31 paintings in 31 days

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" - Pablo Picasso - 
I came across this quote on an artist friend's website and thought how honest this statement truly is. How often are we inspired, yet the moment is fleeting and we are onto the next thing, never knowing where that inspiration may have taken us had we paid attention and given it some time and thought.
​Paying attention to the things that capture our imagination is not something we practice in daily life. Maybe we used to, as children, but as we grow older, we practice paying attention to the "important" things- schedules and cell phones and our to do lists. We get so good at this that we forget how to be inspired by the beauty and mystery all around us. 
​I'm doing 31 paintings in 31 days, and I'm learning a lot about myself in the process. I'll write about those things when I'm through and I've had some more time to let my thoughts simmer. For now, though, I'm enjoying myself. I am loving the energy that comes from creating. The feeling of time not mattering so much. It brings back flashes of childhood for me, too; being completely immersed in your imagination and your surroundings.
Do you remember how summer lasted so long because you soaked in every day-, each morning's sunlight, every lightening bug flecked evening? The smells of chlorine and hot dogs on the grill?  How when you played, the backyard became a jungle with lions behind the bushes? Or in the kitchen how the teapot became a mother to the baby tea strainer? 
​That creativity and imagination that defines childhood play- the ability to suspend the anxious mind and incessant need of busyness- that is where I want to go with my art during these 31 days. I think it's in the place of true "play" where true inspiration comes, if we're ready and listening. I'm going to try.
​In fact, I think I'd appreciate Pablo's quote more if it said; " Inspiration exists, but it has to find you - playing".