INSPIRATION

The French painter Henri Matisse, one day, was talking about his vocation

When he was asked the question, “Henri, what is your inspiration?”

 

Matisse walked the questioner out to his garden and said, “I grow artichokes!

You see, I never know from day to day the feelings they’ll evoke.”

 

“I watch the interplay of light and shade, how gently they interweave

I discover new combinations of colors and diverse patterns in the leaves.”

 

“The colors may be warm or bright or perhaps they’re subtle and faint

I look to these artichokes for inspiration then I go inside and paint.”

 

Proof that inspiration need not be found in rare places--like on the cusp of angel wings

If we allow it inspiration can be found in a host of little things.

 

True I may never paint like Henri Matisse, his was an unparalleled brush stroke.

But isn’t it nice to know he found his inspiration in that little artichoke?

 

 

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