: Paper collage with emphemera, stamping, vintage beeswax embossing, painted found wooden frame. (Approx size 8x8 hangs or sits on table)
I have long had a passion for everyday items from the past. Combining found vintage pieces with mixed media techniques, I create something that is new and usable or an expression of something I hope will inspire others.
Angelica
Artist: Karen Monroe
Angelica | $44 | Mixed Media, Assemblage w Vintage frame, recycled ribbon
I have long had a passion for everyday items from the past. Combining found vintage pieces with mixed media techniques, I create something that is new and usable or an expression of something I hope will inspire others.
“Bring Me My Memories” 1
Artist: Erin Davis
“Bring Me My Memories” 1 | $NFS | 8”x 16” mixed media/digital
Spread out of an excerpt I wrote and illustrated.
“Bring Me My Memories” 2
Artist: Erin Davis
“Bring Me My Memories” 2 | $NFS | 8”x 16” mixed media/digital
Spread out of an excerpt I wrote and illustrated.
“Bring Me My Memories” 3
Artist: Erin Davis
“Bring Me My Memories” 3 | $NFS | 8”x 16” mixed media/digital
Spread out of an excerpt I wrote and illustrated.
Acadia, Maine
Artist: Martine MacDonald
Acadia, Maine (This is the view from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in Acadia)
oil on canvas, $1800
My inspiration is the sky and clouds; I call the series "American Skyscapes" . Here's a little something I wrote back in the day:
“American Skyscapes” is homage to the diversity of the geography of the United States; the skies serve as a reminder that we are bound together by something larger than our borders. Setting the horizons low on the canvas allow the skies to dominant the paintings and the versatility of oil paints allows for luscious blending and luminosity."
The Calm That Comes Before
The Calm That Comes Before (This painting is about a storm brewing over Lake Superior0
oil on canvas, $1200
My inspiration is the sky and clouds; I call the series "American Skyscapes" . Here's a little something I wrote back in the day:
“American Skyscapes” is homage to the diversity of the geography of the United States; the skies serve as a reminder that we are bound together by something larger than our borders. Setting the horizons low on the canvas allow the skies to dominant the paintings and the versatility of oil paints allows for luscious blending and luminosity."
Promise
Promise (This painting is the sky over Texas. Is Promise implied a passing storm, or is it the promise of a needed rainfall finally arriving on the dusty plains? The viewer gets to decide)
oil on canvas, $1200
My inspiration is the sky and clouds; I call the series "American Skyscapes" . Here's a little something I wrote back in the day:
“American Skyscapes” is homage to the diversity of the geography of the United States; the skies serve as a reminder that we are bound together by something larger than our borders. Setting the horizons low on the canvas allow the skies to dominant the paintings and the versatility of oil paints allows for luscious blending and luminosity."