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Keep your eyes wide open for inspiration!

Look for a beautiful sunset. Feast your eyes on the perfection of flowers – the perfection of their colors and of their conformation. Did you realize that none of the colors in nature clash with each other?

See the world through the camera’s lens and you will be inspired by the beauty that you have chosen to record. It will also help you to focus on your subject with clarity. This will give you an appreciation for form.

Keep your ears open for inspiration!

Listen to a John Phillip Sousa march: then listen for the sound of the birds singing on a new Spring day.

Hear the 23rd Psalm word for word. Sit back and hear a Beethoven Symphony in your heart and WONDER that he was deaf. It brings me to tears and I think you will experience joy. Feel that experience; let it soak into your inner being; let it imprint on you. When you need inspiration you can call up the memory of how you felt during those moments.

Let your feelings inspire you!

Inspiration is just around the corner, it is so important to be in touch with your feelings so you will recognize it. Permit yourself to feel and then prepare yourself to express your special gifts.

As Dr. Seuss said, “There is no one more ‘youier’ than you!” Be your own best friend and be very kind to yourself. Most of us tend to be very critical of ourselves and that can strangle inspiration. Laugh at your self. Life is an amazing journey. Approach it with humor and love.

Touch others for inspiration.

Sharing your gifts with others will fill your heart and reward you in so many ways. Your cup will “runneth over” with good things. I believe that we are called on to be the very best representatives of God that we can be. We are given so much and I think the happiest people are the ones who are very thankful for what they have and who do not focus on what they do not have.

My favorite quote is from Oscar Wilde. He says, “If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things that you don’t get, that you don’t want”. It takes a little while for that to sink it, but it is so very true. Doing random acts of kindness will enrich your soul and help you realize how blessed you are.

Take time to smell the roses. Their fragrance is so sweet. It will ground you to do this. Pet a dog, love a child, do not miss an opportunity to soak it all in. Express thanks in all you do and practice healthy habits and thoughts.

If you do these things, I think you will succeed in finding inspiration. And not only will you be inspired, but you will be energized. You will be creative.

Go forth and create !

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Judy Orcutt was born in York, PA. She was always a tomboy and loved being outside. Tennis, skiing, football, swimming and exploring the local creek were the best. She actually was a synchronized swimmer and had her life saving certificate at 12 years of age. She also was given piano lessons and played the flute and saxophone. She was fortunate to have parents that wanted her to learn new skills and to this day, that is one of the most significant and important aspects of her life-the pursuit of new skills and challenges.

She was idealistic and had dreams of pursuing a medical career. So she went to pharmacy school at Temple University as a possible pre-med curriculum. During that intense period of education, she realized that being a medical doctor was probably not her calling. She found that she loved making the drawings in biology class from the microscopes and the anatomy drawing projects more than the classwork.

She practiced pharmacy for almost 40 years before pursuing her dream of an art career. From the very day she graduated from pharmacy school, she knew she wanted to to do something else. But life experiences sometimes do not allow our dreams to surface until later. Through divorce she became a single parent and had to provide for her family.

Two sons are both graduates of Penn State University. She is a 15 year breast cancer survivor and many of her designs are related to healing and encouragement.

She learned calligraphy in the early 1980’s at the local YWCA. Letters have always fascinated her and the drawing skill was reinforced. Hours and hours and hours of practice of just doing lettering ensued and she started to do projects and gifts for friends and wedding addressing, invitations, etc.. In 1995 she started to add pressed flowers to her work and this created a whole new look that was very satisfactory. Having a botany background enabled her to work on the identification of her flora and she includes that information for each of her designs.

In 1997 she developed QuilliGraphy™ which specializes in designs that celebrate life and beauty. She will tell you to never give up on your dream and to work very hard.

She is a committed church member and she plays tennis, bridge, swims and volunteers for several local organizations.

For more information, please visit quilligraphy.com

This Post Has One Comment

  1. “The Lord is my Shepherd. No want shall I know.” I wear just one piece of jewelry… a bead necklace displaying “PSALM23”.
    How simple and beautiful.
    Thank you Judy.
    Blessings 🙏🙂

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