“Growing up in South Central Pennsylvania, as a child, I was always aware of the beauty in the bucolic landscape which could easily have been taken for granted, for how common a farm setting was then. I remember the feeling of frustration in my teenage years, when suburbia, businesses and parking lots started gobbling up these large tracts of open land and historic places like the local grange building. Today I see that there are still many places in which to find these rural pastures, and often on drives through country roads, I will stop and take photos to document the barns, fields and livestock. An image, which I photographed last year, traveling in York County, became the basis for this impressionistic digital painting.” – Amy Lehr Miller

“Home is important to me, and I incorporated a toast that my father used to make to evoke the familiarity of home.” – Deborah Larkin

“Nature is the biggest inspiration for me and my artwork. Living in a city row home I find it necessary to surround myself with nature as much as possible. In addition to numerous plants and greenery I also collect framed moths and butterflies that were farm raised and collected after their natural death. These framed butterflies are the direct inspiration to my wine label piece.” – Christina Hess

“The things around me inspire me by creating love, kindness and creativity.” – Pam Hamilton

“Living abroad I know places should be very important to me and my painting. However, what truly inspires my work are people’s cultures, traditions and perspectives. It is the individual people that make me love the places where I’ve lived and traveled. I guess that is why my paintings are always of people, no matter what amazing places, architecture or landscapes I get to see.” – Tessa Guze

“When Brian and I reached the lookout deck, a great egret had just arrived and perched nearby. Balanced on one twiggy leg, she performed a ballet for us, parting her wings, coiling and twisting her neck, combing every feather with the deadly spear of her beak. Unphased by our presence, she paused only to stab at whatever wiggled through her perfect reflection. Missed it. Ah well, back to preening…Shared moments with wild birds like this are my happy place. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland in PA, is a happy place for wild birds such as the great egret, and one of my own refuges.” – Kate Garchinsky

“I am inspired by nature and its vibrant color.” – Marie Gilligan

“I like to look at a scene and I enjoy the process of drawing what I see. It is interesting to me that the places around me are constantly changing as the sun light and seasons change. Urban green spaces are a big inspiration to me.” – Maria Fitzgerald

“When I am attentive, I find inspiration in all that surrounds me… Just add water… and color.” – Carol Coster

“In a quiet moment in the Colorado mountains I found this beautiful church. I felt God’s presence in this peaceful place.” – Lauren Conrad